Susquehanna University

What you'll study

The English Language and Literature programme offers a broad curriculum that balances historical survey courses with specialised seminars and applied writing opportunities. Students read literature from a range of periods and traditions — including British, American and global literatures — and study genres such as poetry, drama, the novel and creative nonfiction. Core areas of study typically include close reading and literary analysis, literary history and cultural contexts, critical theory, composition and rhetoric, and creative writing.

Typical modules and course themes you might encounter include:

• Introductory seminars in literary analysis and research methods
• Survey courses covering medieval, Renaissance, eighteenth- and nineteenth-century, modernist and contemporary literature
• Genre-focused courses in poetry, drama, the novel and short fiction
• Creative writing workshops in fiction, poetry and nonfiction
• Courses in literary theory, criticism and cultural studies
• Electives in related areas such as film, digital humanities, print culture and linguistics
• Capstone projects or honours theses that emphasise an extended research paper or creative portfolio

Instruction emphasises small seminars, faculty mentoring and opportunities for experiential learning. Students are encouraged to pursue internships with publishing houses, literary magazines, museums, schools and cultural organisations, and to take advantage of study-abroad and off-campus study options to broaden their literary and cultural perspectives.

Programme structure

The degree combines lower-division foundation courses with upper-division seminars and electives. In later years, students typically focus on a combination of advanced seminars, independent research or creative projects, and professionalising experiences such as internships, editorial work on student publications, or teaching practicum opportunities.

Entry requirements

Applicants should present a strong secondary-school academic record with evidence of competence in reading, writing and critical thinking. Admissions decisions consider the overall academic profile, recommendations and a writing sample or portfolio when requested. For transfer applicants, successful completion of relevant college-level coursework strengthens an application.

International applicants must submit academic credentials that are equivalent to U.S. secondary-school completion and demonstrate English proficiency through approved testing or institutional assessment, unless exempt. Mature applicants and those with non-traditional backgrounds are assessed on the strength of prior learning and supporting materials.

The department looks for applicants who demonstrate curiosity about texts, an ability to write clearly and persuasively, and a commitment to participating in seminar-based learning.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in English Language and Literature develop versatile skills — close reading, research, argumentation, clear writing and critical thinking — that apply across many professions. Common career paths include:

• Publishing, editorial and literary agency work
• Journalism, content strategy and communications roles
• Teaching at the primary, secondary or postsecondary level (often requiring additional certification for K–12 teaching)
• Public relations, marketing and non-profit communications
• Law, business and graduate study in the humanities or social sciences
• Library, archival and museum work

Many alumni also pursue creative careers as authors, poets or playwrights, or combine their degree with postgraduate study in areas such as creative writing, comparative literature, education or law. The university's career services and the department's alumni network support internship placement and professional development.

Why study at Susquehanna University

Susquehanna University is a small, residential liberal-arts institution that emphasises close student–faculty interaction and a personalised educational experience. The English department is characterised by small seminars, accessible faculty mentors, and opportunities to publish and edit student literary magazines or participate in campus reading series. Students benefit from experiential learning options, including internships in publishing and cultural organisations, study-abroad programmes that complement literary study, and support for undergraduate research and creative projects.

The campus environment fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing English majors to combine literature with related fields such as history, theatre, media studies or creative writing. For students seeking a rigorous, supportive context to develop as readers, writers and thinkers, Susquehanna's programme offers a foundation for both professional work and further academic study.