Best Programs for Online Degrees in English and Humanities

Students enrolled in East Tennessee State University's online Bachelor of Arts in English are required to select one of two 36-hour tracks. The teaching track prepares adults to work as instructors or writing coaches. With the non-teaching track, students prepare for a variety of careers, such as public relations specialists, copywriters, novelists, non-fiction book authors or television scriptwriters. The literary festival and author discussions are opportunities to explore literature and creative writing alongside other professional writers. Course catalogs, transfer information, alumni contacts and financial aid are accessed via Gold Link. Gold Mail and Desire 2 Learn connect students and professors. Live videos, embedded audio recordings and exams are located within Desire 2 Learn.

Campus-based department faculty and instructors teach all online courses in the University of Illinois at Springfield's English undergraduate degree. The program maintains the traditional semester timeframe but allows students the flexibility to complete coursework on their own time, as long as they are turned in by the deadline. Students must have their general education requirements completed prior to enrolling in this program. The online English program admits students twice per year for the fall and spring semesters and students have full access to campus resources such as career services, technology assistance and tutoring.

Williams Woods University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Interpretation Studies in American Sign Language. This degree provides the background students need to work as an ASL-English interpreter. The 8-week courses offer start-and-stop flexibility so students can work at their own pace while still fulfilling personal responsibilities. Graduates are proficient in ASL and eligible to sit for National Interpreter Certification administered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. The degree also pairs with WWU's education and behavioral sciences majors.

Students can pursue the Bachelor of Science in business administration with a focus on either general business or on hospitality and tourism management, both offered completely online. Both concentrations include classes in finance, accounting, marketing and management. The business concentration then focuses on strategies in advertising and marketing, consumer and organizational behavior, and human resources, while the hospitality concentration delves into subjects specific to the industry, such as food and beverage operations and meetings and conventions. Graduates of this program may go on to work at cruise lines, resorts, airlines, amusement parks, restaurants, hotels and casinos.

Flexibility is available to busy adults with Fort Valley State University's online Bachelor of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing. Although four years are needed to finish the program, opportunities for technical writers are expected to grow. Technical writers are sought by a variety of corporate, small business and nonprofit clients to develop guidebooks, user scripts, call center questions, answer guides and school textbooks. Professional writers interview business leaders, politicians, community leaders and local residents to get details on major and minor events to cover in newspapers, magazines and journals. Brightspace, eCore and Desire 2 Learn are access points to registration, the online library, bookstore, video lectures and student services such as career counseling and academic advising.

Marylhurst University's online bachelor's in English literature and new media is a unique program that brings together literary studies and digital media. Not only do students study literature and writing, they also explore how these disciplines are impacted by the changing technology in our society. While this is an online program, students do take two three-day campus visits for an orientation and a summer seminar. Students create digital projects in courses that focus on digital storytelling, maps and literature, hypertext and graphic novels. The same instructors teach both the online and traditional on-campus classes, so students have the same quality of instruction no matter where they attend.

Central Washington University's online Bachelor of Arts in English degree includes a professional and creative writing concentration. The professional and creative writing segment of the degree is a 74-credit specialization. Two English courses must be completed before students are accepted into the program. Additional required prerequisites are two years of high school foreign language or one year of college level foreign language. Selected courses in the degree include Principles of English Studies, Writing and Editing for Publication, Poetry and Poetics, and Introduction to Professional Writing. Canvas is a single sign on system that the school uses to house class schedules, projects, tests and student support resources.

The online Bachelor of Arts in English Writing from the University of Denver provides skills outside of the traditional degree program. Students learn to work independently, manage their time, research written works, develop critical reasoning and analysis, and think creatively. Class sizes are small with only about 17 students per faculty member, allowing students frequent opportunities to interact with their professors. The online degree mirrors the on-campus program, so students may choose to take a traditional course from time to time throughout their program. Graduates go on to careers in entertainment, publishing, government and business.

Aspiring technical writers can gain the degree and training they need in a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing from Old Dominion University. The online experience at ODU follows the university's regular academic calendar, and classes are offered both live and asynchronously. Most assignments are submitted via Blackboard, the online course management system, and web conferencing allows students to make presentations in real time. Students may transfer up to 90 credit hours and they are encouraged to take a 10-question assessment to determine if ODU and online learning are the best choices for them.

Students who pursue an online English degree at Mercy College are prepared to write, to analyze and comprehend text, and to speak effectively. These basic communication skills are important components for preparation in nearly every career. While all students take English literature survey courses, elective courses include the Bible as Literature, Literature and Psychology, Black Atlantic:Lit/ History, Introduction to Playwriting, Applied English Grammar and Publicity Writing. Applicants to this program must have taken two prerequisite English courses and they may transfer up to 90 credits from another institution, depending on the type of institution.

Opportunities to learn and gain skills to succeed at different writing-focused careers are available through Clarion University's online Bachelor of Arts in English degree. Expanded opportunities are possible through concentrations like writing, creative writing, literature and professional writing and rhetoric. Public relations, advertising, marketing, editing, script writing and technical writing are types of careers that the degree prepares students for. It takes 120 credit hours to graduate. MyClarion is the main interface that students log into to retrieve class assignments, receive and send campus email, register for classes and review their school accounts; Eagle Mail, Desire 2 Learn, Clarion Career Connections and CU Connect are other available tools. It's through these tools that students participate in student organizations and sign up for career fairs.

The online Bachelor in Professional Writing from Missouri State University helps students develop writing and computer skills they can apply toward a career in writing, editing, publication production, and project management. Students learn in a self-paced environment using chat rooms, discussion boards and the school's online course management system. The degree requires a minor or second major, which students can complete online or through a combination of online and evening courses. Students have access to career counseling as well as other services that on-campus students receive.

Regent University has a diverse online bachelor's degree in English with a number of concentration options - biblical studies, communication, government, French, history, Hispanic studies, secondary education, Spanish and creative writing. Throughout the program, students grow to understand and articulate their Christian worldview through reasoning and communication. Developing reading, writing and thinking skills helps students become more marketable in the workforce after graduation. Graduates go on to careers in journalism, education, ministry and the performing arts. Students access course materials through Blackboard and can log in to participate in class discussions and submit assignments when it's convenient for them.

In National University's online Bachelor of Arts in English, students study literary analysis, diversity, critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills through the study of literature, composition, language and linguistics, and communication. Students interact with peers through email and online chat programs and National's unique student concierge service ensures that students stay on the right track. Prospective students can preview an online course to see if the format and structure is a good fit for their learning style. This degree prepares students for a variety of careers including teaching, media and writing. Many students also go on to graduate work or professional studies.

Students in the University of Maryland University College online bachelor's degree in English program study literature and writing to improve cultural literacy. Students learn gain analytical, critical and communication skills while in the program, preparing them for careers in education, law, publishing, public relations, media or business. UMUC's Learning Experience Online offers an interactive calendar to track assignments and deadline, access to course materials on a smartphone or tablet and audio messaging that provides students with fast access to instructor feedback.

An online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities-English provides a liberal arts education that's valuable in a wide range of careers, such as advertising, education, public relations, government and business. Discussion groups and lectures are delivered in narrated slides rather than traditional brick-and-mortar classes. Online students at the University of Houston-Victoria can attend class and access materials at any time that is convenient to them with access to support staff members who can help throughout their program. A student success center also provides assistance through a peer education program and online tutoring.

The broad educational base offered by a degree in English can lead to careers in writing and editing books, developing content for corporate marketing departments, or conducting research for journals or consumer periodicals, among many others. With a concentration in literature and creative writing, the online Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Antioch University in Los Angeles explores classic and American literature, contemporary writings and language development; theater, radio and television writing also fit into the studies. A virtual writing center is available for students to get support with projects.