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 $80,833*
Librarian – est. salary $63,100
Proofreader or Copy Markers – est. salary $37,634
Technical Writer – est. salary $81,777

**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; 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 ENGL 101
ENGL 190 - Introduction to Literature 3 credits Fulfills Gen Ed requirement Fulfills Program Requirement Major Course Humanities, Writing Intensive, Interpretive Studies
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or
MATH 137 - Geometry for Design or
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis or
MATH 161 - Precalculus I		 3 credits   Mathematics
CIS 103 - Computer Applications & Concepts 3 credits Students with computer skills may apply for credit by exam through the Computer Technologies Department Tech Comp
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or
GEOG 103 - Introduction to Human Geography or
HIST 121 - Global History I or
HIST 122 - Global History II or
other Social Science Elective selected in consultation with an advisor		 3 credits   Social Sciences

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
other 4-credit lab science selected in consultation with an advisor		 4 credits   Natural Sciences
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits   Major Course
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper 3 credits   ENGL 102, Info Lit
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 Math course needed only if transfer institution requires Math beyond FNMT 118 or Math 137.

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 or
ENGL 250 - African American Literature I or
ENGL 251 - African American Literature II  		 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
Am/Global Diversity 

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
World Language 101:
(Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish) or
other Humanities Elective selected 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. Humanities 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 or
ENGL 250 - African American Literature I or
ENGL 251 - African American Literature II  		 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
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or
GEOG 103 - Human Geography or
HIST 121 - Global History I or
HIST 122 - Global History II or
or other Social Science Elective selected in consultation with an advisor		 3 credits   Social Sciences 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
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy or
PHIL 111 - Critical Thinking or
PHIL 152 - Philosophy of Religion or 
PHIL 211 - Ethical Problems or 
RS 101 - Introduction to Religion or
RS 151 - World Religions or
RS 170/HIST 170 - Religion in American History or
RS 175 - Religions of the Middle East		 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
$80,833

Number of Jobs
20,511
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+17%
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 $37,159. Normal pay for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is $80,833 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $166,521.

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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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