Thinking about enrolling in an English degree? If you enjoy studying literature, language and history, then finding a good English degree program might be your first step to a satisfying career in the field that you enjoy.

An English degree is a good choice of study for those with a passion for literature. Literature is a broad area open to different interpretations, and the passion for literature, on top of a well-fed hunger for reading, will be the driving force for any English major.

Studying English as a major, however, is different from taking a single English subject in college. The program entails reading various works, usually in diverse forms of literature – plays, poetry, novels – in almost any period. One advantage in this aspect is that much freedom is given for you to choose which works of literature you might want to read and study. There are many of these to choose from, depending on which genre you particularly favor, and literature is not short on choices. You may choose to study Shakespeare’s plays, science fiction, contemporary poetry, and many others which may take your fancy.

The program will require a certain number of readings, as well as follow-up exercises on them. The course will train you in reading techniques; you will learn to dissect literature and analyze the details as well as its entirety, as opposed to merely skimming half-heartedly through pages of text. English majors will analyze not only the content of the text, but also its historical background and the context in which it was written, and take into consideration literary theory in analyzing different aspects of literature. An English degree program develops critical thinking in its students, and enhance their abilities to apply context in their interpretation of literature.

Although this might sound as a largely individualized form of study, an English degree program also involves class discussions, allowing students to share insights and ideas regarding a piece of reading. Lecturers will outline modules to provide a stable learning structure, as well as to provide guidance. Guide questions will also be asked for follow-up on reading assignments, and unlike other courses, there is a large berth given in terms of interpretation. In other words, there is no right or wrong answer, and teachers are more open to new and contemporary ideas.

Possible careers
Not many people see green pastures in an English degree, but jobs are out there for those who know where and how to look. Being able to read analytically and think critically and thoroughly are essential skills that one needs in any form of employment. There are lucrative careers in teaching, especially if you decide to take an advanced study in English, such as a masters or doctorate degree. One may also consider a career as a researcher or a journalist, as these jobs entail a great deal of digging for facts, as well as being able to structure them accordingly, and then communicating the result effectively to an audience.

University of Maryland University College / UMUC Online University of Maryland University College is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is world-renowned for its commitment to making higher education accessible to adult learners. UMUC holds the highest honor given in Web education: the Sloan Consortium Award for Excellence in Institution-Wide Asynchronous Learning Network Programming. The university has won many other awards for its online programs as well, most recently for having the Best Distance Education Course as determined by the Maryland Distance Learning Association. Bachelor of Arts in English UMUC's Bachelor of Arts in English produces graduates with demonstrated skills in literary analysis, critical thinking, and writing. These skills prepare students majoring in English for careers in education, law, writing and publishing, journalism, public relations, business, and management. Bachelor of Arts in English

Southern New Hampshire University Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE), Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

SNHU's educational philosophy challenges students' intellectual potential and prepares them for professional lives in an ever-changing and increasingly interconnected world. It provides a supportive and close-knit learning community, delivering engaging instruction in a flexible variety of formats. Students develop the knowledge to understand a complex world, the skills to act effectively within that world and the wisdom to make good choices. They do so within a community of teachers, staff and peers that is encouraged to add its scholarly, creative and pedagogical contributions to the larger social good. Bachelor of Arts - English Language & Literature Become a critical thinker, writer and speaker and an attractive prospect to employers with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU's degree in English language and literature prepares you for a wide variety of careers by giving you the skills you need to stay competitive.?Beyond the traditional roles of writers and teachers, English majors also go on to become doctors, lawyers, corporate executives, museum curators, historians, consultants, politicians and much more. Course offerings include world literature, writing workshops, literary theory and Shakespeare. 120 credit hours are required to complete this program. Bachelor of Arts - English Language & Literature

Grand Canyon University Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association. Ken Blanchard College of Business, is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs to offer: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing; Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The prestigious Christian university is regionally accredited and is recognized as offering some of the best online education programs in the nation by noteworthy sources including Fortune Small Business, Technology & Learning Magazine, Fox.com, and more. Grand Canyon University offers online and campus-based bachelors and master's degree programs through the Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts. GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students as well as the working professional. BA in English Literature The English Literature Program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and professional competence to communicate effectively in written and oral discourse. They also gain a wider knowledge in American literature, English literature, linguistics, grammar, and the history of English. BA in English Literature

Ashford University "Ashford University® is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. (www.ncahlc.org)."

Earn the Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree you’ve always wanted.Pursue a course of study that covers the full spectrum of modern knowledge – from eMarketing and Cognitive Studies to Sustainable Enterprise Management. BA/Social Science - English/Language Arts Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (BA/SS) degree from Ashford University and develop a sound understanding of the society we live in - individuals, families, communities, governments, and cultures - from various perspectives. Take a multidisciplinary approach to social sciences where different outlooks are combined and applied to real world issues. You can transfer up to 12 approved credits of English/Language Arts coursework to qualify as your concentration in the Social Science degree program. Your passion for the English language will supplement your studies in Social Science resulting in a well-rounded degree. You'll be glad to know that you can transfer in these approved credits no matter when you took them so the credit you've already earned will not go unused. You'll graduate from Ashford with a dynamic degree that will enhance your opportunity for promotion within your chosen field. BA/Social Science - English/Language Arts

Nova Southeastern University Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic, not-for-profit independent institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction offering several of its degree programs through distance education delivery systems. Many of the University's distance education classes use the traditional classroom setting. Others use telecommunication technologies exclusively, or in combination with a classroom setting. In addition, distance education students have access to educational support services through the Davie Campus, such as the electronic library, the Internet, and computer software on central servers. Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - Elementary Reading The Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) degree program has been designed by Nova Southeastern University to meet the needs of busy classroom practitioners by linking theory to best practices in the classroom. As you learn from today's leading educational theorists, master teachers will model and reflect on best practice strategies that you can begin to implement and develop as part of your daily classroom repertoire. The M.A.T.L. degree program is composed of integrated curricular blocks, each consisting of six graduate credit hours. Each block contains multi-dimensional modules that cover specific academic subject areas. Course concepts are reinforced by combining peer interaction, best practice videos and active applications in a problem-based learning framework. Video and online distance education technologies are used to create a productive and enriching educational experience for each participant. This degree program is a 30-credit-hour sequential curriculum, which can be completed in only 14 months. There are four 10-week terms and one 8-week summer term; courses are configured in blocks of six credit hours each. The Elementary Reading specialization focuses on primary reading strategies and language. Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - Elementary Reading