The 30 Best Colleges for English Majors

A public land-grant research university, Texas A&M University-College Station is home to the second-largest student body of any college in the United States. It’s also the only university in the state of Texas to hold all three designations as a land, sea, and space grant institution. This reflects its high level of research opportunities that are afforded to its students.

Texas A&M’s College of Liberal Arts among the best colleges for English majors. The bachelor’s degree in English is one of many in-demand majors you can find here, with others including unique fields like:

• women’s and gender studies
• political science
• psychological and brain sciences
• performance studies

The department of English language and literature is dedicated to the studies of cultures, language, and literature in parts of the world where English is a primary language. You’ll be able to explore concentrations in areas like:

• Composition and rhetoric
• English literature
• Film
• Science fiction
• Fantasy studies

Because of the wide array of English language and literature concentrations that are available to you as a student in this program, the exact courses you might take will vary. However, some of the most common ones include courses like:

• Technical and Business Writing
• Medieval English Literature
• The British Novel, 1870 to Present

The total semester credit hours required are 120.

With more than 269 majors for students to choose from, Purdue University is a smart choice if you’re looking for a university that will allow you to pursue your unique areas of interest. Purdue University is also among the best universities for English majors.

Purdue’s English major is meant to be as flexible as possible. Through this bachelor’s degree, you’ll be able to choose an area of concentration such as:

• English Literature
• English Education
• Global Context

As you might expect, you’ll do quite a lot of reading and writing as you explore the literature of America, Britain, and the rest of the world. 

Purdue’s English language and literature program is unique in that it can be completed in just three years. Although one year doesn’t sound like much, this early graduation timeline will make it possible for you to enter the workforce earlier—and to start pursuing your goals even sooner. Purdue’s English major requires 120 credit hours of study, with a curriculum comprising core, elective, and major courses.

Some of the major English language and literature courses you might take will include:

• Native American Literature
• First-Year Composition
• Critical Thinking
• Communication II: Modern World

Home to 14 colleges and schools offering more than 350 degree programs, the University of California-Berkeley was established in 1868 as the state’s first land-grant university. It was also the first campus of the University of California system and a founding member of the Association of American Universities. Finally, UC-Berkeley houses one of the best colleges for English majors in the nation.

UC-Berkeley’s Bachelor of Arts in English at the University introduces you to an elementary and more advanced level to the history of English language and literature. You’ll take classes like:

• Shakespeare
• Introduction to Old English
• Literature in English: the Mid-19th through the 20th Century 

There are plenty of ways you can customize your English language degree plan to help you meet your goals here, too. You can register for an English minor if you aren’t sure that you want to fully commit to the English major. You can also pursue the honors program, in which you’ll be able to take advanced courses and write an honors thesis. 

Not only that, but you can pursue academic credit for an internship. You will be able to complete critical and creative work on a topic related to your internship and also participate in other extra-departmental course work, like education abroad programs, summer session courses, and more.

A public land-grant research university, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is located in the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. The oldest and largest in the state university system, this university is organized into 19 different schools, colleges, and academic departments. 

Known as a Public Ivy, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers students a level of education that is comparable to those earned at an Ivy League institution. Here, through the College of Liberal Arts, you’ll find one of the best colleges for English majors that will prepare you for work in a diversity of fields. 

This English language and literature bachelor’s degree includes classes that fall under two course designators: creative writing and literature. As part of your core liberal arts requirements, you might take classes like:

• Survey of American Literature and Cultures
• Writing Differences
• Mediterranean Wanderings

If you want to branch out even further, you can add optional minors or certificates to your degree. In addition to an honors program, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities also has a fantastic certificate in editing and publishing and a minor in creative writing.

Need even more reasons to check out Minnesota’s English language major? Here are ten more reasons to study English at one of the best colleges in the country.

A public land-grant research institution located in Los Angeles, CA, the University of California-Los Angeles was founded in 1882 as one of the state’s first normal schools. With more than 337 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to choose from, UCLA is a smart choice for aspiring English majors.

The Department of English language and literature provides students, majors and nonmajors alike, with a variety of courses that cover the literature and cultures in the world in which English is a primary language. There is not only a Bachelor of Arts in English you can pursue here but also a Bachelor of Arts degree in American literature and culture and a concentration in creative writing. 

Some of the English language and literature courses you will take include:

• Literatures in English 1500-1700
• Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Disability, and Sexuality Studies
• Genre Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Critical Theory

UCLA’s English major comes from one of the best colleges for English in the nation. It will provide you with access to traditional areas of study along with groundbreaking research in new, more interdisciplinary approaches to literary studies.

Join the ranks of those who choose to study at the University of California-Irvine, and you’ll be joining a pretty impressive crowd. With seven Nobel Prize laureates affiliated with UCI along with seven Pulitzer Prize winners, the University of California-Irvine has a reputation for producing graduates who are not only successful, but proud of their origins.

Through the University of California-Irvine’s English department, you’ll find both a major and a minor in English language and literature. There is a specialization in education for aspiring teachers as well as a major in literary journalism and an optional emphasis in creative writing, too. Regardless of the specific courses and pathways you choose, you’ll enjoy a curriculum that will train you in language and literature.

You’ll take classes in English language and literature subjects such as:

• Studies in Literary Theory and its History
• Multicultural American Literature
• Topics in English and American Literature
• Society, Law, and Literature

To apply, you will need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The SAT or ACT are not required for admission but you will need to submit your official high school transcripts.

With more than 33,000 students enrolled in 16 colleges, the University of Illinois at Chicago is the largest university in the Chicago area. It was established only in 1982, but despite its young age, it’s one of the most reputable universities in the entire country. UIC is also one of the best colleges for English majors.

The Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago is available with an optional major in English. This English language and literature undergraduate program includes 12 credits of core requirements with classes such as:

• American Literature: Beginnings to 1900
• English Literature I: Beginnings to 1660
• Introduction to Literary Study and Critical Methods

You can also choose to take classes in English language and literature topics like:

• British, American, and World Anglophone Literature
• Media, Rhetorical, and Cultural Studies
• Professional Writing

This English language major is unique in that it will allow you to participate in a variety of hands-on activities, such as an internship in nonfiction writing or a portfolio practice. Through these experiences, you’ll gain the skills you need to be successful in just about any career.

Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa is the oldest and second-largest university in the state. With more than 33,000 students studying in more than 200 different majors, this school has plenty to offer prospective students. There are even over 500 different clubs and other activities for you to choose from!

The English language and literature major at the University of Iowa will provide you with the foundational skills you need to:

• Understand the English language
• Conduct close reading
• Engage in extensive research
• Participate in respectful debates

You’ll learn how to write critically and discuss issues with your peers. You can pursue a general major in English or one in English and creative writing or English and education. There’s even a literary publishing track you can add to your degree!

For the stand-alone English major, you’ll complete 36 semester hours, or 12 courses, including at least seven literature courses and one in writing. You may take approved courses in areas such as:

• Literary Theory and Interdisciplinary Studies
• Nonfiction and Creative Writing
• Transnational Literature and Postcolonial Studies
• Modern British Literature and Culture

There are even English language student organizations you can join here to help you jumpstart your career and make earning your degree even more enjoyable. For example, you might participate in honor societies like Sigma Tau Delta or events like the Inspiration Series.

Ranked as the sixth-best public university in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Florida is known for its academic excellence and its wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Among these is the high-profile best undergraduate English language program.

The Bachelor of Arts in English includes models of study such as:

• British and American Literature
• Creative Writing and Studies in Theory
• Film and Media Studies

There are plenty of minors you can add to your English language degree, such as an Asian American studies minor. It’s a great pathway for students interested in graduate school as well as those who would like to teach.

UF is also affordable. Tuition for this program is low and you can apply for a variety of scholarships, awards, and fellowships. Some of the most prestigious and sought-after options include the:

• Lipsky Awards
• O. Ruth McQuown Awards
• University Women’s Club Scholarships

Many English language and literature majors also choose to pursue paid internships to help them finance their degrees.

550 Student organizations.

729 Acres to explore.

70 Different majors to choose from.

These are all just numbers, of course—but numbers of which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is quite proud. UNC Chapel Hill offers some of the best English undergraduate programs in the country.

The English and comparative literature major is one of these options. Through this literature major, you’ll study film, literature, and media of cultural significance, learning how to write and research about all kinds of texts and media. You can choose to concentrate on seven different areas, including:

• Science, medicine, and literature
• Film studies
• Comparative and world literatures
• Writing, editing, and digital publishing

There are numerous English language and literature minors you might choose to pursue with this degree, too, including those in:

• Creative writing
• Comparative literature
• Latina/o studies
• Global cinema

This English language degree provides an excellent start for students who are interested in eventual graduate study. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has both master’s and doctoral degrees in English!

Another Public Ivy, the University of Michigan is ranked among the best public universities in the United States. This school has a reputation for its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. Additionally, Michigan is among the best colleges for an English major!

Michigan’s English major explores the content and structure of the English language as well as theories of language and literature, speech, and writing. This English program will prepare you well for work in a wide variety of careers, including law, business administration, and medicine. Additionally, students interested may pursue the optional teaching certification pathway.

You’ll take 30 credits in advanced English language and literature coursework, including one course in American literature, one in poetry, and one designated Identity and Difference. You will also take three in literature written before 1900.

As an English language major in this program, you’ll enjoy plenty of opportunities to branch out and broaden your professional horizons. A versatile degree, it’s offered by an English department that offers internship funding each year to a number of students to allow them to draw upon their training and experience as majors. Plenty of partnerships and opportunities to explore related fields like journalism through paid summer and on-campus work are also available.

A public college in New York City, CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College is a constituent college of the City University of New York System. It comprises three major academic schools, including the:

• Weissman School of Arts and Sciences
• Zicklin School of Business
• Marxe School of Public and International Affairs

Weissman School of Arts and Sciences is among the best colleges for English, and it is there that you will find a phenomenal bachelor’s in English language and literature. You’ll learn from a distinguished faculty that is one of the strongest and most diverse bodies on campus. These instructors have won a number of awards for their excellence in scholarship, service, and teaching. 

The English language degree here is known as a preprofessional major, as it opens the door to a variety of careers in fields like teaching, medicine, law, and business. Of course, it’s a good option for students who wish to write or work in publishing as well as those interested in continued graduate study in JD, MBA, and Ph.D. programs.

A public land-grant research university, the University of California-Davis was first founded as an agricultural branch of the state university system. Today, it is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities-Very High Research Activity and known for its commitment to providing undergraduate and graduate students alike with some of the best opportunities for hands-on learning.

Hands-on learning in an English degree? Sounds pretty far-fetched, doesn’t it? The reality is that the bachelor’s of English at UC Davis is one of the most integrated and immersive that you will find. As an English major at UC-Davis, you’ll be able to take a variety of core and elective classes that will enable you to pursue your academic and personal goals.

Some unique English language course titles you might pursue include:

• Literature by Women Before 1800
• Topics in Irish Literature
• Video Games and Culture

You can choose from multiple areas of emphasis as well, with options including Literature, Criticism, and Theory and Creative Writing.

Uniquely coeducational from its inception, Iowa State University has plenty to offer students interested in English. Not only are there more than 100 other degrees for you to choose from here, but you’ll also enjoy dozens of extracurricular activities. This public school is perhaps best known for its athletic teams, the Cyclones, who compete in Division I of the NCAA.

Iowa State’s English language major is incredibly flexible, consisting of 36 credit hours of study. With this degree, you’ll gain experience in the English language through areas like:

• Creative writing
• Rhetoric
• Literature
• English education
• Professional communication
• Literary editing

Regardless of your area of interest, you’ll take classes that are distributed across four English major group requirements, including:

• Critical Reading and Textual Analysis
• Texts and Language
• Advanced Communication
• Electives

English language and literature majors are encouraged to choose a minor or a second major. Many choose the minor in technical communication, but you can choose from any of the school’s many in-demand programs.

A public university located in Duluth, MN, the University of Minnesota-Duluth is home to bachelor’s degrees in 87 majors along with two dozen different graduate degrees. Founded as a state teachers’ college, UMD is a great choice for aspiring English language teachers. However, you don’t have to be interested in a career in education in order to benefit from this dynamic English degree.

The Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Minnesota-Duluth will provide you with the skills you need to make a difference in an ever-changing world. You’ll enjoy small class sizes that are offered in open seminar settings and taught by award-winning instructors. The English language curriculum is highly innovative and tackles topics in both print and publishing culture.

Not only that, but you’ll be able to customize your English language degree by choosing from a wide assortment of other minors and majors. You’ll have access to personal attention and individualized advice at all times so that you can both find and pursue your interests. 

You’ll be able to apply for a number of scholarships to help finance your degree. In fact, each year, the College of Liberal Arts awards more than $190,000 in scholarships from donors and alumni! You can join a number of student clubs, too, including the Literary Guild, a student organization that produces a literary magazine published on an annual basis.

One of the 10 campuses of the University of California system, the University of California-Riverside is located in a suburban district of Riverside. It also has a branch campus in Palm Desert. Originally, the school was founded as an experiment station to look into biological pest control and the use of growth regulators on citrus trees. 

Today, the school still exists as a groundbreaking innovator—but in many other areas of research besides just citrus! It is home to one of the nation’s top departments of English. As an English major at UCR, you’ll be able to take courses that introduce you to literary analysis and a wide selection of literary genres. Your courses may focus on literary periods (such as Romantic Victorian or 19th Century African-American) or on genres (like horror film or the dream vision). 

You’ll need to take a minimum of 59 units of study in the English language major, including a capstone research seminar that will provide you with hands-on experience in investigating an area of interest. If you aren’t sure where you want your studies to take you, don’t worry—each student here is paired with a faculty advisor for help in creating a degree plan that they can follow until graduation.

California State University-Long Beach is a public university located in Long Beach, CA with more than 82 different bachelor’s degrees to choose from, and it’s also remarkably affordable. It has one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, particularly if you are a resident of the state of California. The low tuition rates and the solid academics make California State one of the best colleges for English majors.

The bachelor’s degree in English at California State includes 120 academic units of study. You’ll be able to take classes that fall into a “general education” category as well as numerous electives and core courses. There are five different liberal arts options you can choose to emphasize in, too, including:

• Literature
• Creative writing
• English education
• Rhetoric and composition

You can also choose a “special emphasis” that will allow you to choose self-designed pathways like technical writing or other writing goals. 

As an English language major in this program, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous student organizations and to publish your work in a myriad of student journals, like the Watermark Journal and Riprap Journal. The English department sponsors numerous annual events and colloquiums, too, so you can network with peers and professionals in the discipline.

Founded in 1863, the University of Massachusetts Amherst first opened its doors as an agricultural college. Today, the school continues to offer degrees in agriculture and related sciences but also in a number of other rewarding, in-demand fields.

One of these fields is the English language. The Department of English in the Colleges of Humanities and Fine Arts offers courses that will provide you with plenty of opportunities for research and discussion. There are eight letters of specialization, one certificate, and an individualized option you can pursue. 

Specialization areas include:

• American studies
• Digital humanities and games
• Literature as history
• Social justice: Race, class, gender, ability
• The study and practice of writing
• Teaching the language arts
• Environmental humanities
• Creative writing
• Professional writing and technical communication

Of course, the individualized option is the best choice if you want to be able to design your own pathway through the major. 

As an undergraduate student in this English major, you’ll have access to all kinds of career development opportunities and internships, a must if you’re considering an English major. You’ll be able to get advice on interviewing, access to career workshops and career fairs, and much, much more.

A public university located in St. Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is one of the largest schools in the state with nearly 16,000 students and close to 110,000 alumni. Pursue an English language degree here, and you’ll benefit from an education that is truly one-of-a-kind along with access to a thriving alumni network. That will mean a lot to you when it comes time to look for a job!

At Saint Cloud State, majoring in English will prepare you both for career advancement as well as for an enjoyable academic experience. Here, you’ll have access to:

• An internationally-known teaching English as a second language and linguistics program
• One of the country’s best writing centers
• Instruction from devoted faculty who all have advanced degrees

Not only that, but you won’t be limited just to liberal arts undergraduate-level courses—you can take classes alongside master’s degree candidates to benefit from their expertise.

There are technically several English degrees you can choose from here. The broadest is the English studies major, but you can also pursue a Bachelor of Arts in subjects like:

• Creative writing
• Literature
• Linguistics
• Professional writing, media, and rhetoric
• Professional communications

The English department offers numerous master’s degree programs as well, along with pathways to earn your teaching license in the state of Minnesota.

Mayville State University is known as a “small university that has a big impact.” MSU is also a great choice for students interested in teaching careers. However, you don’t have to aspire to work in a classroom in order to benefit from the excellent English degree here.

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a major or minor in English at Mayville State, you’re sure to love everything that this bachelor’s degree has to offer. You’ll be exposed to the literary canon through your core course requirements and you’ll also be given the opportunity to form your own ideas through the creation of a final capstone paper.

Along with enjoying small class sizes, you’ll learn from faculty who have specialized backgrounds in the field of English language and literature. You can take classes both on-campus and online, and you’ll have access to a writing center that provides tutoring support and tons of potential job opportunities (like those as writing center consultants). You might also consider pursuing an English education major if you are interested in teaching in a classroom one day.

Of course, you’ll be able to participate in a variety of English language and literature student clubs and organizations when you choose to study on-campus, too. Among these is the English and Arts Club, an organization that puts on regular events and provides majors with ample networking opportunities.

Of the sixteen four-year universities in the University of North Carolina system, Western Carolina University is one of the oldest. Founded to educate students living in the mountainous western regions of North Carolina, the school now provides education in a variety of disciplines to students from almost every state and nearly three dozen countries. Western Carolina University is among the best colleges for English and literature majors.

The English major at Western Carolina University offers coursework in a variety of unique fields, including:

• Motion picture studies
• Professional writing
• Literature
• Teacher education

You’ll be able to enjoy English language and literature concentrations that will prepare you for just about any career or for a number of graduate degrees and certificates. 

Western Carolina faculty aren’t just expert instructors—they are also passionate enthusiasts of classic and modern novelists alike. You can choose from a basic Bachelor of Arts in English with four concentration options—literature, professional writing, English studies pedagogy, and motion picture studies. Alternatively, you can choose a dual degree program that’s best for those with interests in teaching. Western Carolina also offers a master’s degree if you’re interested in continuing your English studies.

Once known as the Industrial Institute and College for the Education of White Girls and later the Mississippi State College for Women, Mississippi University for Women is a bit of a misnomer in its modern age. That’s because it is now open to men, who comprise about 20% of Columbus, MS school’s student body. MUW houses one of the best colleges for English majors and anyone is welcome to apply.

The Bachelor of Arts in English at MUW offers concentrations both in teacher education and in creative writing. You can also pursue an additional certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. You’ll be able to explore the many literatures of the English-speaking world along with both creative and expository writing. The English language degree serves as an excellent pathway to the university’s many graduate degrees, too, including the Creative Writing MFA. 

You’ll benefit from a number of resources as a student here, including the UMW Writing Center. Here, you can receive tutoring or work as a writing tutor to help others develop their written skills. You can also access other resources like testing accommodations, career services, and more.

Located in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University is the eighth-oldest college in the United States. It was founded in 1766 but originally was a private liberal arts school. It was not incorporated into the state university system until much later, in 1945. Rutgers is now able to offer a variety of bachelor’s and graduate programs in an affordable and accessible manner.

Among the top best colleges for English majors, Rutgers invites students to choose from a wide array of English language and literature courses spanning American, English, and Anglophone literature. As a student, you will take 12 courses in the major, totaling 36 credit hours of study. Some of the classes you’ll take include:

• Foundations of Literary Study
• Survey of English Literature
• Shakespeare for the 21^st Century

You can also choose to pursue a 400-level seminar as a capstone experience. 

To apply to Rutgers, you’ll need to submit an online application along with a number of supplemental materials. You’ll need to provide the admissions office with a personal essay, a list of extracurricular activities, and an application fee along with a self-reported academic record.

Dickinson State University was first founded as a normal school, one of the many colleges on this list that was once primarily a teacher’s college. It opened with a goal of filling the need for qualified teachers in rural North Dakota, where fewer than a quarter of the region’s teachers were actually certified as teachers. Today, you can still pursue a teaching degree at Dickinson State—but that’s far from your only option.

Dickinson serves as a best college for English majors. Through the Bachelor of Arts in English, you’ll be able to take a variety of major and minor courses as well as those that fall into a “general education” category. You’ll study a range of English literature and writing styles and will be prepared to enter into a variety of arrears, including those in:

• Law
• Public policy
• Technical writing
• Human resources

Some of the classes you might take will include:

• Modern Grammar
• Structure and History of English
• Writing About Literature

You’ll also be able to choose from either a creative writing or a literature track, depending on where your interests lie.

The third-largest university in the state of North Dakota, Minot State University offers a variety of degrees at the graduate and undergraduate level. Enroll here, and you’ll become a “beaver,” joining in a chorus of your fellow students, alumni, and of course, the mascot “Buckshot the Beaver.” All while you cheer on the acclaimed sports teams that  participate in the NCAA Division II conference.

However, it’s not all about sports here. MSU is one of the best colleges for English majors. The English degree offers multiple pathways for you to consider depending on your interests and goals. You can choose to enroll in a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English, a Bachelor of Science in education with a major in English, and concentrations like literature and writing. 

There’s even an English minor if you decide that you don’t want to commit fully to the major.

With the Bachelor of Arts, you’ll take core classes like:

• Age of  Shakespeare
• Foundations in British Literature
• World Literature

As an English major at MSU, you’ll also be able to participate in research labs that will provide you with extensive hands-on experience.

With a main campus in Portales, NM, Eastern New Mexico University also has branches in cities like Roswell and Ruidoso. The largest regional comprehensive university, it’s also one of the most diverse. It is federally designated as a Hispanic-serving institution. 

This diversity is just one of the many things to love about this institution. Another is the high quality of academic programs you will find here and the fact that it is one of the best colleges for English. ENMU’s bachelor’s in English allows you to “study what you love,” with courses offered in:

• American, World, and British literature
• Technical writing
• Creative Writing
• Film

Most English majors take around four years to complete their English degrees but this varies depending on the student.

You’ll benefit from all kinds of student support services and access to service and interest-based organizations. Not only can you apply for a position with a campus publication, like The Chase or El Portal, but you can join the English Honors Club or participate in the annual summer writers’ retreat.

This English degree is also one of the most affordable. In addition to low tuition, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ENMU offers plenty of grants, scholarships, and loans for prospective and current students.

A public university located in Cleveland, MS, Delta State University is found, as you might expect, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. It was originally founded with a goal of providing programs in agriculture and teaching, but today offers 12 baccalaureate degrees in 42 different majors. 

The Bachelor of Arts in English at Delta State University is one the best undergraduate English programs in the country.  Offered by the Division of Languages and Literature, The bachelor’s in English provides access to high-quality instruction in English pedagogy, composition, literature, and more. 

The English major is equipped with concentrations in Literature, Philosophy, and Creative Writing to help you fully explore your passions, whatever they may be. You’ll complete 120 total credit hours of study and a senior capstone project. 

To apply, you will need to submit an online application. You should have completed a College Preparatory Curriculum with a minimum 3.20 GPA or have completed the curriculum with a 2.5 GPA and a score of at least 16 on the ACT (860 on the SAT).

A public historically black college in Elizabeth City, NC, Elizabeth City State College is a small university that’s home to just 2500 students in 28 undergraduate programs and four graduate degrees. 

There are a variety of programs offered by the Department of English and Digital Media at Elizabeth City State for you to choose from. In addition to a bachelor’s in English, you might also consider a digital media arts major. The English major includes 120 total credit hours of study with elective course options including:

• Voice and Diction
• Photojournalism
• Advanced Public Relations and Advertising
• History of the English Language

In addition to a variety of electives that far surpass the traditional “composition” and “literary analysis” categories, you’ll also be able to participate in a variety of writing workshops and even in internships. As a result, you’ll graduate ready to take on anything your new career throws your way.

If you’re looking to combine your passions for the English major with a degree in teaching, you will want to consider enrolling at Michigan State University. U.S. News & World Report ranks the graduate programs here as the best in the United States when it comes to secondary teacher’s education! Michigan State is also highly ranked for its degrees in fields like elementary teacher’s education, industrial and organizational psychology, rehabilitation counseling, and more. 

Michigan State also serves as one of the best colleges for English majors. The bachelor of English has four programs of study:

• Popular culture
• English education
• Creative writing
• Literary studies

However, you can also choose from a creative writing minor, a bachelor of arts in film studies, and two separate graduate degrees in English (a master’s and a Ph.D.). 

Regardless of the option you select, you’ll enjoy small class sizes with individualized attention from award-winning faculty, staff, and advisors. You’ll take classes that are focused on “active learning” through working with historical archives, research, and a myriad of creative endeavors. Of course, you’ll also become part of a community when you enroll here, too, as you begin to establish connections through things like mentoring, clubs, networking, and guest speakers.

Part of the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian State University is home to more than 19,000 students, some of whom study online. The school has more than 200 programs for you to choose from at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. App State houses one of the best colleges for English majors—right in the gorgeous Blue Ridge mountains!

In this English language and literature program, you’ll be able to focus your studies on World, American, and British literature along with film, English education, professional writing, and more. You’ll work closely with faculty to publish scholarly articles and books and to gain hands-on experience that will prove to be invaluable as you set out in your career.

In addition to a master’s degree in English, the Department of English at Appalachian State University has multiple undergraduate degrees. You can pursue a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on:

• Creative writing
• Film studies
• Literary studies
• Professional writing
• Secondary education

As an English major in any of these programs, you’ll enjoy ample access to departmental scholarships, an honors program, and a unique composition program. There are plenty of campus resources for you to navigate, too, including a university writing center that will help you build your skills in composition.