The department offers courses that can help students prepare for teaching careers, for jobs as editors and writers, or for graduate work at the master’s or doctoral level. UIS students can enroll as English majors or minors by taking course work in a physical classroom or online. Additionally, the Online English Program allows students to actively participate in dynamic, diverse and interactive online learning communities and earn their degrees via the internet. The online format enables students to complete course work on their own time and at their own pace within the framework of the traditional semester using the latest networked information technologies. Online students are given access to educational resources, academic advisors and other course-related materials.

Learning Outcomes

  • Write with confidence, precision and an awareness of audience.
  • Perform sophisticated analysis of diverse literary texts in a range of mediums, including visual and multimedia.
  • Conduct professional research on a variety of academic, social and cultural questions.
  • Recognize the diversity of human experience in its many forms of expression.
  • Create cutting edge digital texts using a range of technologies.
  • Develop advanced writing, editing and critical thinking skills.
  • Understand literary theories and cultural contexts.
  • Apply literary analysis to diverse genres and periods.

Quick Facts

Format
Online, On-campus
Duration
4 years
Credit Hours
120

Accreditation

HLC Accredited with recognition for literature and creative writing tracks. Ranked for strong faculty expertise in critical analysis and writing

Calendar

Don't miss an important date or deadline

Designed for working professionals, UIS programs feature multiple start dates per year, so you can begin at the time that best fits your schedule and complete your degree quickly. View the Academic Calendar

Now Enrolling

Apply by Date:
May 15, 2025

Start Date:
August 22, 2025

Apply Today!

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Tuition & Aid

UIS is the most affordable option to earning your University of Illinois degree. Earn a world-class education for less than you’d expect.

 

Value of a UIS Degree

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UIS is No. 5 for students graduating with the least amount of debt, Midwest Region (2021).

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Top 25 best value school, Midwest Region, and the only public university in Illinois on the list (2022, 2023, 2024).

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98% of students receive aid

The average graduate from UIS will see an increase in earnings of $31,700 - $69,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.

< High School
$26,800
High School
$36,600
Bachelor's
$68,300
Master's
$87,200
Doctorate
$105,600

Admissions

Applying to UIS is simple

We've streamlined our admission process to save you time and effort. Just follow the steps below.

 

Review admission requirements

No specific admission requirements are listed at this time. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.

International students, will you need an F-1 student visa to study on campus at UIS? Please review the International Applicants site for additional information.

Complete your application

An email address is required to create an account. To submit a paper application, visit the Resources & Forms page. Find more information about what type of student you are on the Student Types page. Applying for an online program is the same procedure as applying for an on-campus program.

Send your official transcripts

Email your official or certified academic records/transcripts to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or through any of the major transcript platforms. Photocopies will not be accepted.

Submit required statements/writing sample

If you are a first-year student, a statement of 250-650 words is required for admission. We want to hear about your professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and personal experiences relevant to your choice of a specific academic program. You can upload the required documents on you're application status page.

Pay your application fee

You can submit your non-refundable application fee online, after completing the online application. Alternately, it can also be mailed to the university, payable to University of Illinois Springfield.

Domestic students: Undergraduate - $50, Graduate - $60;

International students: Undergraduate - $60, Graduate - $75.

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Voted No. 1 public regional university in Illinois
2020 - 2024

Courses & Catalog Information

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Career Opportunities

Exploring the following career paths can help you see how your degree opens up a wide range of exciting and rewarding opportunities in various fields.

  • Circulation Coordinator
  • Columnist
  • Copy Editor
  • Editorial Clerical Staff
  • Freelance Speech Writer
  • Technical Writer
  • Research Assistant
  • Promotion Coordinator
  • Production Staff
  • Advertising Copywriter
  • Advertising Media Planner
  • Continuity Writer
  • Correspondent
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Teacher, Elementary & Secondary
  • ESL Teacher Aide
  • Fiction Writer
  • Film Researcher
  • Publications Researcher
  • Commentator
  • Creative Writer
  • Digital Photographer
  • Lyricist
  • Lawyer
  • Announcer
  • Greeting Card Writer
  • Press Agent Trainee
  • Traffic Reporter
  • Story Analyst
  • Recruiter
  • Print Production Coordinator
  • Freelance Writer
  • Grant Writer
  • Radio/TV Copy writer
  • Reporter
  • Technical Editorial Assistant
  • User Documentation Writer
  • Speech Writer
  • Staff Writer
  • Writer/Author
  • Editor
  • Technical Writer
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Content Manager
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