Studying English at the Mount is like digging into a well-loved book: It’s a place where you feel at home, but there’s also always something new to surprise you!
One of the best things about being an English major is its versatility. With a strong focus on critical thinking and reading, interpretation, analysis, and communication, the skills you learn in this major are applicable everywhere!
Here’s what makes the Mount’s English major unique:
Ashley Neely '22"Studying English at the Mount has helped me grow as an individual. Not only has my writing and analytical thinking improved, but also my confidence and creativity. The English department is made up of a fun and dedicated group of people, who motivate you to do your best and succeed inside and outside of the classroom."
39 credits in English | C or better in ENG 2040 to continue | Maintain 2.0+ GPA
Learn about English major and minor academic requirements and courses here.
You’ll begin your English major with Foundations of Literary Studies, an introductory course taught in segments by three different English faculty. This unique course allows you to meet the English faculty and benefit from their different expertises and research specialties.
Following this course, you’ll take a variety of literature courses, including British Literature, American Literature, and Shakespeare, as well as more writing-based courses such as Tutoring Writing, Writing for the Professional, or Modern American Grammar. Finally, you’ll round out your experience with a capstone course, mirroring Foundations of Literary Studies but allowing you to take everything you’ve learned and apply it to a specific genre and time period.
Outside of the classroom, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to expand your knowledge. Maybe you’ll decide to write for our school newspaper or blog. You could participate in summer research with a professor or even be selected to present at the New Critics Conference or the Hudson Valley Medieval and Early Modern Undergraduate Symposium. Perhaps you’ll volunteer at the local community center in our college-run literacy program or tutor ESL students. Whatever you choose to do, our English majors are notorious for getting involved on campus and contributing to the community, so get ready to make a difference!
Though not required, English majors are highly encouraged to participate in an internship, which the Career Center can help you find! Mount English majors have interned at ABC, Hudson Valley Magazine, and Thornwillow Press to give them the hands-on experience needed to enter the professional world.
The possibilities are endless for how you can use your English degree following graduation. You could decide to become a teacher or professor, pursue copywriting or editing, or explore a related field such as marketing, law, and library science. The communication and critical thinking skills developed in this field can be utilized in so many different careers!
Here's how some of our English alumni are using their degrees:
Get to know the rest of our incredible Arts and Letters professors!