What is English?
English is a liberal arts discipline that will improve your writing skills,
sharpen your analytical abilities, and broaden your literary knowledge.
English degree holders teach literature, composition, and creative writing at the
collegiate level, publish articles in scholarly journals, present findings at academic
conferences, write book reviews, and serve as editors, journalists, and speech writers.
What do English degree holders do in the Army?
Some English degree holders teach at USMA, while others teach at the Army War College
and at the Command and General Staff College. English degree holders have also served
as speech writers for General officers and as editors of journals such as the
Military Review. Perhaps most importantly, a degree in English will hone those
critical thinking and oral and written communications skills that are so vital to Army
officers, regardless of the command or staff billet in which they serve.
What kinds of Master's Degrees predominate in the field?
- Master of Arts in Literature
- Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric
- Master of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)
Typically, students enrolled in Master's programs in English aspire to teach literature, composition, or creative writing at the collegiate level.
Where should I apply?
Ask yourself the following as you consider prospective programs:
- Do my GRE scores (you'll need to take that exam) and undergraduate transcripts make me competitive? Can I get into this school?
- Do I think that I can complete the degree requirements in the time allotted by the Army?
- Does this program specialize in an area of study that interests me?
- Where is the school located? Is this location advantageous for my family and for me?
- How will this degree (and the quality of the program to which I am applying) best serve me going forward?
According to national rankings, the top English programs are Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Harvard, and Penn. The key, however, is to find the program that is right for you. Top English Programs: see http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/english-rankings
What are some of the schools from which Army officers currently on active duty earned Master's degrees in English?
- Arizona State
- Berkeley
- Boston College
- Colorado State
- Delaware
- Duquesne
- Eastern Washington
- Hofstra
- Illinois
- Kansas State
- Massachusetts
- NC State
- Old Dominion
- Oregon State
- Penn
- Penn State
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Stanford
- Stetson
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington State
|
A wealth of information regarding graduate institutions is available online. Click on any of the icons below for more information: 
|
