English Major
We engage students in the many genres and periods of literature, exposing them to the cultures, movements, authors, and texts that have enriched literature over the years. You’ll collaborate with your peers and faculty to create new ideas, discover important narratives, and learn how language is applied globally.
3
DEGREE OPTIONS: PRE-EDUCATION, PRE-LAW, & LITERATURE
22
AVERAGE CLASS
SIZE
100+
COURSES
OFFERED
3
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
Total Credit Hours: 120
English Core Requirements (21 hours)
English Option Courses (18 hours)
General Education (45 hours)
Free Electives (36 hours)
What You'll Study
- 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in English, including Virginia Tech's Pathways
- 21 credits of English core courses, including:
- Introduction to Critical Reading
- Introduction to Critical Writing
- Literary History
- Acts of Interpretation
- Writing and Digital Media
- Capstone Experience
- 18 credits of courses in your selected option:
- Literature
- Pre-Education
- Pre-Law
- Literature
- 36 credits of free elective courses
Curious about adding a minor or additional major? Email Dawn Knight at dknight1@vt.edu.
Related Links
What is a Major in English?
An English major prepares you to think critically and solve problems. You can tailor your degree to your areas of interest, choosing an author, historical context, and genre to study. The sophisticated thought and analysis of literature will take you more deeply into literary studies or specifically prepare you for careers in education or law.
Why Study English Here?
We specialize in a range of authors, genres, and historical periods, ensuring you will have a mentor to guide you on your quest for knowledge. Our literature, pre-education, or pre-law options help propel you into your chosen career field through alumni industry connections. Our students have gone on to careers in publishing, law, teaching, and technical writing.
Beyond the Classroom
Collaborate
Talk to a professor about designing your own research project to take a deeper look at a topic of your interest. You'll work closely with a faculty advisor to plan a course of action and discuss your findings. You can also participate in a collaborative project where you help a faculty member with their research.
Get Experience
By working in the field, you'll earn job experience and learn more about the industry of your interest. Literature majors have recently interned with national corporations, local schools, and law firms.
Study Away
We host a faculty-led trip to London, an exchange program with Loughborough University, and a Wintermester Experience that visits different locations each year. These experiences enrich your understanding of the history and culture of the English language and its literature.
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Strong Community
You will join an active and welcoming community. Our student organizations include the English Club, Linguistics Club, Creative Writing Club, and Sigma Tau Delta. We hold an annual literary festival, Glossolalia, that features original works including readings and performances by students and visiting writers.
What Our Students Are Saying
"My major in English: pre-law has transformed my analytical skills and thinking. The courses and professors have cultivated my passion for literature and taught me about the human experience. I know that after graduation I will be prepared for law school."
Jessica Craig, '17
Careers and Further Study
Taylor Lewis, '18
While pursuing a major in literature and language and a minor in French, Taylor completed two internships. One took her to a local high school, where she shadowed and student taught a 9th grade english course. Taylor completed her second internship over several years as an FBI Honors intern in Roanoke, VA and Washington, D.C. Taylor now works for the FBI as a Management and Program Analyst within the FBI’s Education Center.
Katarzyna Goebel, '18
Katarzyna attended the University of Virginia School of Law. As an undergraduate student, one of her favorite courses was Literature and the Law taught by Dr. Metz. Her internship with Clark Hill PLC, a law firm in Pittsburgh, PA, gave her hands-on experience working with legal issues.
Peter Velz, '11
While studying English, Peter worked at the Virginia Tech Writing Center and served a the editor-in-chief of the Collegiate Times. His experiences provided him with skills he put to use as an intern in the communications department at the White House during the Obama administration. He joined the official White House staff as a media monitor and eventually press assistant. Peter is currently working for the State University of New York system as the assistant vice chancellor for external affairs.
Grace Baggett, ’20
While studying English and professional and technical writing, Grace engaged in several opportunities on campus to pursue her interest in writing. She interned with VT Stories, the Virginia Tech Magazine, the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences communications team, the Virginia Tech Libraries Special Collections, and VT Publishing. Grace also served as the business manager for Silhouette Magazine, a student-run literary and art publication. She plans to write novels, memoirs, or poetry in her future career.
Gillian Barth, '21
Gillian earned dual degrees in history and English with a minor in American Studies. She worked as a student editor for the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Historical Review. Gillian interned at Green Spring Gardens in Annandale, Virginia, as a historic resources intern, and in Alexandria, Virginia, for the Center of the Steady State Economy as an editorial intern. Gillian will be attending the Columbia Publishing Course after graduation and hopes to enter the publishing world.
Chrissy Paschall, '2020
While studying English, pre-law, and women's and gender studies, Chrissy completed two internships. She served as a Recruitment/Editorial Intern for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a Field Development Intern for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Chrissy initially worked as a File Clerk for a civil rights and employment law firm and now serves as an Alternative Staffing Specialist for Clark Hill, PLC, where she recruits legal professionals for specialty projects and trials.
What do I do with an English major?
Our graduates are in demand to fulfill positions that require communication, creativity, and critical thinking. The options of literature, pre-law, and pre-education are designed to give you a solid foundation for pursuing further study, equipping you to solve problems in the global environment.
Our graduates are pursuing successful careers in:
- Law
- Government
- Entertainment
- Publishing
- Teaching
- Higher education
- Marketing
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