Bachelor of Arts in English

Majors explore the imaginative and practical uses of English through courses in literature, writing, rhetoric, and language. They develop perspectives on human nature and cultural values through American, British, and other English literatures, they learn how to gather, analyze, synthesize, and communicate information, they gain mastery over their language. These skills help English majors find careers in such fields as publishing, business, industry, government, and teaching. English majors often go on to postgraduate study not only in English but in such areas as law, business, education, or other liberal disciplines.

Majors can emphasize writing, literature, or rhetoric, or a mix of literature, writing, and rhetoric. All provide a liberal education and all develop analytic and writing skills. Qualified students may participate in the career internship and in the English honors program.

Students interested in earning certification in secondary education should contact the College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Current high school student in his or her senior year
Student who has earned a high school diploma or a GED and has no post-secondary coursework
Student who has earned a high school diploma or GED and attempted 17 or fewer credits (semester hours) of college coursework at a regionally accredited college/university before attending Penn State
Official transcripts, which include all subjects studied each year and the grade/mark earned in each subject. TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based, TOEFL ITP Plus for China: A minimum TOEFL score of 550 , IELTS: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test.
International Baccalaureate (IB): Score of 5 or higher on the English Language & Literature (English A) exam