English Degree

There are many reasons to seek a an English Degree which requires you to take classes for a few years. Online and offline programs help you prepare for the classes, take the exam and manage the costs.

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English Degree - Overview
Obtaining an English degree can be the first step to a very lucrative and positive future. A student can study for a Bachelor’s, Masters or Doctorate in English and be well on their way to an excellent career. An English Degree readies the undergraduate for a wide variety of careers and is in fact, one of the most versatile degrees to obtain. Students that study for an English Degree have far more than just a teaching track in their future; students that graduate from college with an English Degree are ready for many different jobs that fall under the umbrella of communications.

Students that truly enjoy literature will thoroughly enjoy a college career which allows them to pursue an English Degree. Yet, it is important to remember that the study of English involves far more than reading, it also involves learning how to write and speak effectively as well. Consequently, those students that intend to have a career in writing or speaking can benefit from obtaining a college degree in English. After graduation, the student will possess the skills needed to communicate effectively: skills that are in extremely high demand in today’s work force.

The courses required to complete an English Degree may vary from one university to the next and from one state to the next. Typically, English degree majors will study classic literature, contemporary literature and various literary canons, including American and British literature. English majors have the opportunity to take survey courses that will allow the student to study the works of numerous artists and after certain survey course requirements are fulfilled, English majors can then turn their focus to more specific and focused area of English study. Focused examples of such studies include medieval literature, renaissance literature, the study of Shakespeare, African American literature and Greek Mythology, as well as many other literary canons.

Along with the extensive study of literature, students working toward an English degree are required to study mathematics, science, history and other subjects to fulfill their degree requirements. Students can earn an Associate’s degree in as little as two years and then continue on to a Bachelors Degree in English. Ultimately, the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in English program makes the student quite marketable in the workforce.

Who Should Study for An English Degree?
Clearly, individuals that desire a career in communications may want to consider pursuing an English degree. Earning an English degree will help the student master writing and speaking—the most important skills in a communications career. Also, the individual that loves literature will find that studying for an English degree will allow them to be exposed to a wide variety of fantastic literature.

English majors are motivated students: a lot of study and reading is required. English majors may or may not have to take standard tests, depending upon when they enter into a university and whether or not they intend to pursue their Masters and PhD.

Believe it or not, there are many famous individuals that have earned their English degrees. Many actors, writers, singers and directors have earned their English degree. Below are several famous individuals that have attended a college, earned a degree, and established some pretty spectacular careers.

Famous actors and actresses: Alan Alda, Edward Burns, Brett Butler, Johnny Carson, Chevy Chase, Joan Cusack, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, David Duchovny, Harrison Ford, Heather Graham, Tommy Lee Jones, Christopher Reeves, Susan Sarandon, Sigourney Weaver, and Reese Witherspoon.

Famous writers and journalists: Russell Baker, David Barry, Tom Clancy, Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Theodor Geisel, and Amy Tan.

Famous directors and producers: James Cameron and Stephen Spielberg.


Deciding if an English Degree is Right for You
Studying for an English degree is not for the faint hearted. In fact, the amount of study involved in earning an English degree is tremendous. Students will be required to write many academic papers, to learn and master Modern Language Association and American Psychological Association format, to master grammar and spelling, they take basic courses in algebra, science, history, foreign language and more. Students will also be required to do an extraordinary amount of reading—so if you do not like reading, earning an English degree may not be the right course for you.

Students that want to pursue and English degree program can do so on a full or part time basis at many universities. Of course, part time study will take far longer than full time study and the amount of financial aid and scholarships that one receives will ultimately depend on the amount of time a student studies and their financial qualifications. English majors are often eligible for scholarships and they often have an advantage that other students do not have when applying for scholarships: many scholarships require good writing skills and English majors are constantly working toward honing such skills.

Course of Study for an English Degree
Getting an English degree does not have to start out as the study of English; students can earn a degree in Individual studies and then transfer to a four year university that offers an English program. A student should speak with a college advisor about the best path suitable for English studies. Often times, a student will complete an Associate degree program that covers all of the prerequisites that are required for an English degree and then transfer their credits to an institution that accepts them into their degree program. Alternatively, a student can immediately begin their studies at a four year college that offers and English Degree program and then not have to worry about transferring until they plan to move on to a Master’s program.

Students can also major in English and minor in another subject, or they can even attend college and be a double major. Of course, being a double major is a great deal of work and the student will need to fully prepare themselves for the work involved. A student ultimately may decide to major in English and minor in a subject like creative writing or psychology.

Students will find that the major courses of study, in terms of the subject in English, are English 101, English 102, British Literature 101 and 102, Multi-cultural literature, American Literature. Once the student enters into their third and fourth year of study they can begin to focus on various English subject of a particular era or period in time.

The Benefits of an English Degree for College Graduates
Possessing an English degree gives the graduate a number of benefits. First, the graduate is far more marketable than the non-graduate, consequently, it is the graduate that possesses an English degree that will have an easier time of finding work. Second, an individual that has an English degree will earn more money starting out on a job than those individuals that lack such degrees. Third, an individual that has an English degree is qualified to work in a wide variety of fields.

Suitable jobs for those individuals with an English degree include account executive positions, administrative assistant positions, and jobs in advertising. Also, students that possess an English degree can qualify for a position as a campaign manager, claims examiner, communications specialist, community relations employee, copy writer, corporate trainer, critic marketing, customer service representative, editor, editorial assistant, education director, event planner, fact checker, freelance writer, fundraiser, historian, journalist, legislative assistant, librarian, lobbyist, management trainee, media analyst, museum curator, personnel trainee, project planner, production assistant, public relations specialist, publicity assistant, sales manager, sales representative, special events coordinator, teacher, volunteer coordinator, fiction writing, novel writing and more.

Students that hold a Masters in English can teach at some two year colleges. If the graduate wants to teach at a four year university however, they will be required to obtain a PhD in English. Earning a PhD in English is difficult, but well worth the efforts. A student will be required to complete several years of study, a possible teaching internship, and they will also be required to complete a dissertation to get their PhD. Once they have earned the appropriate degree, students can then teach as adjunct and faculty professors in various universities.

Where to Get an English Degree
Students can begin their studies at a local university or they can study for English degrees online. It is a good idea for the student to review the classes offered at the university they are considering, in addition to the related tuition and fees. Also, a student should make sure that the university that they plan to study at is fully accredited and that they meet the standards set forth by the state in which the student resides.

Students should avoid diploma mills or organizations that promise a “life experience” degree for a large fee. Such organizations prey on individuals looking to take the quickest course in obtaining a degree and the degrees they offer are not worth the paper they are printed on.

There are institutions that offer online degrees in English. If a student is interested, they should contact the institution that offers the courses and speak with an advisor about enrolling. A student may be responsible for a nonrefundable application fee and there is a deadline for enrollment of each semester. What a student must realize however, is that not all credits earned at online institutions are transferable to traditional campuses. Therefore, it is important for the student to speak with the advisor of an online institution about the transferability of course credits earned.

If a student remains unsure about where to attend to obtain an English degree, they may want to speak with their friends and families for recommendations. Talk to friends and family that are in college now, or have graduated from college about their experiences with a university and see what they recommend to you. You will be surprised how helpful people can be. Further, it is not at all uncommon to see that if a family member attended a certain college and graduated from it, their children become eligible for alumni scholarships to the same universities.

Testing that May Be Required to Obtain an English Degree
Before entering college, it is recommended that the high school student takes the SATs. The SATs or Scholastic Aptitude test is a test that is scored and used by colleges to determine what students they will accept for enrollment. The higher the score, the more likely the student will be accepted into the university. Of course, returning adults may not have to take the SATs, but the do face GREs in the future if they plan to pursue their degree beyond the Bachelor’s level. GREs are very much like SATs—tests that rate the students verbal communication skills, reading, math and science skills. Although some schools do not use GRE scores as a consideration for acceptance, some do and it is important to do as well as one can on standardized tests.

It is highly advised that students take practice exams and at least an introductory course or workshop that will familiarize them with standardized testing procedures. Such workshops can give the student some helpful insight into how to successfully pass the important exams to enter college and continue their academic career.

There are also tutors available that will assist students in practicing for standardized testing. Tutors vary in price, from free to upwards of 65 dollars an hour, depending on their skill and availability. It is an excellent idea to begin preparing for such exams as early as possible.

Career Path for Those That Possess an English Degree
Communication careers are promising for those individuals that possess an English degree. The expected percentage of growth in the field of communication is almost 17 percent by the year 2010. State jobs are a good portion of the latter mentioned percentage, and the remaining jobs will be doled out in the form of management positions, analyst positions, public relations positions and jobs involving the operations of businesses.

A diverse and exciting job as a freelance writer or editor gives the English major total freedom—English majors can freelance in areas that involve advertisement, article writing, writing book reviews, writing brochures, creating magazine layouts, creating business cards, business communications, copywriting, writing editorials, writing for ezines, fact checking, writing fiction and nonfiction, ghost writing, general transcriptions, writing web content and more. In fact, many web masters and business owners are looking for skilled writers that have an excellent handle on the English language.

English majors can work for newspapers, magazines, television productions and in various areas of entertainment. Wherever communication skills are needed English major can find employment. The best thing about getting an English degree is that the degree holder is not boxed into one career or position. An English major that is interested in creative writing can simply study for an English degree and attend a number of local workshops on creative writing. There really is no end to the diversity when it comes to employing an English degree holder.

In the end, an English degree promises a bright future for the college student. By possessing a degree that offers so much diversity, the student will have little difficulty remaining lucratively employed. What is more, an English degree is applicable to a variety of jobs, so if one job is not quite suited to the student, another will be.

Financial Aid for the English Degree Seeker
Students that pursue an English Degree are often eligible for student loans to help them pay for some of their college expenses while in school. The loans have to be repaid after the student gets out of college and becomes employed. Often times the student is provided with a six month grace period after graduation to find adequate employment. In order to find out what student loans one qualifies for, they should speak to a counselor from the financial aid office of a chosen institution.

Students may also be eligible for government grants which they do not have to pay back after getting out of college. Government grants are determined by financial need and often, the financial aid department helps students in determining if they are eligible for such grants. A grant like TAP can help pay for the cost of textbooks for college and there are a variety of grants that the student may qualify for.

Scholarships are also an option for students looking to get an English degree. You can look for scholarships online and apply for them. You will need to read the requirements carefully and follow the instructions for applying. Every scholarship is different and some scholarships apply specifically to future English students. Students looking to get an English degree should attempt to get all of the financial assistance they possibly can to reduce the cost of their tuition and scholarships are just another way of accomplishing this task. What most students do not realize is that not all scholarships are based on grades—some are based on writing abilities, creative abilities and some are given solely based on financial need.


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