Skip to main content

Secondary Menu

  • Hotline
  • Give Now

Call to Action Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Visit Us
  • Apply Now
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Information for:

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Donors & Friends
  • Business & Industry
  • Visitors
Penn State Behrend mark Home
Penn State Behrend mark Home
Penn State Behrend
Search

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Donors & Friends
  • Business & Industry
  • Visitors

Secondary Menu

  • Hotline
  • Give Now

Call to Action Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Visit Us
  • Apply Now

Main navigation

  • This is Penn State
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Research and Outreach
Information for:

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Donors & Friends
  • Business & Industry
  • Visitors

Main navigation

  • This is Penn State
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Research and Outreach
  1. Home
  2. School of Humanities and Social Sciences
  3. Academic Programs
A student selects books from the stacks at Penn State Behrend's Lilley LIbrary.

English

What can you do with an English degree? Everything! It is among the most versatile of college degrees.

With the B.A. in English from Penn State Behrend, you’ll learn to reason critically, write cogently, construct and deconstruct ideas and arguments, and verbalize opinions and judgments—meaning you’ll develop a diverse set of skills that will prepare you for almost any career field.

Why Penn State Behrend?

You’ll tailor your English degree by pursuing one of two options within the program: Literature, Film and Culture, to explore works within their cultural and historic contexts; or Professional Writing, to prepare for writing and editing careers.

Penn State Behrend’s focus on hands-on learning means you’ll have lots of opportunities to practice your professional skills. You can participate in student-run media organizations, join the editorial staff of Lake Effect, our award-winning international literary journal, or take part in other student organizations related to your major.

Grad cap symbol

What Will I Study in English?

Behrend’s program is traditional in emphasizing reading, writing, and literary analysis, but it is also a dynamic, forward-thinking interdisciplinary program with required courses in professional writing, film studies, gender studies, and digital humanities.

To see the full English curriculum, visit the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Briefcase symbol

Who Hires English Majors?

English graduates work as teachers, researchers, business and technical writers, journalists, public relations specialists, social media managers, advertising specialists, marketers, and lawyers, among other fields.

Your B.A. in English will also leave you well-prepared to pursue a graduate degree, particularly in law.

Heart symbol

More to Love

The B.A. in English pairs well with the minor in History, or even the B.A. in History as a double major. Students in both fields learn to analyze documents, weigh information, and consider the contexts in which writing developed.

Interested in technology and information systems? Consider a concurrent major in Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT).

Ready to learn more about Behrend’s B.A. in English? Contact our Admissions team or the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

 

English

  • Objectives and Outcomes
  • English Faculty
  • Request More Information

See Also

  • Curriculum
  • University Bulletin
  • English Minor
  • English Language Study Center

PROGRAM CHAIR

Dr. Janet Neigh
124 Kochel
814-898-6447
[email protected]

Apply Now
Learn More
A Penn State Behrend English major participates in a literature class.
Play Video

English at Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend

4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6000
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Behrend highlighted

Secondary Menu

  • Hotline
  • Give Now

Call to Action Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Visit Us
  • Apply Now
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, offers the learning opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming, student-centered campus environment.
Information for:

Information Menu

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Donors & Friends
  • Business & Industry
  • Visitors

Footer Menu

  • +This is Penn State
    • Behrend At A Glance
    • College History
    • College Leadership
    • College Strategy
    • Employment
    • People & Departments
  • +Academics
    • Majors & Minors
    • Graduate Programs
    • Academic Advising
    • Bookstore
    • Career Planning
    • College Registrar
    • Learning Resource Center
    • Lilley Library
    • Study Abroad
  • +Admission
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Adult Learners
    • International Students
    • Veterans
    • Visit Us
  • +Research/Outreach
    • Faculty Research
    • Student Research
    • Community & Workforce Programs
    • Innovation Commons
    • Knowledge Park
    • Pennsylvania Sea Grant
    • Plastics Training Academy
    • WPSE Radio
    • Yahn Planetarium
    • Youth Outreach
  • +Student Life
    • Student Leadership and Involvement
    • Athletics & Intramurals
    • Equity & Diversity
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • International Student Services
    • Student Services
  • +Academic Schools
    • Black School of Business
    • School of Engineering
    • School of Humanities & Social Sciences
    • School of Science
    • Nursing Program
  • +Tuition & Aid
    • Tuition & Costs
    • Financial Aid
    • Grants
    • Scholarships
    • Veterans Benefits
  • +Resources
    • Behrend Blog
    • Calendars
    • Campus Map
    • Directions
    • Parking
    • Safety on Campus
    • Virtual Tour

Connect with Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • instagram
  • youtube
Penn State University
Penn State University

Footer Info Menu

  • Employment
  • Hotline
  • Website Feedback
  • Map
  • Search
4701 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563 | 814-898-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
The Pennsylvania State University © 2022