The Literature concentration offers the opportunity for students to prepare for teaching in secondary schools and at junior colleges. It also offers the opportunity for students to prepare for admission to PhD programs in British and American Literature.
The M.A. in literature provides you with a background in reading and analyzing complex texts and writing and speaking extensively about them. This can prepare you for teaching at the high school and community college levels and for proceeding to a Ph.D. in English or a related field.
It also provides preparation for law school, particularly if you are looking to improve the quality of the institution to which you are admitted. The research and writing skills you develop can be useful in any field involving strong verbal and research skills: law, business, public relations, technical communication, medical writing, and so forth.