About this Program

Easily completed in one calendar year, this certificate gives students who already hold at least a master’s degree in a different field the 18 hours of graduate study in literature that are the minimum requirement for teaching that subject at the post-secondary level in Virginia.

Program Highlights

  • Gives students a grounding in the history and cultural significance of American, British, and other literary traditions written primarily in English

  • Includes focused study of culturally diverse literary traditions, such as African-American, Native American, Asian American, and World literatures

  • Gives students comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the various methodologies for interpreting literary works that literary scholars have developed

  • Offers students curricular flexibility in choosing which areas of literature they wish to focus on

  • Affords students the choice to take an additional twelve hours and complete requirements for the M. A. in English—Literature Emphasis degree

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Certificate
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Librarians

$60,760 Median Salary

Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, educational institutions, museums, corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Tasks may include selecting, acquiring, cataloguing, classifying, circulating, and maintaining library materials; and furnishing reference, bibliographical, and readers

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

$127,690 Median Salary

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

$72,120 Median Salary

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

$77,660 Median Salary

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.

Alumni Careers

Tidewater Community College
Instructor of English
Eastern Shore Community College
Instructor of English
Old Dominion University
Instructor of English
Christopher Newport University
Instructor of English
Granby High School
Advanced Placement English Teacher
Kempsville High School
Advanced Placement English Teacher

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Literature at ODU?
Students entering the Certificate program in Literature should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.

Cost of Attendance

We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance. 

Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $620
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $642
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,486

Ways to Fund Your Degree

There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.