English Major
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?
MyMajors.com cannot pinpoint your interests
beyond recommending this general major. Various specializations
related to this major may be offered by colleges and universities.
These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest
to you. A few of the specializations related to this field
include, but are not limited to:
American
Literature |
Comparative
Literature |
Creative
Writing |
English
Language and Literature |
English
Literature |
English
Composition |
Technical
and Business Writing |
Non-Western
Literature |
Women's
Literature |
African-American
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.
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What Courses Do English Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for 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.
Composition |
Creative
Writing |
Drama |
Shakespeare |
Language
and Linguistics |
Literary
Theory and Criticism |
English
as a Second Language |
The
Novel (Western, European, Modern American, Japanese,
Latin American, etc.) |
Writing
and Culture |
International
Fiction |
Women
Writers |
Poetry |
Teaching
English |
|
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What Types of Positions do English
Majors Take After College?
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.
Writing |
Editing |
Teaching |
Advertising |
Publishing |
Public
Relations |
Writing
Teacher |
Arts
Management |
Business |
Technical
Writing and Reporting |
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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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Related Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
For information on options available
to campuses wishing to see their majors listed
on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year College Curriculums to
Consider
Suggest to your two-year college
advisor that their institution's majors be included
to show you their course requirements and unique
resources. Two-year college representatives should
contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
