2023 Best Online English Degrees

Overview of Online English Degrees

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.

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.

Over 50,000 individuals earned English degrees in the U.S. during the 2019-20 school year, including the following graduates:

• 38,000 who earned bachelor's degrees
• 7,900 who earned master's degrees
• 1,300 who earned doctoral degrees
• 3,400 who earned associate degrees

Can I Get an English Degree Online?

Unlike other areas of interest that may require in-person clinical training or lab time, the best online English programs are offered by an array of accredited schools in a fully online format. Many of the best online English bachelor's degree programs are even available from colleges and universities you have already heard of, including online schools that are 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.

This means that, yes, you can absolutely earn a bachelor's degree in English online and even on your own schedule, potentially. That said, you'll want to take the time to compare the best online English programs as well as the different degree types available in this field of study.

What Is the Difference Between a BA in English and BA in English Literature?

How Quickly Can You Get an English Degree?

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 existing college credits they have toward this degree, which helps them save both time and money. 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.

Also, note that many accredited institutions of higher learning take additional steps to make getting started easier, such as not requiring specific college entrance exams or a minimum GPA to apply.

Common Classes in an English Degree Online

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:

English Degree Concentrations

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:

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in English?

An online English degree can lead to more careers than one might think and in many different industries. This is mainly due to the fact that English majors learn so many skills during their programs, which can include reading comprehension, effective communication, research skills, organizational skills, and empathy.

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

Benefits of Choosing an Online English Degree

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?

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.

Professionals with an English degree tend to find high levels of job satisfaction as well. For example, Career Explorer reports that authors experience "very high" levels of job satisfaction overall. In fact, job ratings from current authors put this job in the top 7% of all careers combined in terms of on-the-job happiness. Other English major jobs with high levels of job satisfaction include editors and television writers.

With all this being said, 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.

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.

Is an English Degree a Good Fit for Me?

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 to you 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 $51,000 compared to $60,000 for all other occupations. You may also experience higher unemployment. For example, a 2018 report published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that English language and literature was the only field of study where bachelor's degree-holders experienced lower-than-average salaries and higher-than-average 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.

FAQs About Online English Degrees

What Else Should You Consider?

There are several factors to consider when choosing an English degree program, and we've identified some of the most critical to help you get started.

Online vs In-Person

Online colleges can be convenient and affordable and provide scheduling flexibility because classes are often asynchronous, allowing you to participate at any time. On-campus programs are more structured because you have to be on campus at certain times throughout the week, which may be difficult, but it also can be fun if you want to participate in campus life.

Accreditation

Institutional accreditation is crucial because it makes transferring credits back and forth between other accredited schools easier. Additionally, employers who require degrees often prefer they are from accredited institutions, and it's a requirement for federal financial aid. An English degree program may also be programmatically accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

Entrance Exam Scores

Acceptance into schools may depend on your SAT, ACT, GMAT, or GRE scores. For example, the Ivy League schools, such as Harvard and Yale, require exceptionally high scores, while a public state university may accept lower scores or waive the requirement altogether. Therefore, your score on these entrance exams may determine where you're accepted.

Graduation and Retention Rates

Higher graduation and retention rates may reflect how well schools treat students beyond their initial recruitment efforts. It's great if a school can entice students to apply and enroll, but it's even better if they can keep them there through graduation. You can research these rates at the College Board or College Scorecard.

Student Reviews

What others have to say about their experience with a program can speak volumes. Student reviews can offer insight into the quality of instructors, the rigor of a program, and the overall university experience.