English

Language is Power

Employers will always need people who can tell a story and whose gifts can be applied well beyond the classroom. In the English degree, you will read inspiring literature and explore the connection between reading, writing and thinking as you prepare to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in English. Courses in British, American and World Literature are combined with electives in foreign languages, philosophy and religion, as well as classes in poetry, fiction, scriptwriting and memoir which enable you to earn a Creative Writing certificate while completing your associate’s degree.  

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary – est. salary $94,251*
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists – est. salary $70,629
Proofreader or Copy Markers – est. salary $52,579
Technical Writer – est. salary $85,739

 
**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
map animation where the the Community College of Philadelphia is centered, the map zooms out to show the surrounding counties highlighted representing the areas of job and career growth.
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Transfer Opportunities

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the English degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition 3 credits English Majors should take ENGL 190 concurrently with ENGL 101 Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
ENGL 190 - Introduction to Literature 3 credits Fulfills Gen Ed requirement Fulfills Program Requirement Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
FNMT 101- Quantitative Reasoning or
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis or
MATH 161 - Precalculus I		 3 credits Some colleges and universities require a mathematics course above FNMT 118.
Students who are FNMT 118 ready should take MATH 150 instead of FNMT 101. Students who are FNMT 118 ready who wish to transfer to Temple University should take FNMT 118, which is the prerequisite for MATH 161.
Students with a math placement score above FNMT 118 should take MATH 161 or a higher-level math course.
Please visit the transfer agreements web page for more information and consult with an advisor when selecting a quantitative reasoning course. 		 Quantitative Reasoning
CIS 103 - Computer Applications & Concepts 3 credits Students with computer skills may apply for credit by exam through the Computer Technologies Department Technological Competency
HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or
HIST 102 - United States: The Civil War and the19th Century or
HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century and Beyond or
HIST 121 - World History: The Distant Past or
HIST 122 - World History: The Recent Past or
HIST 220 - African American History to 1877 or
HIST 221 - African American History After 1865		 3 credits Students should choose a history course that complements their interests in literature.
HIST 121 and HIST 122 count for the World Society requirement at Temple University.		  

English majors should complete ENGL 101, ENGL 102, ENGL 190, FNMT 118 or other college Mathematics, CIS 103, and either 211, 212, 221, 222, 250, or 251 in the first 24 credits.

  • This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program after earning their associate’s degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
BIOL 106 - General Biology I or
BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or
CHEM 105 - Inquiry into Chemistry or
STS 101-Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society or
other 4-credit lab science, selected in consultation with an advisor		 4 credits Students should consult with their transfer institution or an advisor before choosing a Scientific Reasoning course. Scientific Reasoning
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits   Oral Communication/
Creative Expression
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper 3 credits   Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis or
MATH 161 - Precalculus I or
ENGL 205 - Creative Writing or
other general elective selected in consultation with an advisor 		 3 credits Second math course needed only if transfer institution requires Math beyond FNMT 118.
Students planning to transfer should choose MATH 150 or MATH 161 or higher.
Students in the Creative Writing Academic Certificate should take ENGL 205 in the second semester, ENGL 280, 281, 282, or 283 in the third semester, and ENGL 280, 281, 282, or 283 concurrently with ENGL 285 in the fourth semester.  		 General Elective
ENGL 211 - Survey of British Literature: From Beginnings to 1750 or
ENGL 212 - Survey of British Literature: From 1750 to the Modern Era or
ENGL 221 - Survey of American Literature: From the Beginnings to the Civil War  or
ENGL 222 - Survey of American Literature: From the Civil War to the Present 		 3 credits Students are required to take one British literature survey or one American literature survey and one African or African American literature survey. Students may choose any survey course listed here. The two courses do not have to be sequential.
Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution may want to consult with an advisor before selecting their survey courses. 		  

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
World Language 101:
(Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish) or other general elective selected in consultation with an advisor 		 3 credits Students who wish to study a world language or who plan to transfer to an institution that requires a world language are advised to take at least two semesters of a world language aselectives.  
ENGL 250 - Survey of African American Literature: From Colonization to the Harlem Renaissance or
ENGL 251 - Survey of African American Literature: From the Harlem Renaissance to the Present or
ENGL 256 - African Literature		 3 credits Students are required to take two survey courses: one in the second semester and one in the third semester. Students may choose be any two survey courses listed here. The two courses do not have to be sequential.

Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution may want to consult with an advisor before selecting their survey courses.

 

 Major Course
ENGL 106 - Grammar or
ENGL 122 - Writing for Mass Media or
ENGL 137 - Introduction to Theater or
any 200-level English course, with the exception of ENGL 214.		 3 credits ENGL 106 recommended for students interested in editing and publishing.

English 122 recommended for students interested in professional writing

Students enrolled in Creative Writing Certificate must take ENGL 280, 281, 282 or 283 as English Elective.		 Directed Elective
ENGL 245 - World Literature: From Antiquity to 1500 or
ENGL 246 - World Literature: From 1500 to the Present		 3 credits   Major Course
BHHS 103 - Human Development and Behavior in the Social Environment or
ENGL 107 - Society and Mass Communications or
JUS 101 - Survey of Criminal Justice or
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology		 3 credits   Directed Elective

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
General Elective 3 or 4 credits   General Elective
ENGL 106 - Grammar or
ENGL 122 - Writing for Mass Media or
ENGL 137 - Introduction to Theater or 

any 200-level English course, with the exception of ENGL 214.

 3 credits ENGL 241 - Shakespeare recommended for students transferring to Arcadia University.
English 122 recommended for students interested in professional writing
Students enrolled in Creative Writing Certificate must take ENGL 280, 281, 282 or 283 concurrently with ENGL 285.		 Directed Elective
2nd World Language:
(Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) or
ENGL 122 - Writing for Mass Media or
other Humanities Elective chosen in consultation with an advisor		 3 credits Students who wish to study a foreign language or who plan to transfer to an institution that requires a foreign language are advised to take two semesters of a foreign language as their humanities electives.

ENGL 122 recommended for students interested in journalism, advertising, and public relations

 Directed Elective Humanities
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or
HUM 130 - Introduction to Japanese Culture and Civilization or
HUM 150 - Introduction to Latin American Cultures and Civilizations or
HUM 180 - Introduction to African Cultures and Civilizations or
RS 151 - World Religions 		3 credits Philosophy or Religious Studies Course required at Holy Family, St. Joe's, Villanova, and LaSalle. Directed Elective
ENGL 285 - Portfolio Development or
general elective		 3 credits Students enrolled in Creative Writing Certificate must take ENGL 285. ENGL 285 is only open to students enrolled in the Creative Writing Certificate.
Other students choose a general elective based on area of interest and transfer institution selected in consultation with an advisor.		 Directed Elective
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

View the College Catalog for More Information

Featured Career

English Language and Literature Teacher, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Median Salary
$94,251

Number of Jobs
21,213
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+10.9%
in the region

Typical Tasks

  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Teach writing classes.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as poetry, novel structure, and translation and adaptation.

How well does it pay?

New workers generally start around $46,727. Normal pay for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is $89,248 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $184,725.

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Program Information

English

Degree Type:

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

61

Online Learning Availability:

80% or Greater

Related Programs:

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