An online bachelor’s degree in English may provide students with the skills and training needed to become proficient in communication. Students enrolled in these four-year programs may study the social, moral, and philosophical themes found in society. Coursework within these programs may include a handful of general education requirements along with electives and major-specific courses, such as creative writing, British literature, and composition.

Online bachelor’s-level graduates may either pursue entry-level employment or further their education and enroll in a graduate-level program. Bachelor’s degree graduates may find employment opportunities in journalism, education, and entertainment.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Four years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Master’s / Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 17% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online baccalaureate-level program in English may combine general education requirements along with major-specific courses and electives. In these four-year programs, students may learn how to hone their oral and written communication skills, exhibit critical thinking through language analysis, and express ideas to an audience. Core online English courses may include the following:

• Composition
• Poetry and Society
• Medieval Literature
• British Literature
• Shakespeare
• Creative Writing
• Rhetoric and Critical Thinking

Career Options

Graduates of online bachelor’s-level programs in English may seek careers in publishing, education, entertainment, media, and scientific markets. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as technical writers are expected to increase by 17% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Copywriter
• Journalist
• Editor
• Technical Writer
• English Teacher

Continuing Education

Graduates of online bachelor’s degree programs in English may decide to further their education and enroll in a master’s-level program in English. These upper-level programs may offer students a certain area of concentration, such as literature, language skills, and literacy.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook