English Degree Online

What is English?

Students who major in English study a wide variety of literature. They read, analyze, discuss, and write about literature from many different time periods and cultures. They also practice their own writing and learn to compose for a variety of reasons and audiences.

Is English a Good Major / Degree for Me?

Do you really love to write? Do you really love to read? Are you good at working independently? Are you a strong communicator? Do you love literature? Do you enjoy your high school English classes? Do you enjoy classroom discussions? Do you enjoy doing research? Do you enjoy plays, movies, and poetry readings? If so, you might be destined for an English degree!

High School Classes Needed for an English Degree in College:

• 4 English Credits
• 3 Math Credits
• 3 Science Credits
• 3 Social Studies Credits
• At least 2 Foreign Language Credits
• If your high school offers the following courses, take advantage!
  • Creative Writing
  • AP English Language
  • AP English Literature
• If your high school offers the following co-curricular opportunities, take advantage!
  • Speech Team
  • Debate Team
  • Drama/Theater Club
  • Poetry Out Loud
  • Yearbook Staff
  • Foreign Language Club

Common English Courses in College:

• American Drama
• American Short Fiction
• Business Writing
• Chaucer and Medieval Literature
• College Composition
• Contemporary American Fiction
• Editing and Document Design
• Literary Analysis
• The Nature of Story
• Persuasive and Analytical Writing
• Reading Poems
• Research
• Technical Writing
• Writing Creative Nonfiction
• Writing Fiction
• Writing Poetry

Similar Degree Programs You Might Want to Explore:

• Classics: the study of the literature and languages of Ancient Rome and Greece
• Communications: the comprehensive study of the many ways in which people share information
• Creative Writing: the study of creating poems, fiction, nonfiction, scripts, mixed media art, and the avante-garde
• English Education: a course of study that prepares individuals to serve as English teachers
• Journalism: a course of study that prepares students to communicate the news
• Linguistics: the scientific study of language and its structure
• Literature: the study of written works, literary movements, and the history of literature
• Peace Studies: the study of war, conflict, peace, and nonviolent conflict resolution
• Theater: a course of study that prepares students for professional lives in theater and related fields

English Careers:

English majors have gone on to work as:

• Copywriters
• Creative Writers
• Editors
• Journalists
• Literary Agents
• Publishers
• Teachers
• Technical Writers

In order to work as an English teacher in a public school, one would need to pursue state certification.

In order to teach English at the college level, one will need a graduate degree.