Bachelor's in

English
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Bachelor's in English

About the English Program

Whether selecting the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in English, students will prepare themselves for their futures by becoming articulate writers and high-level readers and thinkers capable of bringing together both academic and hands-on experiences in their professional and personal futures. English at SRU is an integrated program where professional writing students also try their hand at creative writing and publication design, creative writers formalize their training in grant and health care writing, and literature majors engage in professional internships. This premier program cultivates research and scholarship grounded in the expectations and needs of daily life.

What Can I Do With an English Degree?

You can work as a grant writer, technical writer, editor, web-content strategist, librarian or teacher; or take up additional career options in publishing, law, government, business and higher education. According to national research on employer demands for employees, being fluent in writing, communication, collaboration, organization and critical thinking are in the top ten most desired skills in both non-profit and for-profit businesses. Recent research also reveals that many medical and law schools prefer English majors who complement their studies with pre-med and pre-law preparation. Powerful writers, readers, speakers and thinkers will always have the edge in professional and personal work in a global community.

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Why Choose an English Degree?

  • Experiences in Print and Digital Publication and Design
    Students may work as editors and staff members on one of several magazines to learn about manuscript selection, organizational management, copy editing, proofreading, layout and design. Students can work for the national literary magazine SLAB, The Roxy, and RockScissorsPaper. SLAB publishes creative writing from well-known and emerging artists, The Roxy celebrates student work in film studies; RockScissorsPaper includes student academic work and gives students digital writing publication experience.
  • Travel-Abroad Experiences
    Life-changing academic travel opportunities are offered to students by faculty in the department. Students may choose to travel to Japan, Canada (Stratford Festival), or England (London).
  • Online Writing Portfolio
    All students are asked to develop a writing portfolio. Students are encouraged to work with their advisers in selecting manuscripts to be included.
  • Professional Experiences
    The department annually sends students to showcase work as the international Sigma Tau Delta conference in cities like Portland, Minneapolis, and Louisville, as well as supports student networking at AWP, the national creative writing convention. Students are also supported in their statewide presentations at the English Association of Pennsylvania State Universities Conference. Students can also present their work at The SRU Symposium for Student Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity. Faculty guide students in presentation preparation through mentorship, direct instruction, and abstract writing sessions.
  • Scholarships and Internships
    The department offers monetary support through several scholarship opportunities, and advisers also work closely with students to acquire applied internships.
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English BA, BS and Concentrations

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English Literature, BA - Concentration in Language and Literature

You'll explore British, American, and World literature, studying a wide range of authors, historical periods, and cultures. The program also teaches you how to research, analyze, and understand the writing process.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
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English Literature, BA - Concentration in Literary, Film, and Cultural Studies

Teaches you to critically analyze various forms of media, from traditional print to contemporary visual communication. The program focuses on viewing literature and film as symbolic reflections of culture, teaching you to interpret texts within their political, economic, philosophical, religious, and technological contexts.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
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English Writing, BS - Concentration in Creative Writing

Offers students a comprehensive education in various genres, including poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. The program is ideal for anyone with a passion for the written word.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Student reading and writing

English Writing, BS - Concentration in Professional Writing

The major in Professional Writing will give you the skills needed meet the demands of a communicator in a variety of professional settings from businesses to non-profits.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
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English - Certificate

For a listing of this program’s undergraduate certificates and related offerings, visit SRU’s official program catalog page.

Catalog | Program List


Career Outcomes

While many SRU English majors will continue their education after earning their bachelor’s degree, graduates of the department have secured careers in the following areas:

  • Pediatric Physician, Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital
  • Content Manager, The Nature Conservancy
  • Content Marketer, Berner International
  • Content Strategist, Google - San Francisco
  • Director of Eldercare, Allegheny Health Network -Pittsburgh
  • Library Director, Bedford County Library
  • Content Strategist, Heinz History Museum
  • Development Associate, WQED Multimedia
  • Professor, Grove City College; University of Toledo; Oregon State University
  • Department Chair and Teacher, Wilmington School District
  • ESL Instructor, Bahrainc

Internship Opportunities

SRU English majors have completed internships in various locations including:

  • Butler County Humane Society
  • The Carnegie Science Center
  • Center for Public Humanities at SRU
  • Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
  • The Heinz History Museum
  • Pennsylvania House of Representatives
  • Pittsburgh Magazine
  • Slippery Rock Community Library
  • Slippery Rock Economic Development Committee
  • Smithsonian National Postal Museum
  • Thomas Merton Center

Clubs & Organizations

  • RockScissorsPaper: Online literary magazine
  • Sigma Tau Delta International English Honorary
  • SLAB: Award-winning, student-run literary magazine
  • The Roxy
  • Young Adult Literature Book Club

Resources

From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.

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