The College of Wooster

What you'll study

The English Language and Literature major at The College of Wooster provides a broad grounding in British, American and global literatures, together with focused work in literary theory, rhetoric, and creative writing. The curriculum balances required core courses and electives, and culminates in an intensive senior Independent Study (a year-long thesis or creative project) supervised by faculty.

• Core areas: close reading and interpretation, literary history, cultural and critical theory, rhetoric and composition.
• Typical modules and courses: introductions to British and American literature, Shakespeare and early modern studies, 19th- and 20th-century literature, contemporary and postcolonial literatures, poetry and poetics, fiction workshop, literary theory, film and literature, digital humanities and the study of textual media.
• Skills development: advanced research methods, archival work, argumentation and academic writing, creative writing craft, public speaking, and digital communication.
• Capstone: the Independent Study project—an individually supervised research dissertation or creative portfolio that demonstrates sustained inquiry and original contribution to a topic in literature, language, or writing.
• Learning formats: small seminars, lecture courses, writing workshops, individual tutorials, and public presentations of Independent Study work.

Entry requirements

Applicants should demonstrate strong preparation in secondary-school English and a record of academic achievement in a broad liberal-arts curriculum. The College of Wooster evaluates applications holistically, considering transcripts, recommendations, personal statements, and extracurricular engagement. For applicants educated under different systems, typical evidence of readiness includes A-levels, International Baccalaureate, or equivalent qualifications with strong results in English or humanities subjects.

Students intending to major in English are encouraged to submit samples of written work when available and to highlight reading and writing experiences in their application. International applicants must satisfy any English-language proficiency requirements set by the college.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in English Language and Literature from The College of Wooster go on to a wide range of careers that value critical thinking, communication and research skills. Common career paths include teaching and education, publishing and editing, journalism and media, law and public policy, marketing and communications, libraries and archives, nonprofit and advocacy work, and roles in digital content and user experience.

Many graduates also pursue advanced study in literature, creative writing, law, library science, education or related fields. The hands-on research experience provided by the Independent Study is particularly useful preparation for graduate-level research and professional projects.

Why study at The College of Wooster

The College of Wooster is distinctive for its mentored Independent Study programme, which gives English majors extended, faculty-guided practice in designing and conducting an original research or creative project. Small class sizes and seminar-driven teaching mean close interaction with faculty and peers, frequent opportunities for oral presentation and feedback, and tailored academic mentorship.

Other advantages include access to campus resources such as the writing centre, archives and library collections, internship and community-engagement partnerships, and opportunities for study abroad. The college's liberal arts environment encourages interdisciplinary study, allowing English students to combine literature with history, theatre, philosophy, gender studies, or digital media according to their interests and career goals.