Program Overview

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.