Careers for English Majors from Missouri State
By Dr. Jane Hoogestraat
Whether your interest is in the B.A. in English, the B.A. in Writing, or the B.S.Ed. (English Emphasis), your career opportunities are varied and rich.
- The B.A. in English (Literature), our traditional liberal arts degree, is an excellent pre-professional degree for students considering careers in law, government, business, and, combined with the university’s recommended pre-medical core, health and medicine. Any student planning to continue on to a graduate or professional school (especially law, business, and medicine) in an area that does not stipulate a specific undergraduate major will benefit greatly from the classical, progressive liberal arts preparation available through the B.A. in English. The B.A. in English also serves as the necessary preparation for students who wish to obtain an M.A. in English in preparation for teaching in a private secondary school or in preparation for doctoral study in literature.
- The B.A. in English (Creative Writing) is the requisite degree for students wishing to continue on for a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing or doctoral study in creative writing. Our experience has shown that, like the B.A. in English, literature option, this degree is an excellent pre-professional degree for students considering careers in law, government, and business. Combined with a B.A. in Writing Minor, this degree also helps students prepare for careers in journalism, public relations, advertising, and any other career field that requires a combination of creativity and clear writing.
- The B.A. in Writing offers opportunities for students who wish to pursue careers in technical writing and editing, scientific writing, journalism, advertising, writing for the mass media, and public relations, to name but a few options. The technical writing faculty in the Department maintain a bulletin board with numerous opportunities in the areas of technical writing and editing, broadly defined. Many large corporations have their own research departments and even their own in-house publishing operations. A B.A. in Writing, then, especially when combined with a minor in a field from Business or one of the Sciences, may also be preparation for an entry level corporate position.
- The B.S.Ed. (currently our most popular option) prepares students to become secondary school educators, and may also serve as an undergraduate degree for students wishing to continue on for an advanced degree in educational administration.
Whatever your future aspirations, a degree in English will give you an excellent background in the liberal arts as well as specific career training. Students are urged to consult with their faculty advisor in English and with the Career Center, which helps students locate employment opportunities and internships for those who wish to gain valuable hands-on experience while in school. The English Department also hosts a computer center for students who wish to learn the most recent computer programs.
If you need further information about any of our degree options, please use our Contacts page to reach the faculty member responsible for the program in which you are interested.
