English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.

Degree Overview

English Language and Literature/Letters, Other (CIP 23.9999) is a specialized category for narrative innovators and linguistic strategists who apply the tools of English studies to non-traditional, often high-tech or cross-disciplinary fields. While a general English degree focuses on the canon, professionals in this "Other" category are "Communication Engineers." They study computational linguistics, the ethics of AI narrative generation, the rhetoric of social movements, and the evolution of language in virtual spaces. It is a path for "interdisciplinary wordsmiths" who want to lead the evolution of how humans share and process information.

This field is ideal for "intellectual hybrids"—individuals who possess a deep love for language but want to use it to solve modern problems in software development, international diplomacy, or human-machine interaction.

What Is a 23.9999 "Other" English and Letters Degree?

A degree in this category is an exploratory and applied path that emphasizes multimodal literacy, cognitive storytelling, and the digital humanities. You will study the "Linguistic Core"—grammar, syntax, and rhetoric—but your focus will be on new frontiers. Because this code houses unique or experimental programs, your studies might focus on Narrative Medicine, Environmental Humanities, or the semiotics of User Interface (UI) design. It prepares you to be a "Communication Consultant" who can bridge the gap between technical data and human understanding.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train "Computational Linguists" who help develop natural language processing (NLP) for AI and voice assistants
• Develop experts in Narrative Design for immersive media, such as video games and virtual reality experiences
• Prepare professionals for Global Communications, focusing on the nuances of English as a secondary language in international business
• Study Medical Humanities, exploring how storytelling can improve patient outcomes and the empathy of healthcare providers

What Will You Learn?

Students learn that "language is the operating system of society"; they focus on decoding and recoding information to make it more effective, ethical, and inclusive.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Master Semantic Analysis—understanding the deep layers of meaning and intent behind specific word choices
• Use "Data Visualization for Text"—using tools to map trends and patterns in massive collections of digital communications
• Design Multimodal Narratives—creating content that moves seamlessly between text, audio, and visual formats
• Perform Rhetorical Audits—identifying bias or logical fallacies in corporate, political, or scientific messaging
• Utilize Narrative Architecture—structuring information to guide a user or reader through a complex experience
• Understand Digital Ethics—the moral implications of how language is used in algorithms and social media

Topics You May Explore

Coursework is a blend of traditional humanities and modern technical application:

• Digital Storytelling: The study of non-linear narratives in websites, games, and interactive media.
• Linguistic Diversity and Power: How dialects and variations of English impact social mobility and justice.
• The Rhetoric of Algorithmic Bias: Analyzing how human prejudices are coded into language-based AI systems.
• Environmental Humanities: Exploring how literature and language shape our response to climate change.
• Professional Ethics and Persuasion: The limits of influence in marketing, lobbying, and public health.
• Introduction to NLP and Coding for Humanities: Learning the basics of Python or R to analyze text as data.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

Graduates find roles as strategists and creators in the tech, healthcare, and global media sectors.

Common job roles include:

• AI Prompt Engineer/Narrative Designer: Training AI models to speak more naturally or designing the stories within video games.
• Health Communication Specialist: Translating complex medical data for patients and public health campaigns.
• Information Architect: Organizing the structure of websites and apps to ensure information is findable and clear.
• Linguistic Consultant: Advising companies on brand names, slogans, and global communication strategies.
• Digital Humanities Researcher: Using technology to preserve and analyze historical texts for museums and universities.
• Social Impact Strategist: Crafting the messaging and narratives for non-profits and social movements.

Where Can You Work?

These specialists are the "translators" of the 21st century:

• Tech Giants and Startups: Working on the human side of software and artificial intelligence.
• Pharmaceutical and Medical Groups: Managing the narrative of health and healing.
• International Diplomatic Bodies: Assisting in the clear and ethical communication of global policy.
• Media and Game Studios: Developing the complex "lore" and scripts for interactive entertainment.
• Environmental and Social NGOs: Using the power of story to drive large-scale cultural change.

How Much Can You Earn?

Because of the technical and strategic nature of this niche, salaries for these experts often exceed those of general English majors.

• Narrative/AI Designers: Median annual salary of approximately $90,000–$140,000+.
• Health/Technical Communication Managers: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $120,000.
• Information Architects: Median annual salary of around $95,000–$135,000.
• Entry-Level Content Strategists: Often start between $60,000 and $75,000.

Is This Degree Hard?

The difficulty is in the mental flexibility required. You must be as comfortable with a Shakespearean sonnet as you are with a block of code or a data spreadsheet. It requires a brilliantly analytical and adaptive mindset—you must be able to see the "human pattern" in a sea of digital noise. It is a major that rewards those who are "Strategic Synthesizers" and who enjoy the challenge of working at the edge of what language can do.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Love the English language but want to work in a "future-focused" industry like tech or science
• Are fascinated by how humans and computers will talk to each other in the future
• Want to use the power of storytelling to solve real-world problems like climate change or healthcare gaps
• Enjoy a mix of creative writing, deep research, and technical logic
• Believe that clear, ethical communication is the most important skill of the 21st century

How to Prepare in High School

• Take AP English and AP Computer Science; the overlap of these two is the core of the field
• Take a Psychology or Sociology course to understand the human audience you will be writing for
• Practice Creative Problem-Solving—enter a "Game Jam" to write for a game or start a tech-focused blog
• Join the Debate team to practice the art of building a logical, persuasive case
• Read about "Digital Humanities" and Narrative Medicine to see where the field is heading

The ability to apply linguistic logic and narrative mastery to the complexities of modern information systems is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.