BA in English

English

On Campus

Our English major encourages students to engage with a variety of literary texts and genres while learning how to write with eloquence and style. Through the program, students gain a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, histories and perspectives and develop versatile skills that prepare them for careers in academia, business, law and communications.

Students listen and read along with a visiting acclaimed poet.

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Express yourself with elegance and style

The BA in English embraces small, student-centric discussions that challenge students to consider the forces that shape great works of prose and poetry. With immense flexibility for students to take courses that align with their literary interests and career goals, the BA in English empowers students to analyze literature from a variety of lenses while writing with technical and emotional precision.

In partnership with dedicated academic advisers, our students will design a program of study that strikes a balance between literature and composition. We offer a wide array of courses, with particular focuses on the literary history of underrepresented writers and period-based studies of American and British literature as well as intensive writing courses covering critical theory, analysis and creative writing.

The versatility of this major encourages many students to pursue a double major or minor in complementary disciplines such as law in society, psychology, theater, biology, film, journalism, game design and public relations.

Elyssa Wrubel day in the life video in Morocco — Join Elyssa Wrubel '20, an English major, as she takes you abroad with her on an anthropology trip to Morocco.

Double Helix: A Journal of Critical Thinking and Writing

A female student flipping through a textbook

Double Helix is an international, peer-reviewed journal of pedagogy. It publishes work addressing linkages between critical thinking and writing in and across the disciplines, and it is especially interested in pieces that explore and report on connections between pedagogical theory and classroom practice.

Each fall, an internship is available to students, during which they will collaborate as an editorial team on a volume of the journal. Under the guidance of the associate Editor, with oversight from the editor, students work with professional manuscripts from submission through publication, acquiring experience with all phases of the editorial process. Students who complete the internship receive three course credits, are permanently listed on the journal site as assistant editors for that volume and gain hands-on experience applicable to editorial positions in all fields.

Learn more about the journal

Quinnipiac hosted acclaimed poet John Murillo

Acclaimed poet John Murillo speaks at an addition to Quinnipiac's Creative Writing Series.

Quinnipiac recently hosted a poetry reading and questions and answer session with acclaimed poet John Murillo.

“John Murillo is one of the leading voices in contemporary American poetry today, a peerless craftsman who writes with great personal intensity about social and political problems faced by Black and Latinx communities,” said Jason Koo, associate teaching professor of English at Quinnipiac. “He is the winner of the prestigious Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award for his second collection of poems, Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry, one of the biggest poetry prizes in the world.”

The event, which was free and open to the public, was part of Quinnipiac's Creative Writing Series.

Murillo is the author of the poetry collections, “Up Jump the Boogie,” a finalist for both the Kate Tufts Discovery Award and the Pen Open Book Award. He additionally published another book, “Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry,” winner of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and the Poetry Society of Virginia’s North American Book Award, as well as a finalist for the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry and the NAACP Image Award.

Versatile skills for various careers

The study of English, in all its many forms, is designed to help students develop and sharpen transferable skills to stand out in a competitive job market. Our students graduate with strong communication abilities and are capable of high-level analytical thinking, innovation, problem-solving, analysis, persuasion and negotiation.

These skills are incredibly valuable in a wide spectrum of potential careers. Graduates of our program have secured jobs in government, public service, not-for-profit foundations, public relations, advertising, print and digital publishing and other business fields. Many of our students have also pursued graduate study in English, creative writing, education, law and business as well.

Examples of careers for English majors include:

Consulting
Corporate Communications
Grant Writing
Digital Copywriting
Information Architecture
Research Analysis

Copywriting
Editing
Journalism
Public Relations
Publishing
Screenwriting
Speechwriting
Technical Writing

Academia
Contracting
Elementary or Secondary Education
Law School
Mediation
Paralegal

Learn more about relevant graduate programs:

Career-Building Resources

An arts and sciences student speaks with a career adviser in the school advising commons

Design your career path

With an abundance of career-focused information and resources, the career advisers within the College of Arts & Sciences support students as they expand their professional networks and attract the attention of prestigious employers.

Learn more about career development

A fast track to becoming an impactful educator

Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching with one additional year

Our Dual-Degree BA or BS/MAT programs allow you to gain the hands-on skills needed to thrive in an elementary, secondary or special education classroom. These programs enable you to seamlessly complete both your undergraduate and graduate studies in just five years. Our immersive, hands-on curriculum consists of classes, internships and student teaching experiences to shape you as a leader in education.

BA or BS/MAT in Elementary Education BA or BS/MAT in Secondary Education BA or BS/MAT in Special Education

The Annual Scinto-Engel Colloquium

Elliot Wilson speaking at a podium — Elliot Wilson ’26, Thornton Wilder Fiction Prize winner.

The Scinto-Engel Colloquium is an annual celebration that recognizes the outstanding achievements of English students in language, literature and writing. This event honors the recipients of the Alice B. Remail Memorial Award, the Thornton Wilder Fiction Prize and the Donald Hall Poetry Prize, showcasing the exceptional talents that embody passion for literary excellence. Attendees have the opportunity to hear readings from the award-winning works, engage in thought-provoking discussions and connect with fellow literature enthusiasts.

2024 Colloquium

The Thornton Wilder Fiction Prize is a student fiction contest in honor of Thornton Wilder, Pulitzer-Prize-winning novelist and playwright, and longtime resident of Hamden.

Winners: Madeline Napeloni ’26, Rebecca Huyck ’26 and Elliot Wilson ’26

The Donald Hall Poetry Prize is a student poetry contest in honor of Donald Hall, former U.S. Poet Laureate and native of Hamden.

Winners: Riya Miller ’24 and August Bishop ’26

Alice B. Remail Memorial Award is presented to the graduating student majoring in English with the highest academic record and is given in memory of a distinguished member of the department.

Winners: Emily Vail ’24 and Paige Pezzella ’24

An active community of creators

The English major is both active and engaging. Our Visiting Writers Series brings professional authors and poets to campus for public readings and discussions while our Student Writers Series spotlights the exceptional work of Quinnipiac’s most creative undergraduates. Montage, our student-run literary journal, provides opportunities for hands-on editing and publishing experience in addition to The Quinnipiac Chronicle and other student-run publications. A select number of students who display strong talent and passion for literary study are even invited to join the English Honors Society.

Photo: Patricia Comitini, professor of English, leads Quinnipiac students on a scholarly expedition to the renowned Lewis Walpole Library.

In Their Words

Teresa Pellicano ’14

"Thinking back to my English degree, the skills I learned that were most valuable in my career trajectory were not just reading and writing, but the ability to write in a variety of styles, and think critically and creatively about what I was writing. Over the last few years, it has become clear that storytelling is the common thread through everything I’ve done in education and my career, and extends to my hobby interests, as well."

Sam Chaney ’10

Field Director, Cynthia Nixon for New York

“Quinnipiac has some of the most dedicated, learned and inspiring professors you could ask for. The critical reading, thinking and writing skills that I developed at QU propelled me to positions across the country as a project manager and serve me now in the greatest, most diverse city in the country, NYC. The skills you take from this campus can take you anywhere.”