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As an English major in the humanities, you'll spend time analyzing, reading, and writing about various forms of text and literary genres written or translated into the English language. Studying English and literature generally includes a historical approach to learning. This means you'll be spending time reflecting on various literary movements throughout the centuries, their impact on society, and how they continue to influence how we express ourselves today.

As an English major in the humanities, you'll spend time analyzing, reading, and writing about various forms of text and literary genres written or translated into the English language.

Tens of thousands of English degrees are conferred every year. Online English degrees are valuable because they can help you develop strong critical and creative thinking skills, broaden your intercultural awareness and appreciation of diversity, help explain the human condition, and cultivate your communication skills. These soft skills are imperative to navigating the workplace and problem-solving, following instructions, building relationships, communicating effectively, and leading and mentoring others. Moreover, skills cultivated in an English degree program can apply to virtually any occupation and industry.

Unlike other areas of interest that may require in-person clinical training or lab time, English programs are offered by an array of accredited schools in a fully online format. In fact, many of the best online English bachelor's degrees are available from colleges and universities you have already heard of, including online schools highly respected for their rigorous academic standards. Some schools even offer the exact curriculum and coursework to online students as they do to students at their brick-and-mortar school locations.

Those pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Literature tend to focus on the study of literary themes and their impact throughout history, as well as famous literary authors and how their writings impacted the era in which they lived. Students who pursue this degree program will also spend time delving into historical texts, writing essays, and participating in discussions with their professors and peers.

English majors take literature courses as well, but they also study grammar, linguistics, and rhetoric. Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English also means studying the means of digital communication, including through social media and various online platforms. English degrees also emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which help students become more thoughtful, careful communicators once they enter the workforce.

Earning a bachelor's degree in English typically requires four years of full-time study, but it's possible to graduate on a faster timeline. For example, some schools let students transfer their existing college credits toward this degree, which helps them save money in college. There are also accelerated program options as well as self-paced learning, or asynchronous, options that let you complete your program at your own pace.

The best online English degree bachelor's programs offer courses that adequately prepare students for the workforce. They do this by offering classes that are meant to bolster student's communication skills while building vital skill sets employers seek out in the hiring process.

Some of the most common courses for English majors include the following:

• Communications: English majors need to learn effective communication skills that will be required in their future careers. This course introduces students to various communication concepts, such as context and messaging. Students also explore the history and development of the communication profession, plus how communication issues can be discovered and resolved.
• Creative Writing: English students also need to take a creative writing course, which helps them tap into and develop their artistic and inventive side. This course forces students to put some of their most outrageous ideas on paper and use various storytelling techniques in order to bring curious tales to life. Students who take this course also learn the basic elements of most stories, including concepts like conflict, plot, resolution, and theme.
• English Grammar: Grammar is the study of the proper use of words and punctuation in the English language. Students in this course learn how to properly formulate sentences as well as the most common grammar problems and how to avoid them. In addition to online lectures, this course can also include grammar exercises and quizzes meant to help students hone their skills.
• Psychology: This course introduces students to the inner workings of the human mind as well as how psychology relates to the business world. Topics covered include the scientific method, history of psychology, and human development, to name a few. Students often walk away from this course with a greater understanding of people and how they operate and interact based on the environment around them.
• Public Speaking: English majors also need to take a public speaking course, which teaches them communication techniques that translate well in front of an audience. Since public speaking is a common requirement in a number of professional fields, this course can help students gain the confidence they need to excel in the workplace. This class is offered entirely online, so students can learn how to effectively communicate in a virtual format using learning platforms, like Skype and Zoom.

Are you still undecided about pursuing an English degree? Explore similar degrees, such as the best history degrees, psychology degrees, or journalism degrees — all 100% online. 

If you decide to earn an English degree online, you can choose from several concentrations to help you get your foot in the door in a specific industry. The following concentrations are just some examples of how you can tailor your online program to the field or industry you hope to enter later on:

• Education: This specialty prepares prospective teachers to teach English, manage a classroom, create lesson plans, and explore and apply various teaching methods. It also helps prepare students for state certification and licensure. Alternatively, a bachelor's in education is also available.
• Technical Communication: This concentration builds technical writing skills to enable students to write about technology and use technology to write. The curriculum can include editing, web design, and document design.
• Creative Writing: Creative writing concentrations encourage students to explore writing fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. If students desire to delve into these genres in greater depth, they may decide to pursue a creative writing degree instead.
• Linguistics: A concentration in linguistics helps students develop awareness and understanding of linguistics' various components, including syntax, phonetics, phonology, semantics, morphology, and sociolinguistics.

An online English degree can lead to more careers than one might think. This is mainly because English majors learn so many skills during their programs, including reading comprehension, effective communication, research skills, organizational skills, and empathy.

Some of the most common jobs for English majors include the following:

use their knowledge of the English language in order to read content and check it for accuracy and grammatical errors. These professionals are also charged with fact-checking information before publication and assigning stories based on reader preferences or current events. While many editors work for newspapers, others work for professional organizations, publishing companies, and especially digital platforms that publish content.

• Annual Median Salary: $75,260
• Job Growth: 1% (slower than average)

use their research and comprehension skills in order to study the market conditions as they relate to the sales of a specific product or service. They tend to use various statistical software programs in order to do so, and they create predictive models and reports that help companies understand who will buy their products and when.

• Annual Median Salary: $76,950
• Job Growth: 7% (much faster than average)

report the news and other relevant information to audiences — whether through the written word, radio, television, or other means. They explore topics that may be assigned by an editor or discovered on their own, and they conduct research and interviews in order to get to the bottom of a story.

• Annual Median Salary: $60,280 
• Job Growth: -4% (decline)

use their mastery of the English language in order to create how-to guides, manuals, and other types of content for consumers. This often requires them to consolidate complicated information in a way that is easy for regular people to read and understand. Technical writers may also study product samples in order to gain a full understanding of the material they need to create. While many technical writers find work in professional, scientific, and technical service industries, others work in manufacturing or publishing.

• Annual Median Salary: $91,670 
• Job Growth: 1% (slow)

create all kinds of content for clients and self-publishing, which can include fiction and nonfiction scripts, advertising copy, short stories, essays, books, digital content, marketing content, and more. They may craft a project based on an outline supplied by a third party, but they might also create entirely new content on their own. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that well over half () of writers and authors are self-employed, industries that hire writers include educational services, publishing companies, and other professional organizations.

• Annual Median Salary: $72,270
• Job Growth: 4% (average)

As you begin looking for the best online English programs, you may have a few nagging thoughts in your head. For example, is English a useless degree? And, does it make sense to pursue this specific degree program online?

Professionals with an English degree tend to find high levels of job satisfaction. 

While the value of any degree is determined by how you use it, you should know that English degrees are incredibly common for a reason. Mastery of the English language is an important skill in several important fields, including communications, marketing, public relations, and more. Not only that, but English degrees directly correlate to a number of rewarding careers, such as those listed above.

The best degree in English is the one that's affordable, convenient, and helps you meet your educational and career goals — our rankings can help you choose the best program for you. At the graduate level, consider the best online english master's programs.

There are certainly some downsides that can come with pursuing an English degree online. For example, you'll need to have a certain amount of discipline and drive to complete a program at home and on your own. 

English degrees aren't necessarily harder or easier than other degrees, but having an interest in language and literature will help. Earning an English degree takes patience and reflection to fully understand and think critically about what you are reading and writing to appreciate the nuances and meanings hidden behind the words you see on a page.

Learning online can also come with specific challenges for people who need to network and build relationships in order to stay on task. For example, it can be difficult to connect with peers when you are learning virtually and only communicating with others via message boards and online chat.

To determine if an English degree is a good fit for you, consider the following:

You may be exposed to various genres, texts, and authors — many of which may be unfamiliar and not always enjoyable. This may not be easy if you aren't an avid reader. A lot of the subject matter can also be challenging to get through and can be triggering if you've experienced trauma in your life. However, it can also develop more profound empathy for others and promote greater self-awareness.

English degree classes tend to be smaller, which can feel comfortable if you're naturally introverted. However, you also have to feel comfortable sharing your work, some of which you may think is intensely personal. Because there are fewer students, you may be asked to contribute more often to discussions and engage with others which can be difficult for some. The upside to this is that you'll have opportunities to make friendships that could last a lifetime.

You may not earn as much as other majors once you graduate. English majors earn an annual median salary of compared to $70,000 for all other degree-holders. You may also experience higher unemployment. However, your job outlook may be brighter if you apply your degree to a job in business or management or use it as the first step towards a master's degree in a more lucrative field.