English

English Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

About English

Excel in today's information-driven economy with an English bachelor's degree.

Strong writing, communication and analytical skills are among the top traits employers look for. As an English major at PennWest California, you'll learn how to write at a professional level, express your ideas clearly and creatively, and read the work of others with a critical eye.

This bachelor's degree program will prepare you to perform at a competitive level in a wide range of careers in the publishing, education, and business sectors. English graduates have also proven successful in medical school and law school.

Gain a broad understanding. Focus on your interests.

  • From Shakespeare to digital storytelling, this four-year bachelor's degree program takes a comprehensive approach to the study of language, literature and writing.
  • In addition to core English courses, all undergraduate English majors choose a concentration in order to hone their expertise in journalism, creative writing or literature.
  •  For students interested in teaching English, PennWest California also offers a Bachelor of Science in Education with a certification in English to teach grades 7-12.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: ENGLISH

Real-world know-how: PennWest California English professors are actively publishing in their fields. They will teach you how best to position yourself for a career and how to monetize your writing.

Career Support: PennWest California prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge, integrity, character and experience. With the help of the Career and Professional Development Center, we'll connect you to potential employers through networking events, job shadowing opportunities, on-campus recruiting, job and internship fairs, and organizational visits.

Learn more about applying

100%
Of PennWest California English faculty are published writers, critics, scholars or poets.
100%
Of surveyed PennWest California English program graduates since 2013 are in jobs or enrolled in grad school.  
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Degree Benefits

At PennWest California, you'll have the opportunity to build a professional portfolio and showcase your work at:

  • The student-run literary magazine, The Inkwell.
  • The student newspaper, Cal Times.
  • The campus TV station, CUTV.
  • Our community-minded journalism publication, Cal Corner.
  • State and national conferences.
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Graduate Outcomes

The creative and critical skills you'll master in this degree program are in demand. PennWest California English alumni have found success in:

  • Publishing: writers, editors, reporters, producers, novelists and playwrights.
  • Education: teachers at the college and high school levels.
  • Business: managers, retail buyers and market analysts.
  • Graduate school: studying medicine, law and the humanities.

English Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's Degree Concentrations
  • Journalism Program: A concentration for English majors interested in a career as a journalist or freelance reporter.
  • Literature Program: A concentration for English majors interested in American literature and literary theory.
  • Creative Writing Program: A concentration for English majors interested fiction, poetry and other forms of literary writing.
Undergraduate Minors
  • Journalism Minor
  • Literature Minor
  • Creative Writing Minor
A journalism student.

Career at a Glance

What can you do with an English degree? Program graduate Jessica Vogel '06 is working as a freelance copywriter and journalist focusing on travel businesses, food and Pittsburgh.

PennWest California campus.

Delta Theta

The PennWest California chapter of the international honor society for English majors, Sigma Tau Delta, is the oldest chapter in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. It offers academic recognition, scholarships, internships, writing awards and more.