At Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, we offer a bachelor’s degree in English that delves into language and explores everything from literature, creative writing, rhetoric and composition, to technical and professional writing, linguistics, education, film studies and digital humanities.
Why major in English? Maybe you love literature. Maybe you’re fascinated by language. Maybe you’re an aspiring writer, editor, scholar or teacher. Or maybe you’re looking for a major that will instill valuable skills in communication, analysis, and critical as well as creative thinking.
If you’d like to become a writer, we have you covered, with our classes in creative writing, professional writing, technical writing, screenwriting and more. If you want to teach English at any level, Marshall’s B.A. in English can help you. Our courses at Marshall University give you the ability to think differently, to express yourself and to apply your analytical mind in whatever career you choose to pursue.
Reading, writing and critical thinking are the foundation for all courses in Marshall’s bachelor’s degree program in English. Students develop the skills necessary to examine, interpret, analyze and evaluate different forms of literature and writing—textual artifacts that have reflected and helped shape cultures across time. These skills—plus proficiencies in digital technology, communication and collaboration—help prepare our English majors for a variety of writing and communication jobs in a wealth of fields such as journalism, education, film and more.
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In the English bachelor’s degree program at Marshall University, you can choose from a variety of options, including literature, creative writing, rhetoric and composition, technical and professional communication, linguistics, education, film studies, and the ever-growing field of digital humanities, which is where culture and the human experience meet the digital world.
Our English majors have been published widely in literary and scholarly journals. Marshall English majors also have their work featured in Et Cetera, the university’s literary journal, published annually since 1953 and giving our students a chance for hands-on writing and editing.
Marshall’s Department of English is a member of the Association of Departments of English (ADE), an arm of the Modern Language Association. It also belongs to the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP), a national organization that includes more than 550 college and university creative writing programs.
A bachelor’s degree in English is a practical choice, considering the variety of jobs for English majors. Any field that requires clear communication—oral or written—and critical thinking is a great fit for an English major. We have recent graduates who are acclaimed authors, teach at the college level and have served as chief of staff for major players in industry.
- Professional & Technical Writers
- Authors
- Journalists
- Editors
- Business Owners
- Lawyers
- Teachers