Undergraduate Study
An English degree prepares graduates to enter many different careers. Because of literature's emphasis on human values and human interaction, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of occupations including publicity, personnel, research, sales, teaching and training. Students with backgrounds in liberal studies are potential candidates for executive and management positions. Undergraduate English majors often elect to enter graduate school in library science, law, medicine, business, and international affairs, as well as English and communications. An English major has much to offer that is essential to our society and has a wide, rather than narrow, choice of career opportunities.
With a BA and completion of the Licensure Program, you can teach in the public schools at the secondary level. (CSU does not have a Licensure Program for students wishing to teach at the primary level.)
With a BA in English, you can teach English as a foreign language while living in foreign countries. An MA in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) opens more opportunities abroad, but work in third-world nations may make frequent travel back to the States difficult because of low salary scales. Work in Japan, Korea, or Hong Kong, however, may mean high salary scales.
An MA, MFA, or Ph.D. opens teaching opportunities at colleges and universities. State Licensure is not required for teaching in a college or university.
English majors find work with newspapers, publishing houses , and large companies in a variety of editing, writing, advertising, and publication positions.
Many creative writers and free-lance writers do their early work on the side while they pursue careers as teachers of literature and creative writing. Only the rarest talents, however, publish enough to generate significant royalties.
Many recent graduates have reported that they have found careers in writing and editing for various publishers, trade association or organizational magazines, newspapers, or public-relations firms. They report that what they learned about the English language and how to use it properly was the most practical and applicable side of their college education.
A BA in English is a good route to law school. High marks, good recommendations, and good scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) are required for entry. Consider taking a law-related course in Political Science or Business and speak with the Pre-Law Advisor in the College of Liberal Arts.
A degree in English with 30 hours of science will also permit you to enter medical school and may offer a slight edge over other applicants since medicine is both a humanistic and scientific field. Consider involvement in PreMedica, a CSU organization for prospective MDs and speak with the Pre-Med Advisor in the College of Natural Sciences. High marks in your courses, good recommendations from faculty and good scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) are necessary for entry to medical school.
English majors sometimes enter the business world. If you plan to get an MBA at CSU, you can save time at the graduate level by taking various undergraduate prerequisites before entering graduate school. See the CSU General Catalog for current requirements.
Many librarians have degrees in English. A Master's Degree in Library Science opens up opportunities in information and book-related fields, including company, public and academic libraries.
English (and completion of the Religious Studies Interdisciplinary Program) is a good prologue to graduate work in theology or religious education.
Good scores on State or Federal civil service exams can open a wide variety of positions to English majors. Specialized Federal exams cover still other areas. The United States Department of State, for example, offers examinations for those seeking a careers as cultural attaches in the Foreign Service.
A primary resource for English majors seeking careers or career counseling is The Career Center (176 Lory Student Center). Students can sign up to receive a national clearinghouse job information list entitled Current Jobs for Graduates: The National Employment Bulletin for the Liberal Arts Professions, published twice monthly. This information list is organized by positions in various regions around the United States. Career Services also keeps job listings in education for Pre-Licensure candidates. JoAnn Cornell (C125 Clark) is the College of Liberal Arts Career Counselor and Liaison to the Career Center.
For information about course offerings and registration procedures for the upcoming semester or summer session, please view the Rambler, the Department's student newsletter.
This information is not intended to replace your advisor or the information in the CSU General Catalog, the Class Schedule, or the Department Checksheets.
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