by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Celtic Language & Literature focuses on the historical and modern languages of the Celtic people. These modern languages include Irish, Scots Gaelic, Breton, and Welsh and have been spoken throughout the British Isles, Asia Minor, and Continental Europe. Students majoring in this program will learn the dialects and pidgins, philology, linguistics, and literate of the Celtic Languages. While perusing this major, students will take courses in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Languages, European History, Celtic Religion, and Celtic Art.
A degree in Celtic Language & Literature involves the study of Celtic Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Continue reading for the essential details every celtic language & literature major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering celtic language & literature programs.
Across the country, celtic language & literature is a widely-pursued major, with 12 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Celtic Language & Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for celtic language & literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of celtic language & literature programs later in this article.
Studies in Celtic Language & Literature emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations celtic language & literature graduates commonly enter.
An open mind and love for storytelling are good traits to have in order to fully appreciate and grasp the many folktales and myths associated with Celtic culture. Much of the culture and history of ancient Celtic populations was passed down by word of mouth. An ear for languages, patience and determination are essential for students to master pronunciation.
Students can prepare for this major while still in high school by taking World History, Intro to Language courses, World Religion, and English. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture first hand.
The skill set built by a celtic language & literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a celtic language & literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several celtic language & literature degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to celtic language & literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.8% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in celtic language & literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are a few different career paths you can peruse with a degree in Celtic Language and Literature. One option is to become a Translator or Interpreter. These individuals are the bridge of communication between two cultures. With the growing demand for worldwide business and travel, these individuals are in higher demand. You may also find opportunities to teach literature, history, or language. Careers involving writing are another popular option for graduates.
Majoring in celtic language & literature can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to celtic language & literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to celtic language & literature.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Salaries for celtic language & literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers celtic language & literature grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 2 different celtic language & literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased celtic language & literature school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in celtic language & literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
