Online English Degrees
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Individuals who have an educational background in English have the opportunity to embark on many different career paths such as teaching, writing, and editing. While enrolled in an English degree program, students will learn how to analyze a wide range of texts--from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens--and learn how to write according to MLA and APA guidelines, among many other things. The work environment for most occupations English majors will apply for are fairly similar. Writers and editors tend to work part time or full time in an office, either at home or within a company. Teachers work in a classroom most of the time, but depending on the level of teaching, they may also have an office where they grade papers and plan lessons. Teachers typically work full time, but this varies depending on the individual and the position.
Writers typically work as journalists, authors, freelance writers, technical writers, bloggers, or ghost writers, among a multitude of other options. This field is evolving immensely as the demand for online publications increases. Editors also work with a wide range of writing, from poetry and novels to journalistic articles. These individuals must have a strong background in developmental editing, proofreading, spelling, and grammar. English or language arts teachers provide lessons for students about composing and reading different types of literature.
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University of Central Florida
Programs:- MA in English
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What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Writers: Students learn to conduct research and write books or articles, which are then typically published by a publishing company.
- English Teachers: English teachers provide classroom or online instruction to students on language arts.
- Editors: Students learn to edit different pieces of writing for developmental, grammatical, or syntactic errors.
What degree levels are available?
- Bachelor's Degree in English: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree in English: 2-3 years to complete
- Doctorate in English: 6-7 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
It is pertinent that individuals who wish to pursue a career in the field of English hold at least a bachelor's degree in English, which will take them about four years to complete. For more advanced career options, it is suggested that individuals continue their education and receive either their master's degree in English, which will take about an additional two or three years to complete, or their doctorate, which will take an addition six to seven years to complete. It is important that during their course of study, students take time to gain experience in the field that they wish to specialize in through an internship or entry-level position. In addition to that, it is important for students to take many courses in English, literature, literary theory, and composition in order to master this field of study. Furthermore, literature circles are another great way for students to gain perspective and share ideas with their peers.
If students pursue any of these careers within the English industry and they have completed their PhD or master's in English, there aren't any other certification requirements that they need to achieve. Students who have only completed their bachelor's degree in English must attain certification by the state that they plan on teaching in if they wish to become a teacher.
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
- Shakespeare: Arguably the greatest and most influential writer of all time is a mainstay of every reputable English degree program. You will definitely come across the Bard's biggest hits, such as "Hamlet," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and "Henry V."
- Victorian Literature: This is yet another traditionally offered class that you will likely encounter multiple times throughout the program. You can expect to read about Dickens here, of course, but also look for classics like Sherlock Holmes and Dracula to factor in, as well.
- Literary Criticism: Only advanced bachelor's students take this class, which focuses on literary theories like deconstruction and queer theory. This course is pretty much standard fare, however, for master's and doctoral students.
- Literature of the Americas: This class is growing in appeal throughout progressive English programs. Authors from both Americas will be covered here, from Walt Whitman and Toni Morrison to Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Octavio Paz, and Manuel Puig.
- Poetry and Poetics: This is a fundamental class that every bachelor's English student should expect to take. Poetics is the term for the ways in which poetry is analyzed and treated with criticism.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
On-site training greatly depends on the level of English at which you study. Online bachelor's degree candidates will probably not have to show up in person in order to complete their diploma program. Those who would like to earn a master's or PhD, however, will likely need to present themselves in person in order to meet with their advisers, as well as to publicly defend their theses or dissertations.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
- Education Administration: Students in this degree program will learn to manage many different schools within a school district. They are in charge of activities, budgeting, all staff, and training new staff. These individuals are sometimes referred to as school principals and must create and implement positive mission statements that they set for their students.
- English as a Second Language: ESL instructors work with people in different cultures who speak different languages in order to promote communication so that individuals can overcome the language barrier. These individuals will work back and forth to relay their spoken words and ideas to one another. Some people do both interpreting and translating, while others work doing one or the other.
- Broadcasting: Students in broadcasting programs learn to examine a variety of data, interpret it, then in some cases, present it on the news. Sometimes they present live news, while other times their information has been documented through video tapes. They hold the important role of keeping the public up to date on current news.
