Bachelor of Arts in English (B.A.)
Program Options: Major, Minor
CCU’s English program stands apart because of its unique opportunities and distinctive philosophy.
You can choose from Creative Writing, Literary Studies, or Graduate Studies - all programs that will help you dive deeper into what you love. Along the way, you’ll learn to think critically, communicate clearly, understand diverse perspectives, and synthesize big ideas. These are the skills employers want most, no matter how the job market shifts.
Graduates from CCU's English program thrive because of CCU’s close faculty mentorship and high academic standards. You are prepared to go on to top graduate programs, publish your work in real journals, and build a career in fields like teaching, marketing, journalism, law, editing, finance, and library science — all areas where our graduates are currently employed. Under the guidance of experienced faculty, many students have written dozens of stories and essays in the Advanced Creative Writing courses that have been published in journals and magazines.
You’ll also find a strong sense of community here. From Shakespeare outings to film nights and our annual Christmas party and book exchange, you’ll have plenty of chances to connect with classmates and professors outside the classroom.
And in a world that leans heavily on technology, you’ll experience a refreshing, human-centered approach. We believe in the values of human instruction and close-knit learning communities. That means your professors teach, mentor, and grade your work—not AI. We focus on who you are and who you’re becoming as a person and a successful professional.
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English develop the necessary skills to thrive in multiple positions. English majors at CCU learn to:
- Read critically and analyze texts across a variety of genres in papers that feature clear, substantive, correct, and logical English
- Master the core content of American, British, and World literature and locate individual literary texts and authors in the context of historical literary development
- Create poetry, fiction, and non-fiction works with imagination and purpose
- Define and accurately employ common terms of literary criticism and theory and describe the development of the language and field of English
- Discern Christian elements and implications of literary works, including in student’s own creative writing
- Articulate analytical processes in clear, substantive, and logical oral presentations
From student publications and clubs to conferences and internships, English majors at CCU have the opportunity to dive in to a variety of out-of-class activities that feed the creative mind. Here are a few opportunities your résumé might include after completing your English degree:
- Paragon: Under the direction of appointed student editors, this annual publication is comprised of student art, photography, original poetry, and short stories.
- Inkwells: This club is a gathering of writers who look to impact the community for Christ through prose, plays, or poetry.
- Internships: CCU students have interned with many companies including, but not limited to: HCJB Global: Communications Internship, Colorado News Agency, THINK Journal, and Waterbrook Publishing
- Getting Published: Beyond the opportunities available at CCU, students have published works in: Baltimore Review, Tales from a Small Planet, Fathom Magazine, Adelaide Literary Magazine, and more.
Career Paths for English Majors
With a degree in English, graduates can pursue careers in many fields, including, but not limited to:
- Online and print publishing
- Fiction and nonfiction writing
- Journalism
- Public relations
- Marketing and advertising
- Arts and culture organizations
- Local and state government offices
- Law
- Education
- Library Science
Course Catalog
About the School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is united by a commitment to academic scholarship and the integration of faith into the learning process, helping you become an informed Christian scholar who is ready to lead and to make an impact on the world as you prepare for a career in humanities or social sciences. Academic programs provide excellent in-class instruction as well as relevant and experiential assignments designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge required for your chosen career.
The Humanities and Social Sciences faculty is dedicated to you as an individual student. Our professors are intelligent scholars and gifted teachers, but they are also mentors who care about helping you grow. You'll take courses in communication, psychology, and social science and will be able to apply what you are learning in the classroom by participating in academic clubs, attending professional and academic conferences, taking advantage of internship opportunities, and by studying abroad.