
BA English
Visit the College of Arts and SciencesThe English program explores how literature and writing shape our understanding of ourselves, our histories and our cultures and provides a springboard to many diverse and rewarding careers.
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The English program explores how literature and writing shape our understanding of ourselves, our histories and our cultures and provides a springboard to many diverse and rewarding careers.
MAJORING IN ENGLISH
The QU English Department inspires students to engage with big ideas in literature and to express themselves in writing with eloquence and style. By studying great works of prose and poetry from the medieval period to the present, students deepen their understanding of diverse cultures, histories and sociopolitical perspectives. In our intensive writing courses, students hone their skills with language and find their unique voices as poets, fiction writers, essayists and critics. English majors practice strong writing, active reading, careful research, and creative thinking, all of which are crucial skills for success in 21st-century careers.
FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM
As an English major, you’ll work closely with a faculty adviser to craft a curriculum that focuses on your literary interests and career goals. Our flexible 36-credit major is also ideal for adding a double major or minor in complementary disciplines, such as Law and Society, Psychology, Drama, Biology, Film, Journalism, Game Design, Public Relations and many others. If you have an interest in Creative Writing, you can choose to pursue an optional concentration in that area, tailoring your course selections to pursue your vision. Students who plan to pursue a degree in secondary education must follow the Secondary Education curriculum, which is designed to meet state requirements for discipline-specific knowledge of literature.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
The English major is both active and engaging. Our Visiting Writers Series brings professional authors and poets to campus for public readings and discussions, and our Student Writers Series spotlights the exceptional work of QU’s most creative undergraduates. Montage, QU’s student-run literary journal, provides opportunities for hands-on editing and publishing experience, and many of our majors contribute to The QU Chronicle and other student-run publications. A select number of students who display strong talent and passion for literary study are invited to join the English Honors Society.
BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
The English program culminates in a capstone course, where you’ll produce an original project that illustrates the depth of your knowledge and creativity. Graduates of our program are well prepared for careers in government, public service, not-for-profit foundations, public relations, advertising, print and digital publishing, and other business fields. Many of our students also pursue graduate study in English, creative writing, elementary and secondary education, law, business or library science.
Bachelor’s degrees in English are the top humanities degrees in demand. (National Association of Colleges and Employers 2019 Job Outlook Report)
Written communication skills are the number 1 attribute employers seek on a candidate's resume. (National Association of Colleges and Employers 2019 Job Outlook Report)
The percentage of our 2019 English program graduates who are either employed or in graduate programs.
A bachelor's degree in English can be useful in a number of career areas. Graduates can work in communications, business, government and nonprofit; research, university and college teaching. English majors gain communication abilities that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential careers.
“Quinnipiac has some of the most dedicated, learned and inspiring professors you could ask for. The critical reading, thinking and writing skills that I developed at QU propelled me to positions across the country as a project manager and serve me now in the greatest, most diverse city in the country, NYC. The skills you take from this campus can take you anywhere.” - Sam Chaney ’10 (BA in English), Field Director, Cynthia Nixon for New York
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.