An ambitious and hardworking student may be able to complete the degree in one academic year for MA English Online and MTESOL Online. Although, it does depend on several factors: A student would need to take 2 courses per 7.5 week session, which is a heavy workload, but not impossible if you have enough time every week to devote to studying. Also, some students have preadmission credits.

For MAS, it is recommended that students limit their classes to two or three courses in each fall and spring semester. The program may be completed in two years.

Yes, students with a MA in English can teach at the community college level. 

Yes, students can apply for PhD programs.

No, ASU Online students can only take ASU Online classes. iCourses are courses offered to in-person ASU students only.

There are two sessions per semester. Each session consists of compressed, seven-and-a-half-week courses. Please pay attention to the dates of the academic calendar. You'll see brief windows of time to drop and add classes.

Approximately 18 hours per week for a 3 credit hour online course. 

This depends on the program.

For MA English Online, MLS and foreign language reading knowledge courses (FRE 550, GER 550, SPA 550, ITA 550) are allowed. FMS courses may also be taken as electives, but they are within the English Department. It may also be possible to take courses in other departments (such as education, art history, etc), and request that these be evaluated for inclusion in the degree. We evaluate these courses on an individual basis. The program allows 6 elective credits to be taken outside of the department.

For the MAS program, FMS courses are the priority. Any other courses will need to be evaluated. Please contact your acadmic advisor. 

MTESOL Online allows 9 credit hours to consist of other LIN courses, or with prior approval, ENG courses or courses outside the English department (e.g., education, school of international letters and cultures, speech and hearing science, psychology).

Students can see all courses offered here: https://webapp4.asu.edu/catalog/. Make sure to select the “ASU Online” option when searching.

The programs have a language requirement, which requires the student to possess an intermediate level reading knowledge of a language other than English. Students will either take a translation test or a reading knowledge course.

Please contact Academic Success Advisor Elizabeth Downs for more information about the translation test. There is a $100 fee to take the translation test.

Students may also take one of the reading knowledge courses (GER 550, FRE 550, SPA 550, ITA 550) offered by School of International Letters and Cultures to fulfill the requirement. This will also count as elective credit for the program. 

International students whose native language is not English will have this requirement waived once the Plan of Study (iPOS) has been approved with a full committee.

U.S. students who are bilingual must still demonstrate a reading knowledge in the second language. To waive the language requirement, documentation or proof in the form of a certificate, a class or indication of bilingual work in a job will be required.

Some courses have permission requirements. In order to be granted proper clearance, please follow these instructions.

Some students take only one class a semester, however, to make good progress toward the degree, it is suggested that you take at least one class per session. The semester is broken into two 7.5 weeks. Students are not able to register for more than 18 credits per semester without approval from the advisor.

Continuous enrollment is required (fall, spring). The Graduate College states that a student must be registered for a minimum of one graduate credit hour during all phases of their graduation (fall, spring, and summer only if utilizing university resources or applying for graduation). Students have the option of petitioning for a leave of absence – or a "maintain continuous enrollment" request. This is submitted through the Plan of Study (iPOS) in the Petition section, and does not affect continuous enrollment. Failure to register or request a leave will result in automatic withdrawal from the program.

Note: W (withdraw) and X (audit) do NOT count as continuous enrollment. A 400-level class does NOT count toward continuous enrollment for graduate students, unless it is listed on the iPOS.

The Graduate College requires students to have a plan of study on file by the time they reach 50% of their program (five classes). The interactive plan of study (iPOS) can be completed on your MyASU page. It’s a list of your current and future classes, including any transfer classes, the culminating experience, the language requirement (if required), and your committee chair and additional member. Once approved, it is your roadmap to graduation, and a contract with the university. When you apply to graduate, the Graduation Office compares your transcript with your plan of study. If they match exactly, you can graduate. (If you have classes in the wrong semester, they’ll not approve your graduation until you submit a course change request updating your iPOS.)

You simply submit a course change request to swap out a class.

English graduate students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average each semester. In order to graduate from ASU, graduate students must have a 3.0 overall GPA, a 3.0 iPOS GPA, and a 3.0 graduate GPA. If you fall below a 3.0 overall GPA, you will be put on academic probation by the Graduate College.  

There are multiple tutoring tools offered by ASU found at Online Tutoring for University Academic Success Programs at ASU:

Graduate Writing Center – ASU’s Online Graduate Writing Center specifically serves students enrolled in 500, 600 and 700 level classes. Using Adobe Connect, this real-time, appointment-based assistance allows students to meet one-on-one with a graduate writing consultant to receive feedback on their writing projects at any stage in their development and writing process. The center is open Sundays-Thursdays with appointments available between the hours of 2pm and 10pm.

Academic Mentoring – Using Adobe Connect, academic mentors meet with students one-on-one for a personalized approach to improving academic skills such as time management, blackboard reviews, test preparation, and more. Students can make appointments through the website or by calling 480-965-9072

Smarthinking: 24 hour online tutoring

Canvas help can be found here.

No, because they are offered on different campuses (Tempe and Online).

No, the diploma will only list the degree earned.

Graduate Commencement: Doctoral candidates are hooded by their faculty directors and cross the stage when their name is announced. Master degree candidates will be hooded by one of the Marshals of Investiture, but they will not be individually recognized or cross the stage. Degrees are conferred here.

Convocation: Graduates are individually recognized and cross the stage at college convocation events and special interest ceremonies. Students receive a diploma cover at The College Convocation, and it is for both undergraduate and graduate students within The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

This information was posted on February 14, 2020. Ceremonies are subject to change. Please contact commence@asu.edu with questions.