Program Overview
English Program
The English program at Ohio State University offers students a comprehensive education in the field of English, with a focus on literature, writing, and critical thinking. Students in the program explore a wide range of topics, including the works of notable authors, the impact of colonialism on literature and culture, and the analysis of digital media.
Degree and Campus
The English program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree and is available on multiple campuses, including Columbus, Lima, Marion, Mansfield, and Newark. The program is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the English program is designed to provide students with a broad-based education in English, with a focus on literature, writing, and critical thinking. Students choose one of four concentrations based on their interests and career goals:
- Literature, Film, Folklore and Popular Culture Studies
- Writing, Rhetoric and Literacy
- Creative Writing: Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry
- English Pre-Education (for students interested in teaching middle and high school English)
Specializations
Students have the option to begin their English major coursework without declaring a specialization and may switch specializations without delaying their progress towards a degree should their interests and goals change over the course of their academic career.
Career Preparation
The English department offers a course focused on career planning for English majors, where students meet with alumni, examine the value of attending graduate or professional school, organize internship and job searches, and prepare job application and interview materials.
Study Abroad
Short-term and summer study abroad programs are available through the Department of English, including the Literary Locations course, where students spend a semester studying a site of literary importance before embarking on a ten-day class trip to that location.
Internship
Students are encouraged to pursue internships that will better prepare them for entry-level jobs in a wide variety of career fields or graduate school. Students can also earn academic credit for internships and other real-world experiences.
Honors and Scholars
Members of the Honors Program in the Arts and Sciences complete an Honors version of the English major, taking at least two upper-level Honors seminars as part of the 12-course major.
Research
Students in the English program regularly pursue independent research and creative projects under the direction of English faculty, exploring issues of personal, scholarly, and creative importance.
Student Organizations
English majors may be interested in joining student-run undergraduate organizations affiliated with the Department of English, including the English Undergraduate Organization, Mosaic Undergraduate Art and Literature Magazine, and The Grove: A Creative Writing Community.
Possible Careers
English majors are prepared for entry-level jobs in a wide variety of fields, including business, communications, finance, human resources, journalism, marketing, publishing, sales, and technology. Many English majors also go on to attend law school, medical school, or business school.
Salary Estimates
Graduates of the English program earn salaries that vary based on their chosen career fields and the length of time working in those fields.