4 Best Online Master of Letters Graduate Schools

The Master of Letters (MLitt) is a degree derived from the Latin word Magister Litterarum. A postgraduate degree is usually awarded to students who take advanced studies in Law, Literature, History, Theology, or related subjects such as Arts and Humanities.

The Master of Letters degree was first awarded by the ancient universities in England and Scotland. In the United States, it is offered in at least four schools.

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Methodology:

Let’s help you make that choice! We’ve put together graduate schools that offer a Master of Letters program. Each master’s degree program was selected based on the following characteristics:

• Offers the Master of Letters degree program online or in a blended format, providing working professionals the opportunity to progress through their coursework with minimal disruption to their careers,
• Features curricula that provide students with a solid foundation in business and management skills, complemented by comprehensive coverage of critical technical skills,
• Prepares students for further education through a doctorate in a similar field or qualifies professionals for career advancement,
• Developed and taught by members of the teaching faculty with extensive industry experience as practitioners themselves,
• Features competitive tuition rates, as well as a range of federal aid and other financial assistance options that let students manage the cost of their education,
• Holds the relevant accreditation credentials, proving that the Master of Letters online programs and graduate schools meet the academic standards.

To learn more, see our Methodology page.

Best Online Master of Letters Graduate Schools

Drew University 

Madison NJ

Master of Letters

Drew University offers its Master of Letters degree program through Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Their requirements for admission include:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
• Completed application form
• Official transcripts from post-secondary schools previously attended
• Essay or writing sample
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• Once admitted to Drew University’s MLitt degree program, students are required to take the required courses, including:
  • Liberal Studies – This is a three-credit entry seminar required for Master of Letters and Doctor of Letters students. It opens your door to the multiple disciplines involved in the school’s arts and letters program. It makes you familiar with the different fields that encompass the core of the entire program:
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Literature
    • Fine Arts and Media
    • Global Studies
    • Historical Studies
    • Irish/Irish American Studies
    • Spirituality
    • Teaching
    • Writing
  • Electives – It is a 27-credit course taken from the Drew University existing arts and letters courses combined with other courses offered at Caspersen Graduate School.
  • Advanced Study – It is a three-credit course that requires students to submit a thesis. Students who choose to take the non-thesis track may take one additional elective from any arts and letters course to complete the degree.

Standout Features:

The Master of Letters degree program at Caspersen School of Graduate Studies is flexible and designed to accommodate students despite their busy schedules. When you take an advanced degree program at Drew University’s CSGS, you’ll get a chance to learn from experts and world-class professors. 

Enrolling for a postgraduate degree at Drew University’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies is an elevated college experience. The school seeks to give students easy access to everything they need.

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton VA

Master of Letters in Shakespeare and Performance 

Students who intend to complete a Master of Letters degree at Mary Baldwin University are required to attend 37 semester hours, including 28 semester hours of these courses:

• Shakespeare (3 s.h.)
• Research Methods (1 s.h.)
• Shakespeare and Textual Culture (3 s.h.)
• Tudor-Stuart History or REN 550 Social History of Early Modern England (3 s.h.)
• The Language of Performance (3 s.h.)
• Performance of the Language (3 s.h.)
• Shakespeare Pedagogy (3 s.h.)
• Directing I (3 s.h.)
• Dramaturgy (3 s.h.)
• MLitt Thesis Project (3 s.h.), and
• Nine to 12 semester hours of elective credits to complete the degree
• Students are required to maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered a student of ‘good standing’ for the MLitt program
• MLitt students are required to pass a thesis project that consists of:
  • A thesis 
  • A staged presentation of at least 20 minutes to support the thesis
  • An oral, on-campus defense before a panel of at least two members of the MLitt faculty
• An MLitt degree at Mary Baldwin University can be completed in two years. 

Standout Features:

Mary Baldwin University’s 40-credit-hour Master of Letters curriculum is built around these four major competencies: Acting, Dramaturgy, Directing, and Teaching. To be a part of reliving Shakespeare and Renaissance through literature and performance, start with an MLitt curriculum from Mary Baldwin University. 

Mary Baldwin University’s leadership and faculty commit to accomplishing one common goal – to work side-by-side and learn together every day as a community of artists.

The Blackfriar’s Playhouse, the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, is located just a few steps away from Mary Baldwin University’s campus.

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL

Online Master of Arts in Humanities

If you want to enroll in Faulkner University’s Online Master of Arts in Humanities program, you are urged to meet these requirements:

• Completed Application
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
• Transcripts from other colleges previously attended
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 (minimum)
• Acceptable scores obtained from graduate admission exams, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Exam results that are more than five years old are not accepted. Faulkner only accepts valid exam results forwarded directly to them by the testing service. 
• Three letters of recommendation coming from your former or current professors or supervisors. The letters should mention your academic performance, professional experience, and potential to complete the graduate study.  
• A 300-word statement of your goals and specific interests in the program. You should also state the academic and professional background that makes you ready for graduate study.
• Faulkner University’s director must approve your application for admission to the Master of Arts in Humanities program.
• If an application is approved, students are given an offer of admission valid only for enrolment within the given term.
• Applicants whose first language isn’t English must take a TOEFL and get a score of at least 500 to qualify for admission.

Standout Features:

Faulkner University’s Master of Arts program serves as a gateway for students whose academic performance gives them the potential to complete their graduate studies at the highest level. 

At Faulkner University, admission to its master’s degree program is considered a privilege rather than a right – even for students who meet the minimum qualifications. Their Master of Arts in Humanities program doesn’t only give you a solid preparation for doctoral studies. It can bolster your skills in writing, verbal communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Faulkner University has an average annual student population of over 3,000. Approximately 96% of these students are receiving financial aid.

Omega Graduate School

Dayton, TN

Master of Letters in Organizational Leadership

If you desire to apply for admission to Omega Graduate School’s Master of Letters (MLitt) degree program, you should comply with these admission requirements:

• You must have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university,
• You must be able to present an average grade of at least “B” in your undergraduate studies or present evidence that you can deliver what the program requires at the graduate level. Acceptable evidence includes:
  • Computer literacy
  • English proficiency supported by a valid TOEFL score
  • Prior academic work, including authored books, essays, conference presentations, etc.
• Complete an online application or request an application form at Omega Graduate School’s admission office at 500 Oxford Drive, Dayton, Tennessee 37321 – 6736,
• Have your official transcript from each college or university you previously attended sent to Omega Graduate School,
• Obtain three references to attest to your background in these areas:
  • Academic ability
  • Professional Standing
  • Moral character
  • Personal stability, and
  • Maturity
• The references you provide must be a) a former professor, B) a current clergy, and c) a personal reference. If you are applying online, you must provide the contact details of your references, such as their name, email address, and phone number, on your online application.

The Master of Letters degree at Omega Graduate School can be completed in 24 months.

Standout Features:

The Master of Letters (MLitt) degree program at the Omega Graduate School is designed to bolster your career and give you a strong foundation for doctoral study. OGS prides itself in its European tutorial method: Providing students with a personalized learning experience. Candidates for the Omega Graduate School’s MLitt degree can choose one of two areas of specialization: 1) Master of Letters in Family Life Education (FLE), and 2) Master of Letters in Organizational Leadership.

Note: We haven’t included any details about OGS’ Family Life Education Track because the school is presently not accepting new applicants for admission to this course.

Each year, all faculty and members of the Board of Regents of Omega Graduate School sign a statement of Solidarity of Faith. The school is committed to providing outstanding educational experiences for Christian adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an online Master of Letters Degree?

An online Master of Letters degree is an academic degree that a student earns primarily via distance learning or through virtual classes using computing and communication devices connected to the internet. While online education is given remotely, some schools offer hybrid programs that require students to attend classroom instructions and their online classes. Today, with a pandemic in our midst, online learning is prevalent.

The introduction of online master’s degree programs opened a new window of opportunities for working bachelor’s degree holders who aspire to obtain postgraduate education.

Graduate students are more than twice as likely to take online degree programs than undergraduates, according to the National Center for Education Statistics NCES. It means more working professionals want to enroll in online master’s degree programs to balance their school, career, and family responsibilities.

What are the Master of Letters General Admission Requirements?

A Master of Letters degree program typically has the same admission requirements as a Master of Arts degree. Students who want to enroll in this degree program are expected to have previously graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.

Students who apply for a research MLitt are required to submit a research proposal.

What does an online Master of Letters program entail?

An online Master of Letters degree program is given primarily or entirely online via computers with access to the internet. Students taking 100% online education are not required to attend their classes in a traditional classroom or on-campus setting. Their lessons are given through the internet. There are schools, though, that offer hybrid or a mix of online and traditional on-campus instruction.

A Master of Letters degree program offered online helps you complete your degree because of its flexibility. It allows you to study anytime from any place and gives you time to focus on your lessons while keeping your job.

Does online Master of Letters programs come in different types?

There are two common forms of online Master of Letters degree.

• In Scotland, the MLitt program is a one-year postgraduate degree akin to the Master of Arts.
• In England, their MLitt is a two-year research program similar to a Master of Philosophy or Master of Research degree program.    

Normally, the subjects offered under the Master of Letters degree program are Arts and Humanities. 

While there are only two known forms of the MLitt degree, something is interesting about it. Although it sounds like it is restricted only to literature, it doesn’t work that way because some schools offer it as a research degree in Law, Politics, Philosophy, History, and Theology.