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Indiana University Online

Literature, Graduate Certificate

Acquire advanced teaching skills and move up in your career with a Graduate Certificate in Literature from IU Online. Gain expertise in the core principles of literature in this fully online, flexible program.

Course Delivery: 100% Online

Total Credits: 20

In-State Tuition Per Credit: $350.00

Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit: $490.00

Cost of attendance may vary by campus. View the total cost calculator

Degree Overview

Get better at teaching your students how to read, analyze texts, and write literary analysis in the flexible and fully online Graduate Certificate in Literature. Develop a fluency with current literary debates and theories of instruction.

As a student in this program, you’ll study contemporary theories on the pedagogy of literature. You’ll learn how to create reading and literary analysis strategies for your students.

You’ll graduate with an Indiana University certificate respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy personalized support services throughout your academic journey.

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  1. A bachelor's degree
    To enroll in this program, you must either possess a B.A. in English (or related bachelor's degree in education with an English specialization, concentration, or outside area) or two years of secondary teaching experience in literature or composition classes.
  2. 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes: 
  • Official transcripts
  • 250-word personal statement explaining background and reasons for entering the program
  • TOEFL scores (international students only) 
Application Dates

Fall semester: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer I semester: May 1

Summer II semester: Jun 15

Note: This program is not eligible for financial aid.

Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Literature prepares you for such careers as:  

  • Literature dual-credit teacher (high school) 
  • Literature instructor (community college)

The Graduate Certificate in Literature is ideal for those who want to teach dual-credit courses and who need to meet Higher Learning Commission dual-credit qualification standards. These standards require teachers wanting to teach dual-credit courses to hold either a master's degree in their area of instruction or a master's degree in another discipline (such as education), plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.

  • If you hold a master's degree in another discipline, you can meet HLC standards by completing the 20 credit hour Graduate Certificate in Literature. 
  • If you plan to pursue the IU Online M.A. in English, you may apply the 20 credit hours from the Graduate Certificate in Literature toward the master's degree.

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Literature, complete a total of 20 credit hours.   

Requirements are broken down as follows:  

  • Literature core courses (12 credit hours) 
  • Two literature elective courses (8 credit hours) 

NOTE: If you choose to pursue the IU Online M.A. in English, these certificate courses may apply to your degree requirements. Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Literature does not constitute admission into face-to-face graduate programs in English.

Core
Core Classes for the Literature Graduate Certificate
Course Number Course Name Credits

ENG-D 600 –OR– ENG-G 655

History of the English Language

4 Credits

ENG-L 553

Studies in Literature

4 Credits

ENG-L 503

Teaching Literature in College

4 Credits
Elective
Electives for the Literature Graduate Certificate
Course Number Course Name Credits

ENG-L 500 / ENG-L 600

Any two ENG-L courses at the 500/600 level

8 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

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