English

A degree in English allows you to pursue your passions while gaining the career-readiness competencies employers value the most: expert communication skills paired with creative and innovative thinking! As an English major, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world through the study of literature and writing in its many forms.

We have the most diverse course selection of any comparably sized college in New England. Our department boasts a wide array of courses in British, American, European, and nonwestern literature, as well as an exciting range of specialized writing courses. You can take a course in Postcolonial, Contemporary Latinx, or African American Literature. Other courses we offer include The Graphic Novel, Young Adult Literature, Irish Literature, Victorian Hauntings, Modern Drama, Contemporary African American Poetry, LGBTQ Literature, Caribbean Literature, Shakespeare’s World, and Global Film. We also offer an exciting array of writing courses—from Writing Fiction and Writing Poetry to Grant Writing, News Writing, Writing for Online and Social Media, and so many more!

We offer an impressive range of concentrations and minors focused on job preparation and areas of specialized study. You can choose from Journalism, Professional Writing, Creative Writing, Film Studies, African American Literature and Film, Children’s and Young Adult Literature, our Teacher-Licensure Program, and the dynamic new field of Digital Humanities. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn both a B.A. and an M.A. in five short years through our 4 + 1 Program!

Classes are small and discussion-based, allowing you to build close, individualized relationships with English faculty and fellow students. You’ll experience annual special events; the pride of being part of student publications, including our award-winning student newspaper; memorable field trips to Concord, Boston and New York City; and faculty-led study abroad programs to India and beyond. Join us!

Get Involved! English Clubs, Author Events and More!

It’s illegal to be bored if you’re an English major! In a typical year, you’ll meet inspiring published authors, share your voice at open mics, and attend our film series, poetry festival, and awards ceremony, dubbed “The English Oscars.” You’ll publish your work in FSU’s student literary magazine, The Onyx, and you’ll have the opportunity to join FSU’s award-winning student newspaper, The Gatepost, which for 15 years running has won dozens of Mark of Excellence Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Internships for English Majors

Our partnership with the Mancuso Humanities Workforce Preparation Center offers stipends for course-credit internships and helps identify off-campus internships in Boston and in the MetroWest region. On-campus internship opportunities include working with Campus Publications, Career Services, the Library Archives, the Sports Information Office, our Center for Digital Humanities, and even our English Department social media sites!

Careers in English

The strong reading, critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills you develop as an English major will prepare you for any career you wish to pursue after college. Many English majors go on to graduate school as well as rewarding careers in law, publishing, editing, teaching, technical writing, journalism, sports media, public relations, non-profit proposal and grant writing, higher education, marketing, social media, and library science. Many students go on to earn advanced degrees in these diverse fields.