Explore Opportunities to Study Master of Arts in English (MAE) for Non-Major Students

Nguyen Le Ngoc Tram graduated as a General Practitioner in 2022, but she decided to pursue her passion for languages with a focus on teaching English. She embarked on a new journey with the Master of Arts in English Studies program at Hoa Sen University. What interesting experiences and challenges does Tram encounter on this unexpected path? And what opportunities are available for individuals passionate about obtaining a master’s degree in English Language Studies but concerned about graduating with a non-major undergraduate degree?

1. Can people with different majors pursue a Master of Arts in English (MAE)?

The answer is yes, individuals with different majors can definitely enroll in the Master of Arts in English (MAE) program. Your undergraduate major does not matter; what matters is your passion for pursuing a Master’s degree in English Language Studies.

The learning journey may be more challenging compared to those who graduated in the same field, as you may need to study additional subjects to ensure a solid and comprehensive foundation before embarking on the path of pursuing a Master’s degree in English Language Studies (MAE).

Having a Master’s degree in English Language Studies is an opportunity to diversify your knowledge and upgrade your skills, thereby providing more opportunities for career advancement. This degree also opens doors to new and enriching career paths that align with your existing passion.

Below is a list of additional courses for individuals with non-major backgrounds who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in English Language Studies:

• Morphology and English Syntax
• Semantics
• Phonetics & Phonology
• Introduction to Translation and Interpretation
• Introduction to English Language Teaching

In addition, to reinforce the belief that individuals with different majors can still pursue a Master’s degree in English Language Studies, let’s hear from Nguyen Le Ngoc Tram, a student in the MAE program at Hoa Sen University, as she shares her journey from being a medical doctor to studying English Language Studies.

Ngoc Tram pursued her Medical degree in 2015 and throughout her 7-year journey in the medical field, she never ceased to love the English language. She always pursued this subject in her own way, especially by teaching English whenever she had spare time.

However, she excelled in her medical studies, but she couldn’t find the motivation throughout her 7 years of medical education. On the contrary, she felt comfortable and enjoyed the time spent learning English. Eventually, she made the bold decision to enroll in the Master of Arts in English (MAE) program at Hoa Sen University instead of continuing with her stable job in the medical field after graduation. This decision changed her career path for the better, as it aligned with her initial passion.

Therefore, do not worry that graduating in a different major means you cannot pursue a Master’s degree in English Language Studies. As long as you have the passion and perseverance, you can conquer any field. Be confident in enrolling in the Master of Arts in English (MAE) program if this is your biggest career goal.

2. Benefits of studying a Master of Arts in English for individuals with different majors

In general, besides the necessity of supplementing certain knowledge, individuals with different majors will have the opportunity to develop and explore their potential further if they decide to study for a Master of Arts in English (MAE).

• Enhancing critical thinking skills: Studying a different major helps expand your thinking and communication skills in a new language. When applying the knowledge gained from the MAE program to various fields and different situations, you will develop the ability to grasp information and analyze it comprehensively. As a result, you will gain more experience in handling various situations.
• Improving self-learning ability: Pursuing a Master’s degree in a different major requires you to research basic foundational knowledge before delving into the specialized field of study. This helps you cultivate patience, research skills, and data analysis abilities when faced with entirely new knowledge. This enriches your personal skills, allowing you to confidently develop in this field.
• Expanding career opportunities: English language studies is a field with numerous job opportunities across various industries, due to the widespread use and application of this language in multiple countries. Therefore, mastering this language with a Master’s degree in English Language Studies (MAE) will serve as a ticket to attractive job offers with desired salaries.
• Increasing social interaction skills: Studying a different major allows you to work and learn from a diverse community of interdisciplinary learners. This enhances your communication and social cooperation skills, which are essential when working in a professional environment. This is also a good opportunity for you to expand your network, which will benefit your future career.

3. Starting the journey of studying a Master of Arts in English (MAE) for individuals with different majors

• Research and plan: Learn about the English Language Studies direction you are interested in and make a detailed study plan so that you won’t be overwhelmed when encountering specialized knowledge.
• Attend trial classes: Take part in trial courses in English Language Studies to familiarize yourself with the practical knowledge of the desired field you want to pursue. This helps confirm once again whether you truly want to pursue English language studies.

You can refer to the upcoming trial classes at Hoa Sen University. Register for a trial class experience in the Master of Arts in English program at Hoa Sen University with experienced experts and lecturers here.

• Seek additional insights from current and former MAE students: Actively reach out to current and former MAE program students to listen to their sharing and experiences in studying and compare them with your own needs to make a decision. Experience from those who have gone before is always a good source of reference.

Studying a different major to obtain a Master’s degree in English Language Studies is a breakthrough that can open doors to many new opportunities in your career. Do not hesitate to take on challenges and explore new avenues in today’s diverse and rapidly evolving world.