Annamalai University offers a Distance Master of Arts in Tamil. This program is a 2-year postgraduate program that prepares students to take a deep dive into the rich literary traditions of Tamil. The traditional literature that continues to impact Indian life today is called "Classic," and Tamil Nadu has a distinct linguistic heritage. Graduates of Annamalai University can get a Distance Master of Arts in Tamil with no need to relocate or leave their place of employment within the state.

The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) was established by the UGC-DEB (University Grants Commission) to give students the same educational experience as full-time students. Therefore, graduates of the CDOE will be able to compete on equal terms with graduates of full-time Master's programs when applying for jobs, taking PhD courses, and taking the NET and SET exams.

The CDOE program uses e-books, print texts, video lectures, and weekend classroom sessions at locations across the country to teach about all forms of Tamil literature from the ancient Sangam poems to the epics created in the Middle Ages to the Tamil Renaissance. The courses also teach students how to read and appreciate Tamil literature, how to translate literature from English and Tamil into other languages, and how to write creatively in Tamil. Many graduates find employment as teachers, in media and publishing companies, or in cultural institutions, and many have stable employment with governmental agencies. The low fees and flexible exam dates for this program make it feasible for adult students who currently live in India, including in the Delhi National Capital Region, to complete this degree.