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English Major

Earn a bachelor's degree in English

As an English major at SBU, you will learn how to write effectively, understand the nature of language, appreciate literary traditions, think critically about literature and language, and organize your thoughts — all within the context of a Christian atmosphere.

Small class sizes foster a close-knit community in which lifelong relationships are formed and you receive individualized instruction and one-on-one advisement, setting you up for success in a variety of career paths after earning your Bachelor of Arts in English.

An English degree from SBU will prepare you for a variety of career paths. Our graduates are employed in a wide variety of jobs both in the U.S. and abroad!

The English degree is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Resources

Degree Plan

The SBU Advantage

Optimize your ability to communicate effectively through a variety of opportunities.
Develop your skills through participation in annual writing contests; selected entries are published in SBU's literary journal.
Meet regionally and nationally recognized literary artists who visit campus through the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series.
Discuss topics within language and literature from the perspective of Christian beliefs and values.

Faith Integration

Faculty in the department of language and literature intentionally integrate the Christian faith into classroom instruction by showing how Scriptural truths are foundational to educational practices and theoretical understandings. Classroom discussions of literature occur within the context of a Christian worldview. You will be challenged to consider how your faith affects your literary analysis and your writing.

Careers

SBU English graduates are equipped for a variety of career opportunities including:

Author
Editor
Freelance Writer
Librarian
Media Writer

Graduate Schools

Many SBU English graduates have pursued further education at institutions such as:

Baylor University
Missouri State University
Spalding University
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Missouri

University Writing Center

Put your learning into action by working as a tutor in the University Writing Center and working with other students one-on-one to provide individualized help and feedback on writing assignments and projects.

Writing Contests

Be recognized for your writing abilities by participating in annual writing contests. Selected entries are published in the department's literary journal.

Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series

Meet regionally and nationally recognized literary artists who visit campus to read from their original works as part of the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series. Authors also lead seminars for students particularly interested in the creative process. Past guest authors include Robin Jones Gunn, Marilyn Nelson, Ted Kooser and Naomi Shihab Nye.

Author Unknown

Join Author Unknown, SBU's campus poetry society open to any SBU student. Weekly meetings provide opportunities for you to express creativity by reading and critiquing original poems while spending time with students and faculty who share a passion for poetry.

Celebrations of Creative Works

Share your creative writing and join SBU’s writing community by attending readings. Each semester, students and faculty celebrate their own original creative works by participating in a reading of poetry, fiction, song, and other genres.

Full-Time Faculty

Dr. Autumn Finley, Associate Professor

Dr. Carla Kirchner, Associate Professor

Sigma Tau Delta

The SBU chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, is open to English and writing majors who maintain a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top third of their class.

Scholarships

As a student in SBU's division of language and communication, you will have the opportunity to apply for several privately funded scholarship awards available to English and writing students.

SCOP Journal

SBU students have the opportunity to submit their original works and be published in SCOP, the literary journal of SBU's Division of Language and Communication. Students also receive valuable experience with editing and publishing the journal.