English Literature
Associate in Arts- Cost
- $11,050*
Unlock the potential of words
Analyze & apply literature to life
If you like to write (a lot!) and you’re passionate about deep thinking, a degree in English Literature is right for you. Learn to apply literature to life and improve today’s world.
With a degree in English Literature, explore a wide variety of subjects—from around the world and across any time. Build rock-solid skills in communication, analysis and writing, which prepare you to transfer to a 4-year institution. At CLC, this flexible yet challenging program can fuel your passion for literature and lead to a versatile, rewarding career.
What can you do with an A.A. in English Literature?
The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in English Literature prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Writing, Business or related fields.
Enhance your passion for writing and reading
Immerse yourself in writing and literary opportunities—in and out of the classroom:
- Write for the award-winning newspaper, The Chronicle
- Publish in our 2 award-winning magazines, Prairie Voices and Willow Review
- Participate in our Literary Arts Society
Highlights
-
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Transfer Degree
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
-
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $35,091
- Median
- $61,180
- Senior-Level
- $136,306
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $16.86
- Median
- $29.41
- Senior-Level
- $65.53
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 44.3%
- Certificate
- 4.86%
- Some college
- 1%
- Associate Degree
- 11.14%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 38.7%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $41,735
- Median
- $68,129
- Senior-Level
- $119,151
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $20.06
- Median
- $32.75
- Senior-Level
- $57.28
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Bachelor's Degree
- 81.7%
- Master's Degree
- 18.3%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $48,958
- Median
- $67,215
- Senior-Level
- $109,256
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.53
- Median
- $32.31
- Senior-Level
- $52.52
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 0.97%
- Certificate
- 0.97%
- Some college
- 1.09%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 84.39%
- Master's Degree
- 12.6%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
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.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $46,932
- Median
- $75,284
- Senior-Level
- $130,145
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $22.56
- Median
- $36.19
- Senior-Level
- $62.57
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 9.61%
- Master's Degree
- 31.68%
- Doctorate
- 58.7%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $43,724
- Median
- $65,138
- Senior-Level
- $106,724
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $21.02
- Median
- $31.31
- Senior-Level
- $51.30
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Certificate
- 4.45%
- Some college
- 10.22%
- Associate Degree
- 3.65%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 10.93%
- Master's Degree
- 69.32%
- Doctorate
- 1.44%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $28,213
- Median
- $36,907
- Senior-Level
- $56,769
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $13.56
- Median
- $17.74
- Senior-Level
- $27.28
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 15.02%
- Certificate
- 17.05%
- Some college
- 8.85%
- Associate Degree
- 27.66%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 29.62%
- Master's Degree
- 1.81%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $49,587
- Median
- $67,270
- Senior-Level
- $110,382
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.84
- Median
- $32.33
- Senior-Level
- $53.06
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 1.87%
- Associate Degree
- 5.99%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 77.3%
- Master's Degree
- 14.84%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.
Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
Learn how CLC helps you transfer
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
English at CLC
Get the bigger picture
Learn about courses, faculty, related programs and more.
Frequently asked questions
-
Yes! Consider these common career paths:
- education (teachers at the elementary, secondary or postsecondary level)
- writing and editing (journalists, technical writers, copywriters or authors)
- law (law school or careers as paralegals, legal assistants or court reporters)
- public relations and marketing (working for corporations, nonprofits or government agencies)
- business (human resources, management or sales)
- nonprofits (museums, charities and advocacy groups)
- publishing (literary agents, editors or book marketers)
-
Yes. Immerse yourself in our writing and literary opportunities—in and out of the classroom:
- Write for the award-winning newspaper, The Chronicle.
- Publish in our two award-winning magazines, Prairie Voices and Willow Review.
- Participate in our Literary Arts Society.
-
You develop and hone these specialized and in-demand skills:
- analysis and interpretation of writing
- critical thinking
- cultural awareness
- oral and written communication
- research
- creative and technical writing
-
Kenneth Dantes
Transfer student
"It felt like a community because there were actually those teachers that have time for you. During class, I knew I could have that relationship with them."
Kenneth studied literature at CLC, then transferred to Elmhurst University. While at CLC, he worked on film projects in and around Chicago to gain experience and build his network. He now works in Los Angeles as a background production assistant for major streaming shows.
*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
Explore careers
Discover majors and career paths to complement and extend your intuitive interests and abilities.
Request info
Your education is a big investment of your time, money and attention. Gather all the info you need.
Get started
Start your application today—it’s free and easy to complete. When you’re ready, we’re ready to help you take the next step.