English—BA

A Place to Create

In the English degree program, you will have opportunities to compose poetry and short stories, and to write essays on topics ranging from Shakespearean drama to justice and ecology.

With an English degree, you can create a future you may not have yet imagined. English students at Michigan Tech have a unique opportunity to work across disciplines: to double major or pick up a minor. With strong skills in communication as well as literary and cultural analysis, you will be prepared to pursue research, collaborate with your peers in other fields, and to launch a career in public, private, and non-profit sectors.

In English, we focus on the diversity of human experience. Our transnational focus on literary cultures draws attention to the ways we connect with one another as individuals and communities. Our graduates are empowered to create and take their role in a complex global society.

A Place For You

English is the place for you. With an English major, you can open doors to a wide range of career trajectories. Skills in analysis, research, creative thinking, and oral and written communication can lead to a wide range of careers. Be an educator, editor, entrepreneur, journalist, librarian, researcher, administrator, or social or political advocate. Our degrees also prepare you to pursue advanced degrees in literature, creative writing, medicine, law, and business.

Contact your Undergraduate Academic Advisor to learn more.

Schedule a Virtual Meeting

Tomorrow Needs Versatile English Majors

English majors excel in creativity, critical thinking, communication, and analysis, essential in our information-driven and rapidly changing society. English majors interpret complex data, write persuasive content, and navigate the cultural nuances required to bridge divides. They foster creativity and empathy, bridging gaps in an increasingly interconnected world.

With an English major, you can open doors to a wide range of career trajectories. Skills in analysis, research, creative thinking, and oral and written communication can lead to a fulfilling career. Be an educator, editor, entrepreneur, journalist, librarian, researcher, administrator, or social or political advocate. Our degrees also prepare you to pursue advanced degrees in literature, creative writing, medicine, law, and business.

43

free credits gives you flexibility to double major
15

maximum number of students in advanced-level major courses
50+

department-sponsored student cultural experiences
9
minors to pair your degree

English Majors Get Hired

English majors have a wide range of career trajectories and are highly sought-after professionals. Their strengths as analysts, researchers, and creative thinkers, along with their oral and written communication skills make them strong candidates for advanced degrees in literature, creative writing, medicine, law, and business. They are also well prepared to pursue opportunities in the public, private, and non-profit sectors as, amongst other things, teachers and educators, editors, entrepreneurs, journalists, librarians, researchers, effective administrators, and social and political advocates.

English majors earn salaries equal to most majors. English majors' mid-career salaries are equivalent to those of science and nursing majors, and higher than anthropology and psychology majors. They are lower than accounting and engineering majors, according to the Wall Street Journal Report on Salaries by College Major.

English majors have higher acceptance rates to medical school than social science or natural science majors, according to the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Report.

Career Opportunities for English Majors

Your future career options are unlimited with a degree in English Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Account Executive
Author
Communications specialist
Copywriter
Editor
ESL Instructor
Fundraiser
Grant Writer
Government Relations
Journalist
Marketing Representative
Proposal Writer
Sales Representative
Social Media Specialist
Speech Writer
Staff Writer
Teacher
Technical Writer

Companies Hiring English Majors

These are just some of the companies hiring English majors:

AmeriCorps
Art Institute of Chicago
Audacy Inc.
Chicago Public Media
Children's Literacy Initiative
Commonwealth McCann
Crain Communications
Cybertech Inc.
Dematic Corp.
Grand Rapids School District
Grosse Pointe School District
Herman Miller Inc.
Merkle
Northern Trust Corp.
Olympia Entertainment
Prime Publishing
Robert W. Baird
Rocket Mortgage
Trinity Health

Coops and Internships

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying English at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Preview image for Michigan Tech English Major video

"Here I am surrounded by people sharing a love for writing and reading; all things having to do with the Humanities."Kate Woodford '22, BA English

Study English at a Technological University

Combine your love of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) into a career that requires creativity, critical-thinking, and communication skills. Strengthen your capability in another language and build a broad cultural base. Develop critical skills to become a life-long learner who adapts to an increasingly technical and scientific world that is transforming rapidly. Learn the skills central to solving real-world problems in sustainability, human health, social justice, technology, and globalization. Our programs and faculty engage students and enrich campus by involving scholars from diverse fields in ambitious and meaningful projects.

Customize your English education: Take classes across any of three major programs. That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of humanities. Tailor your degree to fit your individual pathway with minors in the department. Choose communication studies, diversity studies, ethics and philosophy, journalism, media production, writing, or one of three modern languages (French, German, and Spanish).The skills gained in the English major (writing, research, analysis) are transferable to many different careers. Jumpstart your career and develop a unique perspective by combining English with a minor or two or other majors without adding extra time to your degree. For example, English majors can and do successfully gain admission to medical school and other health profession programs with a minor in pre-health professions. A minor in technical fields like computer science gives you valuable knowledge that helps you communicate effectively as a science writer or co-worker who needs to work closely with programmers. A minor in sustainability science and society will help you when dealing with leaders in industry, government, or non-profit organizations. English is also an effective path to law school or the accelerated Tech MBA® degree, particularly when combined with a minor in Law and Society or Business. Other options include psychology, and public health. There are over 80 minors for you to consider at Michigan Tech.
Get personalized attention: Our smaller department ensures your academic advisor and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. You can receive the guidance you need in a timely fashion.
Connect to internships: Develop professional skills, locate internships, and be successful in gaining work experience. The Humanities Internship Program helps students connect with internships on and off campus. Our Professional Development in Humanities course helps you learn how to present yourself well to employers and land a job. Through our micro internship program, 75% of English majors complete an internship experience while at Michigan Tech.
Get Involved: Participate in the Cin/Optic Communication and Media Enterprise to create visual art or join dozens of other Enterprise teams. Study Abroad with Humanities to places like Ireland or find another experience. Work as a coach in the Michigan Tech Writing Center. Write for the Michigan Tech Lode newspaper or another campus publication. Work in the Humanities Digital Media Zone (HDMZ) as a consultant or in another Learning Center on campus. Get hands-on experience as a DJ at WMTU-FM. Iftheatre is where you thrive, you can participate in a dramatic production or join a number of other visual and performing arts student organizations. Help shape the next generation by teaching at Summer Youth Programs or volunteering at a local school or with a community service organization. With these options, you can build a solid resume and portfolio, which you can improve with the help of Career Services.
Study Humanities in a STEM context: Benefit from being at a school with a strong STEM focus. Our students work, live, and play with engineers and scientists, developing the ability to work in diverse teams, to appreciate and seek out different perspectives, and to communicate effectively in the world of science and technology.

Undergraduate Majors in Humanities

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Specialize in a secondary discipline outside of or complementary to your major, expand your knowledge base, and boost your potential career options with these nine humanities-centric minors. A minor in a pre-professional program such as Pre-Law and Society or Pre-Health Professions prepares you for graduate school and future careers in law and medicine. You can declare a major anytime, but it is recommended you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

Communication Studies
Diversity Studies
Ethics and Philosophy
Journalism
Media Production
Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish)
Writing

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your creativity, critical-thinking, and communication skills at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in tomorrow's academia, research, non-profit, and high-tech business landscapes.

Initially drawn to Michigan Tech as a computer engineering major, I began realizing what my true interests were through editing and nature writing courses. I fully transitioned to an English major in the summer of 2020, with minors in writing, computer science, and German. Since I faced the truth that I didn't want to code for a living, I've found much more pleasure in schoolwork, connected more fully with my professors and peers, and became more active in my department.

Read Tucker's Story

Tucker Nielsen '23

BA English