Best Online Accelerated English Degree Programs

• Many accredited colleges offer bachelor's in English online programs.
• You can explore different careers with an online bachelor's degree in English.
• Some jobs you can apply to with an English degree may also require work experience.
• English degrees emphasize in-demand transferable skills, such as communication.

An accelerated English degree online program prepares you for a career or graduate school admissions in fewer than four years. The fastest online degrees for 2023 may feature more benefits, such as lower out-of-pocket costs.

This guide details bachelor's in English online program classes and relevant career opportunities. It also explains how accelerated programs work.

Start your search for online bachelor's degree English programs by considering your career goals. Doing so will help you select the correct English degree.

Types of Online Accelerated English Degrees

Many types of accelerated English degree online programs exist. These degrees emphasize a similar core curriculum with advanced coursework in your specialty area. Your major may impact your career potential significantly.

The seven specializations or focus areas below represent some of the different types of English degrees:

• Creative Writing
• English
• Journalism
• Liberal Arts
• Reading Literacy
• Special Education
• Writing

Accelerated Online Bachelor’s in English Overview

A bachelor's in English resembles other liberal arts majors, as it requires a general education curriculum with classes in the social and physical sciences. You start an English major with classes in writing and rhetoric before moving on to upper-division coursework.

Required classes vary by college and specialization, but may include:

• Modern English grammar
• Introduction to writing studies
• Professional and technical writing
• Writing and new media
• Scientific writing
• Special topics in composition

Ways to Accelerate Your English Degree

Even if your college does not offer an accelerated English degree online program, opportunities to graduate in fewer than four years may still exist.

1. Test Out of Courses

Credit by exam lets you prove what you know in just a few hours rather than a semester. Nearly 3,000 colleges use CLEP exams to award credit. Others use school-developed exams.

Your college's admissions departments can tell you which exams they use and help you with exam preparation.

2. Earn College Credit Through Work Experience

Many colleges award credit for work experience. You submit a prior learning assessment (PLA) portfolio containing your resume, professional certifications, and a narrative describing how your experience aligns with classes' curricula.

Your PLA portfolio may reduce your time to graduation by more than a year.

3. Transfer College Credits

Many colleges let you apply outside undergraduate credit toward a bachelor's in English online program. Typical requirements include earning credit at an accredited school and meeting a GPA cutoff.

Your college's transfer advisors can help you determine which credits transfer and how long you still need to graduate.

Careers With an Accelerated Degree in English

An accelerated English degree online program can help you develop the skills necessary to thrive in many different careers. Many jobs — like those in the table below — feature a median salary much higher than the $45,760 national median.

Please note that some careers may require more than an accelerated English degree, such as work experience, a state-issued license, or a professional certification.

There are plenty of job opportunities for English majors. A bachelor’s degree lets you explore many career paths, such as editing or technical writing. These and related positions require you to use your writing, communication, and analytical skills.

With a master’s degree in English, you may qualify for a new career, promotion, or raise. Employers may require only a bachelor's for jobs such as marketing manager or author. However, they may let you substitute an advanced degree for the required work experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting an Accelerated English Degree

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in English?

You can do a lot with an English degree. For example, you can become an author or technical writer. You can also teach English abroad, an exciting career if you love traveling. Other opportunities include working as a freelance writer or editor.

A bachelor's degree in English also lets you apply to master's and doctoral programs. You need an advanced degree if you want to teach at the postsecondary level or perform original research. Work with your school's career and academic counselors to find a degree that meets your career goals.

Are English majors in high demand?

The answer depends on your career goals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 4% growth in the need for writers and authors between 2021-2031. The BLS also projects a 6% growth in the technical writing field during the same decade.

Keep in mind that unforeseen economic changes may affect your job hunt significantly. Finding a career in an unstable job market requires developing new skills to stand out. Fortunately, an English degree emphasizes writing and communication skills that are relevant to many careers.

How long does it take to get an English degree online?

A typical online bachelor's degree takes four years to complete. An accelerated program lets you graduate 1-2 years sooner if you take more classes each semester, earn credit over the summer, or transfer undergraduate credit. Other options include earning credit for work experience or prior learning.

You can enroll part-time if you raise children, work, or experience difficulty balancing coursework with other responsibilities. Taking fewer classes each semester may extend your time in school by 1-2 years.