BA in English

The English major at Sacred Heart prepares students personally and professionally for the world beyond college. The diverse curriculum in languages, literature, cultures and creative expression prepares students for lifelong learning and success in a variety of advanced degrees and professions.

Why Earn Your BA in English at Sacred Heart?

At Sacred Heart, you’ll develop the skills you need to read analytically; write clearly and effectively; and express a clear, logical argument. You’ll gain a strong foundation in a broad spectrum of literature, and by the time you graduate you will have skills and knowledge, including reading, writing, and critical thinking, that never lose value and are relevant to any field, in any job market, at any time.

As an English major, you will also:

• Develop a broad understanding of the social, historical, religious, and political contexts of American, British, and global literature
• Analyze and interpret literary and critical texts that raise issues and questions of social justice, values, meaning, race, class, gender, ethnicity, and global and cultural diversity
• Benefit from small class sizes in a close-knit community that fosters collaboration and creativity
• Gain personalized attention and mentorship from accomplished faculty
• Take innovative courses, such as Literature of Illness and Healing, Writing Flash Fiction, and Writing and Identity
• Complement your studies with interdisciplinary courses in disability, health, sports, and media
• Have the opportunity to present your work at the annual Sigma Tau Delta national conference
• Enrich your education through involvement with the English Club, Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, and Her Campus (the premier global community for college women writers)
• Have the chance to showcase research in The Sacred Heart University Scholar, an e-journal dedicated to the research of our undergraduate students.
• Prepare for the job market through creation of research projects, scholarly papers, creative writing projects, and work in publishing
• Have the versatility to double major in English and Communication, Foreign Language, Health Science, Political Science, Marketing, Media, Secondary Education, and more
• Explore study abroad programs and engage in service learning

Employers seek college graduates who excel in clear communication, written expression, careful research, strong interpersonal skills, and close reading.

Prepare to pursue your passion or further your study

SHU English majors have pursued successful careers in a variety of fields, including:

SHU English alumni have thrived in graduate programs (MA, MFA, MAT and Ph.D.) at the following schools:

Fast track your career with an advanced degree

3 + 3 Bachelor's & JD Program

English majors have the opportunity to pursue the 3+3 Bachelor's & JD program, a partnership between Sacred Heart University and Seton Hall University or Villanova University. Students can earn a Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor by completing all required credits for their English degree at SHU within three years (90 credits). The balance of their undergraduate credits (30 credits) will be completed during their first year of law school at Seton Hall University or Villanova University.

Dual Degree Program Options for English Majors

Sacred Heart University’s dual degree programs make it easy for first-year students to move from an undergraduate degree to a graduate degree.

Some programs need specific majors, but others are open to most fields of study. Apply as an incoming first-year student, and you can be accepted into both programs at once. Reach out to your admissions counselor to learn about your options.