Which Nebraska Schools Offer an English Major?

Career Info for English Professionals in Nebraska

A degree in English can lead to a variety of careers, such as teaching. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 6,700 high school teachers working in Nebraska in May 2011. In the same year, their average salary was about $47,000. Outlook nationwide for high school teachers was predicted to increase at a slower-than-average rate of 7% from 2010-2020, according to the BLS.

Writing is another job possibility for English majors. The BLS reported that 280 writers were working in Nebraska as of May 2011 (note that this figure omits self-employed writers, who would account for additional positions). The average salary for writers in Nebraska was about $48,000 in that same time period. Job openings for writers were expected to grow at 6% between 2010-2020, which is slower than the average, according to the BLS.

Some students attend law school and become attorneys after earning an English degree. In May 2011, 2,510 lawyers were working in Nebraska. Their average salary was about $102,000 in 2011. Demand for lawyers across the country was predicted to increase at an average rate of 10% from 2010-2020. With an English degree, you may also work in business, government, sales, public relations and many other industries.

English Bachelor's Degree Programs in Nebraska

Creighton University

• Program: Bachelor of Arts in English
• Specialization Areas: American literature, British literature, Irish literature, creative writing, rhetoric and composition studies, English education
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $33,330 per year (tuition and fees for 2012 - 2013 academic year)
• Requirements: Personal statement, application
• School Type: 4-year, private; roughly 4,200 undergrads, 3,400 grads
• Address: Creighton Hall/Administration Building, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178
• Phone: 402-280-2822

At Creighton University, you can earn an undergraduate degree in English in a Jesuit environment. The student-focused English major allows you to choose from a variety of specialties and prepare for many careers or future education. Creighton also offers students the opportunity to publish their work in its literary magazine Shadows or join the school's English honor society.

Midland University

• Program: Bachelor of Fine Arts of Creative Writing
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $24,410 per year (tuition for 2011-2012 academic year)
• Requirements: 2.0 GPA or higher, ranking in top 50% of high school graduating class, ACT score of 20 or higher or SAT score of 940 or higher, application
• School Type: 4 year, private; approximately 1,000 undergrads and 20 grads
• Address: 900 North Clarkson, Fremont, NE 68025
• Phone: 800-642-8382

Midland University offers an English major that will help you develop communication, research and computer skills. You can choose a program that will lead to a teaching endorsement, prepare you for graduate education, allow you to publish your writing or select an open major. Midland University is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

University of Nebraska - Omaha Campus

• Program: Bachelor of Arts in English
• Specialization Areas: American Literature, British/Irish/Anglophone Literature, creative non-fiction, language studies
• Program Length: 4 years, full time
• Tuition: $189.75 per credit for Nebraska residents, $559.50 per credit for non-Nebraska residents (tuition for 2011-2012 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Completion of high school English, math, natural science, social science and foreign language classes, the English Placement and Proficiency Examination
• Requirements: Ranked in the upper top 50% of high school graduating class, ACT score of 20 or better or SAT score of 950 or higher
• School Type: 4-year, public; close to 12,000 undergrads and 3,000 grads
• Address: University of Nebraska at Omaha English Dept., Omaha, NE 68182
• Phone: 402-554-2635

The University of Nebraska has campuses in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney. Attending the Omaha campus will give you the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a metropolitan environment. While earning your undergraduate English degree, you can focus your studies in many types of literature, creative non-fiction or language studies. You may also choose to pursue an English major for teaching, an English minor or a certificate to teach English as a second language.

Wayne State College

• Program: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in English
• Specialization Areas: Literature, writing
• Program Length: 4 years, full time
• Tuition: $135.25 per credit hour for Nebraska residents, $270.50 per credit hour for non-Nebraska residents (tuition for 2011-2012 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 2,900 undergrads and 600 grads
• Address: Language and Literature Department, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE 68787
• Phone: 402-375-7394

Wayne State College offers an English major with a specialization in literature, writing or a combination of the two. Coursework in all specializations includes the study of ancient to modern literary works and will help you hone your communication skills. You may also choose to minor in English while pursuing another major. The Language and Literature Department has various extracurricular activities such as poetry slams, a literary magazine and a national honor society.

English Master's Degree Programs in Nebraska

Creighton University

• Program: Master of Arts in English
• Specialization Areas: Creative writing, literature, teaching, rhetoric and composition
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: $730 per credit hour (2012-2013 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Undergraduate degree, writing sample, statement of purpose
• Requirements: Application and fee, three letters of recommendation, writing sample, GRE scores
• School Type: 4 year, private; roughly 4,200 undergrads, 3,400 grads
• Address: Creighton Hall, Room 141B, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178
• Phone: 402-280-2822

At Creighton University, you can choose from a variety of tracks within the English master's program to design an education that suits your needs. You'll have access to the Creighton University Press and may choose to participate in a fellowship program. There's also a graduate certificate program in rhetoric and composition.

University of Nebraska - Omaha Campus

• Program: Master of Arts in English
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: $236.50 per credit for Nebraska residents, $622.50 per credit for non-Nebraska residents (tuition for 2011-2012 academic year)
• Requirements: Application and fee, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, GRE scores
• School Type: 4-year, public; close to 12,000 undergrads and 3,000 grads
• Address: University of Nebraska at Omaha English Dept., Omaha, NE 68182
• Phone: 402-554-2635

At the University of Nebraska's Omaha campus you can pursue a master's in English two ways. The first centers on coursework and places less emphasis on your thesis. The second is thesis-centered and contains fewer seminar requirements. You may further customize your program through deliberate elective choice and by working with faculty members.