Master in English
If you want to become a writer or a teacher, holding a degree in English may help. A variety of degrees programs are offered in English that may help you develop expertise in this language. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of technical writers as well as teachers is anticipated to grow between 2012 and 2022. Both regular and online schools offer degrees in English. You can work towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in English and learn essential skills and knowledge that can be useful for several career paths.
Master in English
A master's degree in English may require 1-2 years to complete. The duration of the program depends on the enrollment status of candidates however. A master in English can be useful for students who already who a bachelor's degree and want to advance their knowledge. This degree can also be used as a stepping stone for further studies – it can be helpful for those who intend to pursue a PhD in English.
This program provides students with the skills and knowledge that may prove useful for careers in writing, editing or teaching. The coursework in the master's degree may include a variety of topics. Students may choose to pursue courses in communications, math, social sciences and physical sciences. Classes may also available in poetry, advanced reading, creative writing, American English and world literature, fiction, grammar, linguistic communication, persuasive and argumentative writing, literary analysis and criticism.
Students may also take courses in contemporary and dramatic literature. A master's degree in English may also focus on the roles of gender and ethnicity as defining factors in literary production and analysis while others may cover topics in British literature within an historical and theoretical framework.
Online Degrees in English
There are some schools that offer English degrees online while others offer hybrid programs – students can take some courses online and others in a nearby campus. Though students in the online degree programs are not physically present in the classes, they can participate in group discussions and stay in touch with instructors with the help of several online chat forums, software, emails and more. The distance learning programs may allow students to electronically exchange ideas and questions. Students may complete their program from the comfort of their home or any other location. Teachers, writers, journalists or editors seeking to improve their skills and knowledge may pursue such a degree online that would help them keep up with their professional commitments alongside their educational goals.
Admissions Requirements
To pursue a master's degree in English, students may be required to hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Candidates may also have to appear for an interview and submit letters of recommendation along with a statement of intent. There may be other additional requirements as well.
Employment Opportunities
Students with degrees in English may find jobs in a variety of settings including education, business, communications, journalism, and more. They may become technical writers, editors, reporters, teachers, correspondents, or broadcast news analysts. Their income is subject to location, degree level and experience. According to the BLS, the median annual wage of technical writers was $65, 500 while broadcast news analysts earned $55, 380 in 2012.