An English literature professor is at a college or university.English professors are required to write books about literature in most cases.To become an English Literature professor, you will need to have a critical approach to literature, be able to communicate effectively, have the necessary post-secondary education, and be willing to put in years of hard work and study.
Step 1: You should complete an undergraduate degree in English Literature.
A degree in a related field like Comparative Literature or Creative Writing can help you move forward in your career.To appear more appealing to graduate schools, you should maintain an excellent grade point average and do well in your undergraduate degree.Even if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field, you can still teach English at the higher education level.You will need to demonstrate that you have a high level of expertise and writing ability in your applications to graduate English programs.In a bachelor's English Literature program, you can cover subjects such as English literature, American Literature, African American literature and Postcolonial literature.
Step 2: Master's programs in English Literature are available.
If you want to teach English Literature at the college or university level, you need to complete your master's.Many master's programs require you to choose a sub-field of English literature that you would like to specialize in, for example, the seventeenth-century novel, postcolonial literature, or American poetry.In order to graduate, you will have to produce a master's thesis on the topic of your choice.You should try to get more experience as an instructor during your master's degree.If you can, you should apply for a teacher assistant.It will allow you to work closely with an experienced professor and gain first-hand experience in a college classroom.As T.A., you have your responsibilities.It may include instructing students on small tasks, preparing exams, and lecturing on topics to the class.How many hours a week you are expected to put into your T.A. will be given to you by your professor.There is a position.
Step 3: You need to apply for a PhD program in English literature.
Indicate your area of expertise, your readiness for PhD research, and your past accomplishments in the field in your application.Send examples of your work from your undergrad or master's program.You will need a statement of purpose, a CV or resume, letters of recommendation, and a writing sample to complete the application for most programs.The application requires a writing sample that shows your best writing.According to a recent study done by an economist, getting a PhD from a top 10 ranked school can improve your chances of landing a position as an English Literature professor.You may end up working with undergraduates with weak academic background if you go to a lower ranked university for your PhD.When applying for PhD programs, take this information into account.During the first two years as a PhD student, you should expand the scope of your reading.During the middle years of your program, you should try to get a teaching assistant or lecturer position.If you want to become an English literature professor, you need teaching experience.
Step 4: Papers and other research can be published.
You should try to do this by the second year of your degree.If you want to apply for English literature teaching positions, you should have a record of publications and research.You should publish papers early in your PhD career.If you want to get your seminar papers to focus on topics that you are interested in, you need to have specialized knowledge in the subject.They can be revised and submitted for publication in journals.The submission guidelines can be found on the website of the publication.Each publication has its own guidelines to follow in order to submit an article.There is a database of current English literature journals.
Step 5: You have to complete your thesis.
At the end of your sixth or seventh year in graduate school, you will need to complete a thesis that demonstrates your mastery of the field, your ability to conduct original research, and your writing ability.You can enter the workforce once you complete your degree.
Step 6: The year before you graduate, look for open positions at colleges and universities.
The job market for postsecondary teachers is expected to increase in the next few years.It can be difficult to get a position straight out of your PhD, so you should begin your job search while you are still in school.After tenure-track positions at major universities, look for lecturer positions or adjunct faculty posts.Junior or community colleges offer teaching-intensive jobs.Postdoctoral research positions are a good way to move from a PhD to a permanent position.You can gain teaching experience and pursue further research with these positions.Many job offers are for part-time work as an adjunct professor.Even with a PhD, many masters graduates can't find full-time work even if they attended an Ivy League masters program.At least 50% of university faculties are not tenure tracked, and at least 42% of community college courses are taught by adjunct professors.It's important that you don't only search for tenure tracked or full time teaching positions, as these positions may not be available for a long time in the current state of the field.Depending on what state you are teaching in, your salary may go up or down.In Vermont, post-secondary teachers had an annual mean wage of $75,860 and the median annual wage for English teachers in California was $82,290.As of last year, the median annual wage for post-secondary English teachers was $60,920.The upper 90% of these teachers can make more money than the lowest 10% can.
Step 7: Prepare to work in a related field.
It can be difficult to find a position as a professor at a university for newly graduated PhD English literature students.Composition or reading and comprehension is what some students end up teaching.There are more open positions in non-academic studies.PhD programs do not prepare students for other options besides a career as an English literature professor, which has been a point of criticism from economists.Once you graduate from your PhD program, you should be able to work in other related fields.You can either become an English literature professor at a university or teach reading composition and technical writing.Some PhD graduates have found success teaching at elite high schools.The positions can pay well and give a more secure teaching career.
Step 8: Continue to publish and have a good teaching record.
You should keep publishing new work and maintain a positive teaching record once you secure a position at a university or college.You may be offered a tenured position at the university you currently work for if you are not already tenured.