Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English

Looking for a degree that enables you to build the exceptional writing, critical thinking, interpretation, and analytical skills valued by top employers?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in English will help you do that—and much more.

By studying historical and contemporary examples from American, English, and world literatures,
you will gain deep insight into the human condition. You’ll explore topics ranging from gender to multiculturalism, building new perspectives about what drives human behavior. You’ll also acquire new awareness and empathy for those perceived as different or “other.”

In addition, you’ll study composition, textual strategies and terminology, linguistics, and various genres of writing ranging from fiction to non-fiction. You’ll participate in writing workshops and apply what you learn to produce a range of creative and fact-based writings that inform and engage your audiences.

Why choose a B.A. in English at Marian?

Forget the old stereotype about career options for English majors being impractical or low-paying.

An article titled “Liberal Arts Majors in the Data Age,” published in the July-August 2017 issue of Harvard Business Review, notes employers from Silicon Valley to the Pentagon realize the value of hiring English and other liberal arts graduates.

In fact, some of the world’s top government, entertainment, law, media, and other professionals were college English majors, including:

• Lena Dunham
• Jack Ma
• Conan O'Brien
• Mitt Romney
• Stephen Spielberg
• Clarence Thomas
• Barbara Walters
• Emma Watson

Whether you want to work for a high-tech start-up company, in a fast-paced industry like business or healthcare, write video treatments, TV scripts, and screenplays for film, or attend law school, a B.A. in English will help you make your career goals a reality.

As an English major at Marian University, you’ll get hands-on teaching, learning, internship, and related experiences that prepare you for a great career.

You will develop critical and creative skills in research, interpretation, problem-solving, information analysis, and cultural literacy—all skills that are in high demand in today’s economy.

Marian's English program provides a range of unique opportunities. In choosing this major, you can:

• Develop a customized plan of study based on your interests and career goals.
• Choose from an impressive range of required and elective courses.
• Strengthen your writing, communication, and teaching skills by working as a peer tutor in the Marian University Writing Center
• Gain editing and publishing skills through joining The Fioretti, an annual student-led literary publication.
• Polish your critical and creative work for a senior portfolio showcasing your writing.

With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll get individual attention and mentoring from English professors recognized for their scholarship and teaching.

Our faculty will encourage you to broaden your cultural horizons. As a Marian student, you will have opportunities to attend (and participate in) music, theatre, and arts events. You can also complete Maymester study-abroad courses as well as summer, semester, and year-long study-abroad programs.

Want to make the community a better place to live, learn, and work? Take advantage of service-learning opportunities throughout the academic year.

What will you study?

The 128-credit B.A. in English major requirements include completing general education, required, core, and elective coursework that explores the ways words shape, imagine and reflect our world and challenge cultural norms.

You will study a range of historical periods and genres of literature and issues in literary criticism and contemporary theory. You’ll strengthen and sharpen your writing skills, including those used in creative writing and journalism.

Recently offered classes:

• Public Action Writing
• African American Literature
• Remarkable Women of the West

Examples of some courses that you may complete include:

• Public Action Writing
• History of Literary Criticism
• Line Editing
• Literature and Medicine
• World Literature in Translation
• Advanced Creative Writing Workshop
• Remarkable Women of the West
• Public Action Writing
• African American Literature
• World Literature in Translation
• Creative Writing in Action
• Publishing & Print Culture

Sample four-year plan and checklist

Student Work

Why Carmel has a Better Life Expectancy Than Indianapolis

Twenty-eight miles. Twenty-eight miles separate two cities in Indiana: Carmel and Indianapolis. Only 28 miles, yet life expectancy differs by 14 years.

Read more

A Garden on Indy’s Near Northwest Side

Outdoor work is a fruitful and often tiring gift; but the tiring part doesn’t seem to apply to Tysha Ahmad’s volunteers at Mother Love’s Garden, eight lots located along 1105 and 1109 W. 33rd St., in Indianapolis.

Read more

What are your career paths?

From corporate communications to editorial positions with print and digital publications, English degree graduates have a range of career options from which to choose.

According to a 2018 report by BusinessInsider.com, the top jobs for English degree graduates are:

• Sales account manager
• IT project manager
• Proposal manager
• Web developer
• Nonprofit director
• Marketing manager
• Managing editor
• Marketing communications manager
• Technical writer

In a November 2017 article titled “Five Trends Shaping the Future of Content Marketing,” Entrepreneur.com reports technology is making is possible for businesses and organizations to target specific audiences with specific content that relates to them.

A growing number of jobs exist in content strategy and management. Examples of job titles in this field include:

• Content strategist
• Content marketing manager
• Web producer
• Social media manager
• Video production

Other jobs for English degree graduates include:

• Writer
• Editor
• Middle or high school English teacher
• Advertising copywriter
• Publicist or public relations manager
• Fundraiser
• Journalist

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports these occupational growth rates and average salaries for these types of jobs that are often pursued by English majors.