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English

What will I learn?

After completing an Associate in Arts degree, with an emphasis in English, you will be able to:

  • read analytically, with the ability to interpret literal, figurative, impressionistic, and creative uses of language and of ideas
  • write from an evaluative point of view, in which you express your judgments and support them with effective reasoning and evidence, drawing upon your own experiences as well as research based sources
  • speak with an effective sense of audience, purpose, and style
  • think critically through a framework of recognizing and understanding varying perspectives in order to establish your own coherent point of view
  • develop your ability to express your ideas and interpretations within group discussions

What is the occupational outlook?

One of the principles in attaining an English degree is to work with creative expression. Therefore, many of those who earn a bachelor’s degree in English enter the occupational fields of broadcasting, publishing, entertainment writing, management, and teaching.

In addition, it is common that a bachelor’s degree in English is used as a basis for graduate and professional study, particularly in such fields as law, executive management, creative writing, professors of literature, and teachers of writing.

The jobs for teaching at the secondary level are predicted to increase as fast as the average for all occupations. The jobs in postsecondary teaching in colleges and universities are predicted to increase faster than average for all occupations through 2014. Ph.D. recipients will have the most opportunity for teaching positions.1

Other jobs of teaching in English that are expected to continue to grow at the average of all occupations are English as a Second Language, adult literacy, and remedial education.

What are my options?

You can earn credits in English at HCC to transfer to a four year school toward an English major.

You can take various kinds of English courses at HCC to explore the field and consider which area of English interests you the most: literature, creative writing, composition, rhetoric, or linguistics.

You can take English courses simply to develop your ability to write, speak, read, listen, and think critically in order to support your study in other fields.


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Teachers–Postsecondary, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos066.htm (visited July 9, 2007)