• Experience courses that emphasize small group discussion and provide opportunities to work closely with award-winning faculty.
• Enjoy the flexibility of focusing on particular areas of interest or pursuing second majors in other departments.
• The English department prepares students for work after graduation through internship opportunities and certificate programs in professional writing, professional science and technology writing, and editing and publishing.
• Develop high-level skills in critical thinking, analysis, research, and writing, which are all vital to academic success and effective leadership careers.
• The English department operates the state-of-the-art Avery Microcomputer Lab, equipped with Macs for undergraduate writing classes.
• The English department is home to Blood Orange Review, a nationally recognized literary journal that publishes emerging and established writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Visiting Writer Series: Serving over 2,000 students, staff, and faculty per calendar year, the WSU Visiting Writer Series brings poets and writers of fiction and nonfiction to campus for creative readings, class visits, workshops and collaborative exchanges across intellectual and artistic disciplines

Visiting Scholar Series: The Visiting Scholar Series brings nationally and internationally recognized scholars to campus for lectures, discussions, and workshops in various relevant disciplines including (but not limited to) literary studies, rhetoric, and English teaching.

The bachelor of arts in English is one of the most flexible and customizable degrees at WSU.

As an English major, you'll choose an emphasis from among four broad options, each with its own set of core courses. Each option provides room to choose at least five advanced English electives, so you can shape your major to match your own interests and goals.

Literary studies
Emphasizes literature, critical thinking, and writing. Ideal preparation for graduate education in English or literary studies; can also serve as preparation for careers in editing, publishing, and related areas. Also works well as a double major or in conjunction with a minor in another department.

Rhetoric and professional writing
Tailored to students preparing for careers in business, public service, law, or other professions requiring strong writing and reading skills. Also prepares students for graduate study and for careers in higher education specializing in rhetoric and composition.

Teaching
Specific training in the teaching of language and literature at the secondary-school level. Courses are coordinated with the Department of Teaching and Learning, and can lead to teacher certification in the state of Washington.

Creative writing
Focuses on creative writing in various forms (poetry, fiction, nonfiction prose). Can also serve as preparation for careers in editing, publishing, and related areas.

Certificates:

• Professional writing
• TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages)
• Professional science and technology certificate
• Certificate in editing and publishing

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, you'll need to do these two things:

• Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration, including departmental awards.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need. Get started here.

Click here for more info about about WSU scholarships and financial aid

For students in English

The College of Arts and Sciences awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year. For more information, see the CAS scholarships page.

The Department of English offers undergraduate scholarships from four different endowed funds, most providing $1,000 tuition stipends annually.

What you can do with a degree in English

• Creative and professional writing

• Publishing and editing

• Advertising and public relations

• Web content development

• Teaching

• Law

• Journalism

• Communications management

• Educational programming

• Media planning

• Public affairs and information

• Research and grant writing

Skills you can market with a degree in English

• Ability to explore meaning and express ideas

• Analytical talent

• Creative and critical thinking

• Effective oral and written communication

• Intellectual curiosity and cultural sensitivity

• Ability to work independently or collaborate with team members on research projects

Sigma Tau Delta is a national organization that has a local chapter at WSU.

The English Club hosts events of interest to English students, such as talks with faculty and English graduate students on publishing, graduate school, and jobs for English majors; poetry slams and other venues for students to read creative work; and poetry workshops, trivia nights, etc.

LandEscapes Literary and Arts Journal is an undergraduate publication meant to represent the creativity, ingenuity, and skill of all students at WSU. The journal is published once a year in the spring and contains fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, music, and graphic media created by students.

The English Department is home to Voices, an undergraduate academic journal, the purpose of which is to give opportunity and a spotlight to a large variety of academic interests from the perspective of undergraduate students.