Florida International University

What you'll study

The programme centres on the study of literature in English across historical periods, genres and global contexts, alongside practical courses in writing and rhetoric. Students take a mix of required core modules and electives that typically include:

• Introduction to Literary Study — methods of close reading, annotation and argumentation.
• Surveys of British and American Literature — major authors and movements from medieval to contemporary periods.
• World and Postcolonial Literatures — texts from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and other Anglophone and translated traditions.
• Shakespeare and Drama — plays and performance contexts.
• Poetry and Fiction Workshops — creative-writing practice and peer critique (where available).
• Literary Theory and Criticism — foundations in theoretical approaches to literature.
• Rhetoric and Professional Writing — composition, technical writing and persuasive communication.
• Linguistics and Language Study — fundamentals of language structure and usage.
• Digital Humanities and Textual Analysis — tools and methods for research with digital texts.
• Capstone or Senior Seminar — a research or writing project supervised by faculty to synthesise learning outcomes.

Students also complete general education requirements across disciplines and may select a concentration or elective focus in areas such as creative writing, literary studies, technical and professional writing, or secondary education preparation. Opportunities for independent research, internships and study abroad are commonly integrated into programme pathways.

Entry requirements

Admission to the BA in English Language and Literature follows Florida International University’s undergraduate entry procedures. Typical requirements include a completed secondary-school qualification or equivalent for first-year applicants, official transcripts and meeting FIU’s overall admissions criteria. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or approved institutional pathways.

Students transferring from other institutions should provide college transcripts and meet FIU transfer-credit policies. Some specialised tracks — for example creative-writing workshops or teacher certification pathways — may request a portfolio, statement of purpose or additional documentation. Applicants are encouraged to consult FIU’s undergraduate admissions office and the Department of English for the most current guidance on prerequisites and supporting materials.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BA in English from FIU enter a broad range of careers that value analytic reading, advanced writing and communication skills. Common career paths include:

• Publishing, editing and literary agency work
• Journalism, content strategy and digital media
• Public relations, marketing and communications roles
• Secondary-school teaching (often requiring additional certification)
• Law, business and graduate study where strong argumentation and research skills are advantageous
• Non-profit programme management, museum education and cultural organisations
• Technical writing, grant writing and corporate communications

The university supports career development through internships, alumni networks and the Career and Talent Development office, helping students secure placements in local media, cultural institutions and businesses in the greater Miami region and beyond.

Why study at Florida International University

FIU is located in Miami, a multilingual, multicultural city and a major centre for Caribbean and Latin American culture; this regional context enriches study in world and Latino/a literature and creates internships and collaborative opportunities not commonly available elsewhere. The Department of English offers faculty with research strengths across American, British, Caribbean and transnational literatures, creative writing and rhetoric, enabling supervised research and mentorship.

Students benefit from FIU’s campus resources, including writing support services, research facilities, and connections to Miami’s publishing, arts and media communities. Flexible degree pathways allow students to combine literary study with complementary minors or certificate programmes — for example in digital humanities, education, film studies or professional communication — to tailor the degree to individual career goals.