The English Major can take you to places you haven't imagined yet.
Words are central to how we understand what it means to be human. After all, from the very beginning, the book of Genesis tells us, God brought the universe into being with words. So words and the structures they create—whether linguistic or literary—merit good, careful attention to not only understand them but also to use them well, too.
Offering both broad preparation and specific concentrations to help you go deeper, the English department is a place where you can explore words in many contexts.
We offer a wide selection of courses including:
- Literary offerings from across the millennia and around the world
- Range of classes that study language in all its complexity
- Welcoming spaces where you can develop your own writing
Each step of the way, the English department’s committed Christian professors will travel with you, helping you discern one of the many, many areas where you might use your love of words.
At heart, studying English helps you analyze more critically, write more winsomely, and understand God’s world in all its beauty and complexity.
We'd love to welcome you to the English department!
Exciting Student Opportunities
The English Department offers opportunities to research, publish, lead, work, and study abroad—all while becoming part of a vibrant community centered on language and ideas.
Practical Experience
Our innovative internship program, required of all majors, helps you test out your interests and gain experience. Students benefit from our long-standing connections with employers and publishers.
Customizable Experience
With so many classes, you can choose your route through the major. The program also offers an adjusted major path for double majors, allowing English to be paired with complementary fields to broaden career possibilities.
An English major opens doors to a multitude of career paths.
With the knowledge and skills you gain from your degree, you will be prepared to engage and serve the world — with passion and truth. Some of the areas where you’ll find English majors:
Publishing: Research, write, or edit as part of the publishing team for books, poems, magazines, blogs, or other content.
Writing for the Marketplace: Write, edit, or design for universities, government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and media outlets.
Librarianship & Arts Management: Connect people with information, literature, and the arts through libraries, museums, theaters, galleries, and other cultural organizations.
Law and Ministry: Excellent preparation to pursue further study in these fields. Or pursue ministry in other contexts.
Business and Non-Profits: Use your communication skills to advance the work of businesses and nonprofits in areas like environmental advocacy, human resources, fundraising, marketing, and community engagement.
Technology and Industry Specialized Writing: Work in large-language models or combine an English degree with another area of study to fill the extensive writing needs of engineering firms, healthcare, computer systems companies, software publishers, and more.
Teaching at Any Level: Linguistics, literature, or writing can prepare you to teach those subjects, or specialize in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language).
One major. Four concentrations to choose from.
Our Scholarships
You are eligible for our department scholarships!
Named Scholarships
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Faculty
Ben DeVries
Jenny Gill
Andrew Hicks
Jennifer L. Holberg
Sabrina Lee
Amy Sonheim
Doug Sonheim
Libby Turows
Deborah Visser
Jane Zwart
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Make use of The Rhetoric Center
The Rhetoric Center provides free assistance with composing written, visual, and oral assignments. We work with students from all majors with all kinds of papers and speeches at any stage of the creative process.