What Can You Do With an English Degree?

If you love the written word and wish to deepen your understanding of the English language, an English degree could be right for you.

English helps millions of people worldwide communicate each day. Students with an English degree gain an essential understanding of how the language developed, functions, and continues to change.

An English degree provides students with a comprehensive understanding of linguistics, grammar, writing, and literary analysis. Enrollees explore the English language and its applications while learning about the fundamentals of the written word.

Curricula for English degrees vary, but common courses include:

Students should consider their interests and professional goals before deciding on an English degree. Undergraduate degrees in English build foundational knowledge about reading, writing, literature, and linguistics, whereas graduate degrees tend to focus on specific aspects of the subject, such as creative writing or teaching English as a second language.

An associate degree in English typically requires two years of study, during which students complete coursework in English composition, interpersonal communication, critical reading, and public speaking.

Graduates with an associate degree in English can find employment as sales representatives, administrative assistants, and teacher’s aides. The curriculum also provides a pathway to a bachelor’s degree in English or other related disciplines.

Undergraduate coursework in English builds writing, reading, and communication skills that are essential for careers in many fields. Earning a bachelor’s degree in English can lead to employment as an English teacher, technical writer, content manager, or public relations specialist. English bachelor’s degrees also establish the necessary academic foundation to pursue graduate study.

Most bachelor’s degrees in English require four years of full-time enrollment. Students complete introductory classes before moving into advanced or specialized subjects. Some bachelor’s degrees offer concentrations in literature, technical writing, or English education. Many bachelor’s degrees in English, particularly those that emphasize creative writing, also teach writing workshops.

English teachers, business communications professionals, technical writers, editors, and translators can hone their existing skills by earning a master’s degree in English. A master’s-level degree in English can also lead to college teaching opportunities.

Earning a master’s degree in English should take two years or less. Students will take lecture and seminar courses to learn about literature, writing, and English theory and practice. Many English master’s degrees have concentrations in areas such as creative writing, English education, and rhetoric.

A doctorate in English should take 4-7 years to complete, but it can take even longer depending on the research topic and the amount of funding procured. Upon passing their qualifying exams, enrollees write a thesis and work on advanced research projects in the subject.

Most Ph.D. candidates specialize in a certain area of English, such as English in a specific geographic area or time period, literary theory, or media and digital studies. Doctoral graduates often teach at colleges and universities, but this degree can also lead to a career as a managing editor, public relations manager, or media executive.

Prospective students should always ensure a school’s accreditation status before deciding on a program. Most colleges and universities in the United States hold regional or national accreditation. Regionally accredited universities are typically more prestigious than nationally accredited ones.

National and regional accreditation apply to entire colleges and universities, but some degrees and departments may have additional programmatic accreditation that is conferred by independent agencies. The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation accredits English degrees.

Every professor’s class is different, of course, but many English classes, especially upper-level classes, are run seminar-style. This means students are expected to read the materials in advance and be prepared to discuss them in depth, responding to specific and open-ended questions and bringing their own questions to the assigned texts.

Your professor will likely set expectations on the syllabus, but a good ballpark for 200-level and 300-level courses is around 60-100 pages of reading per class and 15-25 pages of polished writing per semester. For every hour of class time, I recommend my students plan to spend the equivalent amount of time on independent writing, reading, and research.

Most English classes are organized around a theme, so doing a bit of research on your professor and their publications in the field is often a smart way to get a head start on the approach they may take. However, English classes are a forum for critical inquiry, and that means asking questions. Successful students often reflect on course objectives before they read, ask questions of the texts, take notes (in the margins or in a document), and fully engage in class meetings.

Salaries vary amongst English majors based on level of education, career path, and work experience. The top-earning roles for students with an English degree are in advertising, promotions, and marketing.

Teaching English is a solid career choice for individuals with English degrees. Teaching jobs across all grade levels are projected to see strong employment growth from 2022-2032.

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