Kent State University

What you'll study

The English major at Kent State covers major literary traditions, genres and critical approaches from medieval to contemporary writing. Core study areas typically include British and American literature surveys, world and postcolonial literatures, literary theory and criticism, and courses in poetry, drama and the novel. Students develop advanced research and writing skills through seminars and a senior capstone or thesis.

Programme structure usually combines general education requirements with a sequence of required major courses and electives. Typical modules and course types you can expect are:

• Introduction to Literary Study and Research Methods
• Surveys of British and American Literature (from historical to modern periods)
• World Literature and Postcolonial Studies
• Literary Theory and Critical Approaches
• Genre-focused courses (Poetry, Drama, Fiction, Short Form)
• Advanced seminars and a senior seminar or capstone project
• Creative writing workshops (if following a creative-writing track)
• Electives that intersect with film, digital humanities, rhetoric, linguistics or cultural studies

Students often have opportunities to take interdisciplinary electives, pursue undergraduate research, participate in the Wick Poetry Center or creative-writing events, and undertake internships with local cultural organisations, publishers and media outlets.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary-school qualification with a college-preparatory curriculum. Admissions typically consider overall academic record, strength of English and humanities courses, and letters of recommendation. Many applicants present a competitive high-school GPA; some pathways or specialisations (for example, honours or creative-writing options) may recommend or require a writing sample or portfolio.

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through a recognised test unless exempt by prior study in English. Transfer students are evaluated on college coursework completed, and transfer of credits for introductory English courses is common subject to departmental review.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in English Language and Literature develop transferable skills in critical thinking, research, close reading and written communication that employers value across sectors. Common career paths include:

• Editing, publishing and literary agencies
• Journalism, digital media and content strategy
• Communications, public relations and marketing
• Education (with additional teacher certification for K–12 roles) and academic pathways
• Non-profit programme work, cultural organisations and arts administration
• Technical and professional writing, grant writing and policy work
• Further study in graduate programmes (MA/PhD), law school or professional programmes

Many graduates combine the degree with internships, minors or practical experience (e.g. editing student publications, work placements) to build sector-specific portfolios.

Why study at Kent State University

Kent State offers an English programme housed within a large research university that still provides opportunities for small seminars and close faculty mentoring. The department's activities, including public readings, visiting writers and partnerships such as the Wick Poetry Center, create a lively literary community on campus.

Students benefit from access to resources across the university—courses that combine literature with digital humanities, film and communication studies, and opportunities for internships in the Cleveland-Akron metropolitan area. The department supports undergraduate research, study abroad options, and pathways into teacher preparation and graduate study, making it a solid choice for students seeking both practical experience and a rigorous liberal-arts education in literature.