Department of English

An English major at Elmhurst University can take you anywhere.

A major or minor in our program will help you build the transferrable skills that are necessary in any field—skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, textual analysis, professional writing and intercultural awareness. Then we’ll show you how to translate those skills into a graduate degree or a rewarding career in business, journalism, digital media, writing, editing, publishing, law, education or library science.

Opportunities to Get Involved

What’s more, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your skills to work on campus.

  • You might write for our award-winning student newspaper, The Leader, or you might submit creative work to MidddleWestern Voice, the University’s arts and literary journal, or become a staff member yourself.
  • Off campus, our students regularly take internships in areas ranging from web editing to social media campaigns to professional writing for business.
  • If you’re interested in teaching, you could serve as a peer writing tutor in the Learning Center or student teach while earning your secondary education degree.

Opportunities to Study Abroad

If you want to travel, the English department and the University offer a wide range of international study opportunities.

You could study at Oxford University for an entire semester through the Middlebury College-CMRS Oxford Humanities Program or, you could study in a country of your choice during J-Term or in a “City as Text” semester course.

Why Major in English?

A faculty member—never a teaching assistant—teaches every course here. Classes are small, with a 14:1 student to faculty ratio. Classes are lively and intense. Whatever your chosen career and educational path, an English major or minor will make you a better reader, writer, critical thinker, problem solver, researcher, editor, and lifelong learner.

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