English Major
Why Study English at Virginia Tech?
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.
3
Degree Options: Pre-education, Pre-law, Literature
22
Average Class Size
3
Study Abroad Programs
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.
Careers and Further Study
What can you do with a major in English?
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Law
- Government
- Entertainment
- Publishing
- Teaching
- Higher education
- Marketing
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
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.
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.
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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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.
Bachelor of Arts in English Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
English Major Requirements
- Introduction to Critical Reading
- Introduction to Critical Writing
- Literary History
- Acts of Interpretation
- Writing and Digital Media
- Capstone Experience
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. English
45 hrs
General Education
39 hrs
Major Requirements
36 hrs
Elective
Campus Life
Campus Life
Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.