English Courses

Learn the basics of writing and editing for broad or highly specialized fields. Understand how to analyze a text to uncover the variety of meanings it may hold.

A student stares at a computer screen.

Become a better communicator, a stronger writer, and a well-rounded reader

Composition I and II are required for many degrees and certificate programs at JCCC. Learn all phases of the writing process, from discovering ideas and justifying your points with concise English to editing, revising, and defending your final document.

After passing Composition I, explore several different options, from literature classes such as Shakespeare and Environmental Literature to a variety of creative writing classes and workshops for beginners and more advanced students.

Our specialized writing courses meet a variety of needs for working professionals wanting to update their skills. Topics include:

Grants Writing
Advanced Grammar and Style
Digital Narratives
Writing for Interactive Media
Technical Writing
Advanced Composition

Explore JCCC's catalog to learn about our English courses

[Catalog] English courses

Why JCCC for English courses?

At JCCC, you enjoy our low tuition rates, classes that transfer and our small class sizes. Other benefits of taking English courses at JCCC:

Instructors who are highly trained professors – not graduate teaching assistants – who give personalized feedback designed to help you improve your skills.
More discussion with other students in smaller classes, with in-person and online options.
Interdisciplinary courses with exposure to experts in history, art history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, literature, film, and political science.
Course times that fit into your schedule with start times as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 6 p.m. We offer both full-semester and short-term composition classes. Online English courses offer even more flexibility.
The Mind’s Eye, a student-run literary magazine, gives you a chance to publish fiction, poetry and essays as well as art and photography. For more information, contact Professor Tom Reynolds, faculty advisor for The Mind’s Eye, at 913-469-8500, ext. 3935.

JCCC offers one of the most dynamic curricula in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Join us for a semester that takes only a few months, with an outcome that lasts a lifetime.

English is your future

Degrees in English help you develop the kinds of thinking and communications skills that are valuable across a wide variety of careers, including lucrative roles in business and the legal field. Specialized writers can find work in careers like:

Grants Writing
Copywriting
Digital Narratives
Marketing
Writing for Interactive Media
Technical Writing
Editing and Proofreading

When supervisors seek to hire good employees, they search for candidates who can communicate effectively and empathize with others. English classes can help you improve writing and other skills.

English is for “real life.” In fact, corporate giants such as Google and Facebook are placing a higher emphasis on these “soft skills” after years of pressing the importance of “hard skills” such as science and technology.

Why? As more of our workforce relies on technology, individuals must be able to understand each other, work in teams, and accept and adapt to diverse points of view. You can gain these key skills by taking English courses and practicing what you learned.

Find employment projections and salary information at the Power BI Post Graduate Report.

For assistance with career decisions, visit the Career Development Center.