Table of Contents

• What is an English degree?
• Common Coursework
• Marketable skills from an English degree
• Is an English major right for you?
• Common jobs for English majors
• Other jobs for English majors

What is an English Degree? 

An English degree program is a humanities program focusing on the language, literature, and culture of the English-speaking world. Students in this program read and analyze a wide range of texts from classic literature and contemporary media to develop critical thinking and writing skills. Over time, English majors will develop their own voice in writing. 

Common Coursework 

Coursework for every major will vary depending on the institution as well as any specialties a student may choose within their major’s program. Common coursework for English majors may include: 

• Composition 
• Creative Writing 
• Drama 
• Poetry 
• Literary Theory 
• Writing and Culture 
• English Literature 
• Shakespeare 

Marketable Skills from an English Degree 

Some of the top skills people with an English degree will develop include: 

• Writing 
• Creative Thinking 
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving 
• Attention to detail 
• Speaking 
• Communication and Persuasive Writing 
• Emotional Intelligence 

Is an English Major Right for You? 

English majors should be prepared to do a lot of reading and writing. People who choose this major should enjoy precise communication, reading and writing in their free time, have an interest in pursuing a career as a writer, or wish to develop strong communication, writing, and critical thinking skills. While many think of an English major as being a path to a writing career or journalism, the skills learned are useful to graduate and professional programs such as medicine, law, and business. English majors may also find themselves in marketing, teaching, entertainment, and PR positions. 

Common Jobs for English Majors 

Job Title	Median Salary	Description	Industry Outlook
Postsecondary Teacher	$72,440 – $123,470	Teach courses as the postsecondary (college) level in a particular field. May also engage in research in their field.	Average – Above Average Growth
Lawyer	$127,990	Lawyers represent clients in civil and criminal litigation as well as other legal proceedings. They also draw up legal documents and advise clients on legal transactions in one or more areas of law.	Above Average Growth
Manager	$97,970	General managers may oversee multiple departments or locations of a public or private organization. They formulate policies, manage daily operations, and plan the use of resources to make sure their section of the organization rules efficiently.	Above Average Growth
Secondary School Teacher	$61,820	These teachers teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school (high school) level.	Average Growth
Writer/Author	$69,510	Writers and authors prepare original written material including scripts, stories, and other materials.	Average Growth
Editor	$63,350	Editors plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material for publication.	Declining
Administrative Assistant/Secretary	$37,880	Administrative assistants perform administrative duties within an organization including drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining records, or providing information to supervisors.	Declining
Elementary School Teacher	$61,400	These teacher teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.	Above Average Growth
Journalist/Reporter	$48,370	Journalists write news stories, reviews, and other commentary for print or broadcast. They may also collect and analyze information through interviews and investigation.	Declining

Other Jobs for English Majors 

Job Title	Median Salary	Description	Industry Outlook
Copywriter	$58,560	Copywriters create written content for an organization to connect with users and/or sell products and services for one or more industries.	—
Grant Writer	$57,610	Grant writers create research proposals and assist with the application process to help organizations get funding from a grant agency or other organization.	—
Technical Writer	$78,060	Technical writers write technical materials such as manuals, appendices, and other instructions. They may also assist in designing the layout for such work.	Average Growth
Social Media Manager	$56,782	Social media managers are responsible for managing a brand’s social media channels. They may coordinate with supervisors/clients to create content and/or moderate, monitor, and respond to audience.	—
Brand Strategist	$80,599	Similar to PR specialists, brand strategists work to manage and enhance the overall brand of an organization. This role tends to be more proactive in developing and improving an organizations brand, which may include research and analysis of the marketplace and the brand’s image.	—
Public Relations Specialist	$62,800	Public relations specialists promote or create materials or organize events to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their client or organization.	Above Average Growth
Consultant	$82,000	Consultants evaluate information about an organization and research their client’s position within their industry to create plans for improvement. They meet with an organization’s leadership to communicate their findings and may assist in or advise marketing campaigns and brand development.	—