How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in English

If you aren’t quite sure what you want to do after graduating from college just yet, you’re in luck. Studying English is a great choice because it will provide you with a solid foundation in both English literature and writing. Strong writing and comprehension skills are vital to success in pretty much any field you end up going into. Pursuing an associate’s degree in English will also give you the chance to delve into topics like theatre, drama, poetry, and creative writing.

Because English is such a broad field, an associate’s degree in the field can be a very excellent tool for career preparation and success in the long run. Employers are much more likely to hire someone who has superior comprehension and writing skills. Studying English will not only give you a glimpse of its cultural influences at both the spoken and written level, it will also give you a chance to become familiar with timeless literature.

To be eligible for the associate’s degree program in English, students must have completed their high school diploma or equivalent. Furthermore, they will have to submit their school transcripts and possible SAT or ACT scores for review.

An associate’s degree generally takes around two years to complete. It can be obtained at most accredited community colleges, but if you are juggling other things in life and require a flexible schedule for school, a distance learning program from an accredited college is a great option to consider. Online learning is a great alternative to traditional classroom learning because it can allow students to complete classes more quickly, while taking advantage of many of the same resources as traditional classes, like tutoring or faculty assistance when needed. It does, however, requires potential students to be dedicated independent learners needing little to no hand-holding; after all, most (if not all) material will be taught entirely online. With that said, you would be expected to keep track of class schedule and complete assignments on your own time. The great benefit of online learning is that you can head to your virtual class in your pajamas, and essentially work anywhere and anytime that works best for you. Earning an online degree can be a productive way to balance school with other obligations, such as employment.

Common Associate’s in English Curriculum

During your two-years studying at a community college, you can expect to take the following popular classes to earn your associate’s degree in English:

  • Advanced reading
  • Poetry
  • Creative writing
  • Fiction
  • Science fiction
  • Critical thinking
  • Contemporary literature
  • Dramatic literature
  • American literature
  • World literature
  • English literature

Specific coursework may vary from college to college, but the associate’s degree program is designed to give students a brief overview of what they can expect studying English. Should they decide to move on to pursue a four-year degree, they will then be able to expand on such topics covered at a more basic level in the associate’s program. After graduating with an associate’s, students can also try looking for an entry-level position where they can apply what they have learned. The diverse variety of English classes will give students a well-rounded overview of the English subject.

In addition to English-related courses, students will also have general education requirements and electives to complete, which will vary from college to college. These classes are usually not directly English related. They are designed to give students the opportunity to explore other fields while getting a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in helping them understand real-life situations and succeed in whatever career they choose to be in. For example, students may have an introductory course in math, science, history, language, and fine arts, to name a few.

Associate’s in English Careers

Career options are endless with an English degree. When you study English, you are working on building important research, critical thinking, and writing skills. These skills are useful in pretty much any career you choose. As a result, you can take these skills with you into any job you’d like. For example, if you become a writer, chances are — you’ll want impeccable writing skills. By reading often with a critical eye, you will polish your own writing skills.

At a corporate job, you may be asked to compose professional emails or help your boss summarize a lengthy report that he didn’t have time to read. Having good research skills will allow you to observe how others write their emails and how you can compose one just as strong if not better. Additionally, being able to read and understand things immediately as you read will allow you to efficiently summarize reports and articles.

Thinking about starting your own business of some sort? Proper writing and research skills will bring you far. It’ll allow you to write great pitches, research marketing techniques and determine which one would best suit your company, communicate effectively with your employees, and so much more!

Because the job options are so plentiful and vary greatly, the salaries will as well. Depending on what you end up doing, you may be making an entry-level annual salary, or you could be making big bucks in the six figures.

If you get a better idea of what you’d like to do in the long run after finishing your associate’s, it may be a good idea to consider furthering your education in a specialized field. By doing so, you will gain more knowledge in the area you plan on making your career. With the job market being so competitive these days, it never hurts to have a higher degree!