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English
At Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø, studying English means exploring literature, ideas, and cultures while developing critical thinking, research, and professional writing skills that open doors to countless career paths. Through engaging discussions, hands-on writing experiences, and opportunities to publish or present at national conferences, you’ll learn to analyze complex issues, communicate effectively, and collaborate across cultures.
With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, you’ll receive personalized feedback and guidance to refine your skills. Whether you’re preparing for law school, graduate studies, or diving straight into fields like marketing, editing, user experience, or government, your English degree will set you apart.
Experiential Learning
At Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø, hands-on learning is at the heart of the English program. Through a combination of coursework, research, internships, and real-world experiences, you’ll develop skills that set you apart in any career.
Engaging Coursework & Faculty Mentorship
- Explore literature from diverse cultures and time periods to develop critical thinking and empathy.
- Receive detailed, constructive feedback from faculty to refine your writing and research skills.
- Complete a senior project, where you research career opportunities, build a portfolio, and take concrete steps toward your future goals.
Internships & Professional Experience
- Gain real-world experience through ENG 492: Practicum in English, where you can apply your writing and analytical skills in professional settings.
- Participate in ENG 495: Independent Study, allowing you to dive deeper into your literary and writing interests with faculty support.
- Work with faculty on research projects and present your findings at regional and national conferences.
Study Abroad & Unique Opportunities
- Expand your horizons with ENG 302: Travel Writing, a study abroad course that blends cultural exploration with storytelling.
- Apply your skills in diverse fields like publishing, marketing, law, user experience, and public administration.
Program Details
Degree Concentrations
Take your career any way you want! Explore the different degree concentrations we offer to personalize your education.
The creative writing concentration prepares you to be a versatile writer in a variety of business or nonprofit careers. You’ll explore authors from the past to sharpen your analysis of the present and future.
Courses give you a foundation in fiction, poetry, nonfiction and screenwriting. This major is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
The literary studies concentration prepares you for graduate school and a career in an academic or professional setting. You’ll explore courses focused on analyzing texts’ culture and history.
Small class sizes foster intellectually challenging conversations with faculty mentors and classmates. This program is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
The professional writing concentration prepares you for a career in business, nonprofit, technical and related professions. Professional writing courses focus on business and technical communication, with opportunities to learn argumentative, grant and travel writing.
This program is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
Career Opportunities
Diverse Career Paths
- Marketing (Marketing Directors)
- Human Resources
- Publishing & Editing
- Public Relations
- Grant Writing
- Copywriting, Technical Writing & Medical Writing
- Nonprofit Management
- Advertising
- Education (K-12 Public & Private Schools)
Notable Employers of Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø English Graduates
- Caterpillar
- OSF Medical Center
- United Way
- Department of Homeland Security
- State Farm
- Illinois Mutual
- ConAgra
- McGraw Hill
- University of Kentucky Press
- Los Angeles Superior Court
- AmeriCorps
Minors
The creative writing concentration prepares you to be a versatile writer in a variety of business or nonprofit careers. You’ll explore authors from the past to sharpen your analysis of the present and future.
Courses give you a foundation in fiction, poetry, nonfiction and screenwriting. This major is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
The literary studies concentration prepares you for graduate school and a career in an academic or professional setting. You’ll explore courses focused on analyzing texts’ culture and history.
Small class sizes foster intellectually challenging conversations with faculty mentors and classmates. This program is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
The professional writing concentration prepares you for a career in business, nonprofit, technical and related professions. Professional writing courses focus on business and technical communication, with opportunities to learn argumentative, grant and travel writing.
This program is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.