If you understand that “we swim with the tide in a sea of language,” you will be right at home in the English major. Reading and analyzing literature—fiction, non-fiction, and poetry—and writing both creatively and professionally enable students to develop highly marketable analytic and critical skills in reading and writing, which will serve them well in careers that require an ability to gather, analyze, synthesize, and communicate information in clear and concise language.
We offer majors the opportunity to study American and British literature, comparative literature, drama, film, and writing (creative and web-based). We strongly encourage English majors to consider an internship opportunity and/or a semester studying abroad during their junior or senior year of study. Just talk with your academic adviser who can share experiences of our recent graduates.
Whether you are interested in publishing, public relations/marketing, business or nonprofit management, law, government, business and technical writing, teaching, or post-graduate study, the B.A. in English degree can be excellent preparation. Students interested in earning certification in secondary education should contact the College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction at University Park. (See also Teacher Education Programs and Teacher Certification Process.) Students may also consider a complementary minor in Business, Business/Liberal Arts, or Information Science & Technology.