English Major

• What is English?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in English?
• What Courses Do English Majors Take?
• List of English Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for English Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is English?

English majors often specialize in one areas such as literature, writing, linguistics (the study of language development) or secondary teaching. Literature majors take, for instance, courses in American and British fiction, poetry, and drama from all periods. Writing majors develop their skills and interests in creative writing and nonfiction prose. Linguistics majors concentrate on language theory and on the specific practices of English. Majors who focus on secondary teaching enroll in courses aimed at preparing students to teach in elementary, middle or high schools.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in English may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

African-American Literature	American Literature
Comparative Literature	Creative Writing
English Composition	English Language and Literature
English Literature	Non-Western Literature
Technical and Business Writing	Women's Literature

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What Kinds of Students Major in English?

Typically, students who enjoyed and did well in English in high school consider this discipline as a major. Excellent reading and writing skills are important, as is an interest in discussing the ideas of others.

Is English the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!

What Courses Do English Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for English majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

The Novel (Western/European/Modern American/Japanese/Latin American/etc.)	Composition
Creative Writing	Drama
English as a Second Language	International Fiction
Language and Linguistics	Literary Theory and Criticism
Poetry	Shakespeare
Teaching English	Women Writers
Writing and Culture

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List of Potential Jobs in English

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Advertising	Arts Management
Business	Editing
Public Relations	Publishing
Teaching	Technical Writing and Reporting
Writing	Writing Teacher

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What is the Median Salary Range for English Careers?

U.S. Median Salary(starting):$37,800

U.S. Median Salary(mid-career):$66,900

Note: These numbers are national averages so you could make more or less than these amounts. Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in English

MyMajors complete list has 1,495 schools in the USA with a major in English.
-View the national listing!

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For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their programs listed on MyMajors, contact for details.