Bachelor of Arts in English New England campus experience
Program Overview Why get an English degree on campus?
You could turn your passion for reading and writing into a career or gain the communication and research skills prized by employers in Southern New Hampshire University's Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English program. From thinking critically to writing effectively, you'll have the opportunity to work closely with knowledgeable and experienced faculty while gaining a vital skill set that's highly sought after and crucial to career growth in virtually any field.
Skills you'll learn:
- Critical and creative thinking
- Cultural literacy and analysis
- Written and oral communication
- Analytical writing
- Debate construction
- Collaboration
Courses & Curriculum Master the written word with on-campus English courses
The courses and curriculum of SNHU's English degree are designed to help strengthen your critical and analytical thinking skills as they relate to literary form, genre, culture, structure and style. Additionally, the English BA includes an extensive overview of American and British literature and a sampling of world literature. In this program, you'll be asked to demonstrate skills of literary analysis, as well as utilize oral and written communication skills in solo and group settings.
Interested in learning in an online environment? This same curriculum is offered through SNHU's online Bachelor of Arts in English degree program.
Campus English degree concentrations
Looking to specialize your degree? SNHU offers 2 concentrations for the BA in English degree.
The BA in English with a concentration in Literature is designed for students interested in concentrated literary study, secondary education majors and other students seeking education-related careers such as college teaching or instructional design. In this concentration, students will immerse themselves and become well-versed in literature from multiple time periods and genres.
The BA in English with a concentration in Professional Writing is designed for students interested in technical writing, editing, publishing and web-based careers such as social media editing, copy editing and web development. During a time when branding is on the rise and companies are looking for talented writers to tell their stories, having this concentration in your toolkit could be useful in the job market.
Learn from instructors with industry experience
Our faculty bring with them decades of knowledge and experience in English, which informs the development of SNHU's courses and curriculum. They look forward to supporting your journey both in the classroom and as you work toward a career in your field.
Susan (Sue) Cook
Position
Professor and Department Chair, English
Joined SNHU
2011
Education
- PhD in English Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara
- MA and BA in English Literature from Boston College
Dr. Susan E. Cook's research focuses on Victorian literature, media history and gender studies. She teaches courses in composition; 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century British literature; gender studies and the digital humanities. She's published in venues such as Nineteenth Century Studies, Dickens Studies Annual and Pedagogy, and her book, "Victorian Negatives," was published by SUNY Press in 2019. She's the president of the Nineteenth-Century Studies Association and the treasurer of the Dickens Society.
Sara Howe
Position
Professor, English
Joined SNHU
2013
Education
- PhD in Rhetoric, Composition and the Teaching of English from the University of Arizona
Dr. Sara K. Howe's research interests include rhetoric in popular culture, fan and media studies, psychoanalysis, and feminist rhetorics and pedagogies. Her publications include "Teams, Tears, and Testimonials: A Rhetorical Reading of the Twilight Time Capsule" (2013) in Reception; "Beyond Wounds and Words: The Rhetoric of Scarred Embodiment" (2017) in Arrow and Superhero Television: Essays on Themes and Characters of the Series; and "Fifty Shades of Guilty Pleasure" (2017) in Intimate Relationships in Cinema, Literature, and Visual Culture. Most recently, Howe co-edited a collection of essays on sexuality and literature called "Representing Kink: Fringe Sexuality and Textuality in Literature, Digital Narrative, and Popular Culture" with Dr. Susan Cook (SNHU). Howe teaches creative writing (genre fiction), literature and composition courses at SNHU. In 2017, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award.
To learn more about SNHU faculty, visit our campus faculty page.
Campus major courses
You’ll take major courses that provide you with a solid foundation in your area of study – in some cases featuring experiential or project-based learning opportunities, labs, simulations and internships. These courses will allow you to learn a wide variety of topics and help prepare you for a role in your desired field.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full BA in English curriculum.
Campus general education courses
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Courses may include:
Can’t wait? You don’t have to!
Apply now if you’re ready, and have your decision within 30 days. Or, schedule a visit and come see us in person!
Career Outlook What can I do with an English degree?
From media and content to public relations, publishing and even grad school, a degree in English gives you transferable skills that could be applied to a number of industries. The BA in English degree opens up several career possibilities beyond the traditional roles of writers and teachers. English majors can go on to become lawyers, politicians, marketing communication professionals, historians, museum curators and nonprofit directors, to name just a few! Students in many majors often double-major or minor in English to strengthen their skills and marketability.
Career paths include:
- Writer
- Copyeditor
- Editorial assistant
- Social media marketing coordinator
- Content writer
- Technical writer
- Librarian
- Publicist
Median annual wage for media and communication roles as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1
Openings projected yearly, on average, by BLS for media and communication roles through 2033.1
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Campus Student Experience So, what's it like taking classes on campus?
In SNHU's English department, we pride ourselves on creating a learning environment that feels interactive, challenging and fun. Whether you're typing out your thoughts in essay form, taking a class trip abroad or interning with a local radio station, this program offers plenty of ways to explore your passion for words. In fact, some of the most unique learning opportunities might take place outside the classroom walls.
Student support
At SNHU, you don’t have to do this college thing alone. You’ll have help from your advisor, access to tutoring and office hours, career coaching, and mental health services so you can do your best and feel your best.
Additionally, our Office of Diversity and Campus Accessibility Center make campus a safe place for everyone. Visit our Student Services page to learn more about our support offerings.
Small class sizes
With an average class size of 15-25 (depending on your major) you’ll learn in an environment where professors with real world experience know you by name.
Here, you’re not getting lost in giant lecture halls, but instead, actively participating in thoughtful dialogue where you’re always encouraged to collaborate with your peers and ask questions when they arise.
State-of-the-art facilities
Our 300-acre campus has everything you need. From technology-advanced classroom settings to your dorms complete with fitness centers and hangout spots, our goal is to give you the best college experience possible.
Whether you’re learning in a classroom, in a lab, on the field, or in your field, you’ll have what you need to be successful from the moment you wake up to the moment you close your textbooks.
School of Arts, Sciences and Education Learn about the School of Arts, Sciences and Education
From understanding why people behave the way they do, to studying and tackling today's environmental issues, the School of Arts, Sciences and Education serves as an academic hub for creativity, collaboration and learning. Here, you'll have the chance to gain real-world experience through internships, student teaching, lab work and community-based projects. From studying cells under a microscope or analyzing crime scenes to leading a student-teaching session in an elementary classroom, you’ll learn how the world works so you can help make it a better place.
Student teaching opportunities
Inkwell game design studio
State-of-the-art labs
How SNHU makes college affordable
At Southern New Hampshire University, we're on a mission to make high-quality education more accessible with more affordable tuition. With 70+ career-focused majors, state-of-the-art facilities, D2 sports and over 70 student clubs and organizations, you can get the campus experience you've always dreamed of at a more affordable price.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Our collaborative partnerships with high schools enhance academic opportunities and college accessibility for some high school students.
Hear from us
Selina Marcille, Assistant Professor of English
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Sources & Citations
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm (viewed Oct. 18, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
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