The English department offers students a major and a minor in English, a minor in Writing Studies, and a concentration in English for students pursuing degrees in English education or Liberal Arts Education. For more about why a major or minor in English or Writing Studies might be right for you, please visit our "Why Choose English?" page.

Need a curriculum card? They're available online for the major in English, the major in English Education (Elementary), and the major in English Education (secondary).

Majoring in English

The general English concentration offers advised elective courses which can be combined by students in consultation with advisors as they decide on specific career-path development. These focal areas add to or reinforce competencies sought after by postgraduate degree programs in fields such as law, business and education; by corporate and professional employers; and by graduate English and education programs. Students may choose any one of the following focuses for their degree program:

Literature: Students gain a broad overview of Western literature and develop the ability to read with understanding and critical precision. Courses offer interpretive study of a wide range of literary selections, enabling students to participate intellectually in the cultural development of our civilization, and to prepare for graduate study. For more information, please see the requirements for a literature concentration.

Corporate, Technical, and Professional English Skills: Students planning to seek employment with a bachelor’s degree in English read and study literature to develop critical abilities germane to any field in which language-based analysis is appropriate. They can also complement their reading and writing skills in literature with courses such as grants writing, advocacy journalism, editing, writing for the internet, creative writing, and grammar. The ability to analyze, interpret, organize, synthesize, and condense information in a wide variety of formats and styles for diverse and differing audiences is a highly sought-after skill in fields such as law, education, charitable efforts, and business. Students are encouraged to select courses leading to a Writing Studies minor, in addition to an English major. Students who major in English or minor in Writing are also encouraged to pursue internships or co-op opportunities. For more information, please read the requirements for a professional English skills concentration.

Education: In conjunction with the College of Education, to provide the student with a sequence of studies that leads to certification in the state of New York for teaching English in grades K-12. These courses address the specific competencies in teaching methodology and literary and compositional knowledge necessary for the College of Education. Students may also elect to take a bachelor’s degree in English, followed by a master’s in Education. For more information, please examine the requirements for an English education concentration in secondary education or elementary education or talk to advisors in the College of Education.

Double Majors With English (such as Theatre)

English makes an excellent double major with Theatre; this combination is the choice of an increasing number of students. For information about this combination, you can download our suggested advising card and use it as a starting point for discussions with your advisor. If you are interested in a double major in any subject with English, please talk with the department chair: Dr. Jeanne Laurel.

Minoring in English

Students who minor in English take four required courses and two upper-level electives for a total of six courses. The minor in English focuses primarily on literature; if you are interested in writing, please see our minor in Writing Studies. For more information about the minor in English, please see the requirements for an English minor.

Minoring in Writing Studies

The Writing Studies Minor focuses on giving students advanced instruction in writing, primarily for workplace contexts, though there is also some creative writing. The minor helps students translate their liberal arts/science degrees to workplace settings. In other words, it helps students gain skills they can use to get a job!

The minor emphasizes use of computer technology to produce professional texts: memos, letters, reports, oral presentations, web sites, and similar documents. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a writing internship. Most writing classes entail some service learning, in which students volunteer a few hours for a local charitable organization, and do some writing for that organization. For more information about the Writing Studies minor, please visit the writing minor section of this site.