English Degree

Since all workplaces value good written and verbal communication skills, the possibilities are endless when it comes to careers that benefit from an English degree. Some jobs are more English-specific, such as writing, editing, or teaching, but strong reading comprehension and writing skills are an asset in many other careers as well. 

Absolutely! Many Cumberlands students major in two different academic programs. A Bachelor’s Degree in English can pair well with essentially any other major. With a required 42 credit hours, it is possible to double-major, so long as you have the time management skills to balance your coursework and personal life. 

Yes, you Can! With smaller class sizes and devoted faculty, you will learn and grow alongside like-minded peers and professors, forging unbreakable bonds. Since many English classes are the same regardless of emphasis, you will interact with the same students many times and get to know them over the next four years, creating opportunities for a supportive community during your college years and beyond. 

For literature, each class varies based on the topic and the professor. However, you will read extensively on all eras of writing and the impact it had on British and American history. You will also explore exciting topics like modern and gothic literature as well as women within the literary world. Writing classes are structured as a group workshop to facilitate collective writing and allow for advice from fellow students. You will explore countless styles, themes, structures, and sound as you dive into the depths of writing. Finally, the education classes that focus on grammatical, functional, and applicable content operate as any other class where you will solidify your knowledge of the English language and learn how to share that knowledge with others. You will perform research on a plethora of topics and strengthen your skills for essay writing. 

Neither degree ranks better than the other, but one might better suit your specific career goals. For example, a Bachelor of Science in English might be better suited for more technical careers such as office working or operations, whereas a Bachelor of Arts in English would be beneficial for areas like communications and writing. Since the only difference between the two for English is whether you take two language classes or four, it is not so much a matter of which is better, but rather how much language you wish to explore. On the job front, the two are practically interchangeable. 

Yes! There are a number of options you can explore if you're a good writer and want to either volunteer or receive work-study funding while contributing your skills to the benefit of the university and community. You can explore positions in our campus newspaper, The Patriot, our Office of Communications & Marketing (UCOMM), or our Office of Development, for starters. If you want to help others understand English better, you can pursue a job in The Learning Commons as an English tutor for fellow students.