English Degree
Discover your writing voice and delve into the rich history of English literature with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hardin-Simmons University. Our English degree prepares you for rewarding careers in education, library science, law, and communications, as well as top graduate programs.
With courses in the literature of America, England, and other countries, you’ll learn about the diverse movements, styles, and authors who have helped to shape the literary world. You’ll build strong problem-solving, communication, research, and critical thinking skills — adding to your marketability in nearly every industry. You’ll also benefit from a close-knit community of faculty, alumni, and other English majors who share your passion for reading, writing, and learning.
Develop Your Creative Voice at HSU
Don’t just read great literature. Create it. Learn the fundamentals of writing and providing feedback to others from highly skilled and published faculty with a minor in creative writing.
In addition to practicing writing fiction and poetry, you’ll also learn how to write for social media, crafting concise messages that attract and persuade online and mobile readers. With a focus on learning how to give and receive feedback, as well as how to write for different audiences, our versatile creative writing minor degree is a great complement to any degree.
Program Contact
Dr. Traci Thompson
Department Head of English; Professor of EnglishRequest Information
Majors
Minors
Why Major in English at Hardin-Simmons?
Building Community
HSU’s English degree program offers more than an exceptional education. It’s also about community. When you major in English at HSU, you’ll be surrounded by others dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and creativity. Thanks to our Lawrence Clayton Poets and Writers Speakers Series, you’ll also get many opportunities to speak to and learn from nationally recognized, award-winning writers every year. Prestigious guests have included the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Tyehimba Jess.
Hands-On Experience Tutoring
Sharpen your language skills and gain experience teaching as a tutor in our Writing Center. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of helping other students learn how to communicate their ideas and beliefs. Best of all, you’ll start building a robust resume with experience editing, proofreading, and leading.
Experienced and Caring Faculty
Thanks to our small class sizes, you’ll receive individual attention and support from our world-class faculty mentors. Our faculty have years of experience researching, publishing, teaching, and demonstrating a commitment to education enlightened by their faith. Even after graduation our faculty will keep in touch with you, helping you find graduate programs or rewarding jobs for English majors.
Literature Opens My Mind
“I have grown so much in my understanding of culture/aesthetics. Literature opens my mind to other stories—maybe similar to mine or very different—that reveal the value of every person’s experience no matter where they were from or what they believed. The HSU English Department encouraged me to look at the human experience found in every book/poem/story we read. We are all influenced by the culture that surrounds us. It’s important to learn how that can make us better people and better writers who share our world in meaningful ways.”
What Can You Do With an English Degree?
There are few degrees as versatile as a B.A. in English. The ability to write well and think critically will always be in high demand for employers across any professional industry. Students who major in English at HSU have gone on to prestigious graduate programs to continue their English education. They’ve found careers in churches, tech companies, newspapers, and schools. We’re extremely proud of our 100% pass rate for the TExES certification exam for students going into teaching.
In addition to the satisfaction of pursuing your passion for literature and writing, you’ll also benefit from the remarkable job security of many jobs for English majors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment for writers and authors is predicted to grow about 9% over the next decade, adding more than 15,000 new jobs each year. Technical writers can expect even better job growth, with a predicted 12% increase in jobs.
Jobs for English Majors
- Copywriter
- Journalist
- Editor
- Educator
- Social media coordinator
- Paralegal
- Public relations coordinator
- Technical writer
- Grant writer
Salary for Graduates
Because the jobs for English majors vary so widely, your salary potential depends greatly on your career path.
For example, if you’re passionate about teaching, high school teachers typically make between $40,866 to $69,423. Earnings for college English professors range from 76,882 to $153,052.
If you want to pursue a career in professional writing, you can look forward to earning a salary somewhere between $51, 858 and $65,795.
