Degrees in English / Language Arts

Career Options with This Degree

Getting a bachelor’s degree in English or language arts means that students qualify for a number of careers. First and foremost, many people go into teaching, as English instructors are needed at every level, from elementary school to advanced degree programs. Students can also use their writing skills to work in an office environment, speeches, writing things like technical manuals, press releases, employee handbooks, and more. The Internet is also a huge source of jobs for English majors, giving degree holders the chance to work in web content writing, ebook writing, blogging, search engine optimization, and social networking. Of course, jobs are also still available with traditional media, so a bachelor’s degree in English can lead to working in a journalism field at a newspaper or magazine.

Average Salary of Degree Holders

The sky is the limit when it comes to a bachelor’s degree in English. Entry-level office and teaching positions in this field typically have average starting salaries, which increase as students gain experience. Students can also supplement their income as a freelance writer, either through non-fiction work, short stories and poetry, or novels. As a writer, students typically make more money if they understand social networking and Web 2.0, so taking some classes in this fields, either in college or on their own, can be beneficial.

Coursework Required to Obtain This Degree

A bachelor’s degree in language arts is heavy in writing and literature courses. If a student’s concentration is teaching, they also take a number of educational courses to learn about things like curriculum planning. On the other hand, if students want to get into technical writing, they could benefit from science and computer courses, and if they want to work in an office setting, business courses prepare students for their career. The key is to supplement writing courses with courses in the field that is of most interest.

Journalism Schools and Degrees

MS in New Media Journalism	Full Sail University — The MS in new media journalism from Full Sail University allows journalists to keep their skills sharp all while meeting the demands required by today's media consumers. The degree program combines traditional methods of journalism with emerging technology. You'll learn how to produce multimedia content, use social media to engage audiences and promote your work, and publish and distribute content across digital delivery platforms. Read more about Full Sail University.
MA in Communication MA in Communication: PR MA in Communication: New Media	Southern New Hampshire University — Southern New Hampshire University offers a MA degree in communication that combines courses in communication with a solid foundation in the liberal arts. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter careers in advertising, business writing, corporate communications, journalism, and more. Read more about Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Communication	Walden University — Walden University offers a Master of Science degree in communication that combines communication theory with practical skills. This particular degree focuses on journalistic aspects of new media, including Web publishing, online video, podcasts, Web conferencing, and more. Assignments consist of exercises reflecting the material and interaction with other students taking the same course.
BA in Communications	Grand Canyon University — For the aspiring journalist, Grand Canyon University offers a BA in communications degree with three different specializations: digital film production, graphic design, and public relations. Students of the communications program are prepared to become leaders in the fields of media and communications.