What is a basic degree that students can do to become an English literature professor?

If you're in college, you'll probably want to study English or a related subject, as stated in step 1. However, you cannot become a professor straight out of college. You'll need a doctorate in English literature to be a professor. With a master's degree, you can teach freshman writing, and in some community colleges, sophomore literature. But without a doctorate degree, it's hard to get a full-time position. There are tons of part-time adjunct positions for people with master's degrees in English, but the pay is incredibly poor and you have very little say in what and sometimes how you teach.