English Language and Literature (in Universities) Schools and Programs in The United States

English Language and Literature (in Universities) Studies in The United States

English language and literature, usually called simply "English" in American universities, is the study of literature written in English, from medieval and Renaissance texts to contemporary American, British and world literatures, together with writing, rhetoric and the English language itself. It is one of the most widely offered subjects in the United States: this directory lists it at around 200 schools, from large research universities to small liberal arts colleges and community colleges.

How the degree is organised

US undergraduate education is based on the liberal arts and sciences. According to EducationUSA, the US State Department's advising network, a bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, and students often declare their major only at the end of their second year. An English major therefore combines literature and writing courses with general education in other fields. Most universities award a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

English departments usually offer several tracks or related programmes. The University of Wisconsin-Madison groups its English programmes into composition and rhetoric, creative writing, English language and linguistics, and literary studies, and its creative writing courses are open to students from all majors. UCLA offers an English major and a separate American Literature and Culture major, plus minors in professional writing and creative writing. Stanford University offers a BA, an English minor, a master's and a PhD, and a coterminal MA that lets advanced undergraduates start a master's before finishing the bachelor's.

• Associate degree (two years) at a community college, often as the first half of a bachelor's
• Bachelor of Arts in English (about four years), often with a concentration in literature, creative writing or rhetoric
• Master's degree (MA, or MFA in creative writing), usually two years
• PhD, five to eight years according to EducationUSA, combining coursework, exams and a dissertation

Where to study English in the United States

Because almost every university has an English department, the choice is wide. Examples from this directory include large public universities such as The Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin-Madison, The University of California Los Angeles and University of Florida; private research universities such as Stanford University, Yale University, Duke University, Northwestern University and The University of Chicago; and smaller colleges such as Wellesley College, Dartmouth College, Albertus Magnus College and DeSales University. Community colleges such as Broward College (Fort Lauderdale) and Community College of Rhode Island offer the first two years; EducationUSA describes this "2+2" route to a bachelor's degree.

Some schools in the list, such as the English Language Institute at Syracuse University or the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ESL programme, teach English as a second language rather than literature. They are useful for students who need to reach the language level required for a degree.

Admission, English level and visa

Students apply directly to each institution, and EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months ahead. For a literature degree, a strong command of English is essential: EducationUSA states that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Some colleges and universities offer "bridge" or "pathway" programmes in which students build their English while earning academic credit, and Syracuse University's English Language Institute lists a conditional admission programme. Degree students need an F student visa, issued for study at an accredited college or university. Recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers is linked to the institution's accreditation.

Costs

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions. The public figure is the in-state rate; international students normally pay the higher out-of-state rate. At graduate level, EducationUSA notes that working as a teaching or research assistant in exchange for a tuition waiver or a stipend is very common in PhD programmes.

Careers

English graduates work in publishing, journalism, communications, marketing, law (after law school), teaching and research. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that writers and authors typically need a bachelor's degree in English or a related field such as communications or journalism; their median annual wage was $76,910 in May 2025. High school English teachers in public schools must hold a state-issued certification or licence; the median wage for high school teachers was $72,040 in May 2025.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an English degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years, a master's about two years and a PhD five to eight years.

Can I study English literature in the US if English is not my first language?

Yes, but you will need to pass an English proficiency test for admission. Bridge or pathway programmes and intensive English institutes can help you reach the required level first.

Can I combine literature with creative writing?

Yes. Many departments offer creative writing concentrations, minors or workshops; at UW-Madison, for example, creative writing courses are open to students from all majors.

What can I do with an English degree?

Common paths include writing and editing, communications, teaching (with a state licence for public schools), graduate study and law school.