Read. Write. Create. Consider absolutely everything.
The University of Mary Washington English program draws the most versatile minds of the liberal arts and sciences, challenging you to investigate the great body of English-language literature, from Shakespeare to the graphic novel, and to produce your own works of literary and cultural analysis, fiction, journalism, poetry, memoir, and creative nonfiction. Study abroad for a summer to expand your perspective, or design your own internship as you develop and apply your creative, analytic, and communication skills. The future is wide open for anyone with the linguistic and cultural competencies at the heart of the UMW English major.
Degree Awarded
Students majoring in English who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English.
Areas of Study
At UMW, you’ll find relevant course offerings in ancient to modern literatures, literary theory, memoir, poetry, creative writing, journalism, magazine writing, digital storytelling, and more. Faculty bring passion and wide-ranging expertise to the study of language, literature, and their social and historical contexts, whether in the novels of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first century African-American literature, literature by LGBTQ authors, postcolonial literature, contemporary poetry or fiction, literature of the American South, environmental writing, electronic literature, and much more.
Career Opportunities
Every field values employees who can think critically and communicate clearly. Recent UMW graduates with English majors report employment in business, media, schools, government, and NGOs. They’re writers, editors, public relations specialists, teachers, IT professionals, lawyers, counselors, community organizers, business owners, and more.
Internships
Students may complete for-credit internships to gain knowledge and job experience. Many students study abroad to increase cultural awareness, broaden their perspectives, and develop skills for an increasingly international employment marketplace.
To earn honors in English, you must have a 3.7 GPA in the major and earn an A on an honors project approved by your advisor.
The major requires 36 credits in the Department of English and Linguistics, including introductory and upper-level linguistics, literature, and writing courses; one 400-level seminar; and electives including internships or individual projects. Majors select a concentration in either literary studies or creative writing (the former including at least 3 credits specifically focused on writing, the latter requiring at least 15 credits specifically in creative writing).
The Department of English and Linguistics offers numerous scholarships and awards.