English Major | Troy University

English Majors Gain Versatile Skills for Jobs in Every Industry

Employers in every field and industry value those who have the ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence. With a bachelor's degree in English from Troy University, you'll gain communication, creativity and critical thinking skills that will allow you to compete globally for jobs in communication, publishing, writing and teaching — or for spots in graduate or law school. Whether you choose TROY's on-campus program or the online bachelor's degree in English, you'll receive the same exceptional education and access to dedicated TROY faculty as you would on campus. TROY is also ranked among the best online English bachelor's degree programs for veterans by Intelligent.com.

““The professors in TROY's English department went above and beyond to not only help me as a student but as a fellow lover of literature who they genuinely wanted to see succeed. I will be forever changed and forever grateful for the experiences that I had studying at Troy University.””

Adrianna Forehand | Upper School Teacher, Bethel Christian Academy | 2022 graduate, B.S. in English

An English Degree Program Led by Accomplished Faculty

Because TROY's classes are smaller, you can easily engage with brilliant and accomplished faculty members who have lived, researched and taught across the world and bring their international experience to you. You'll also benefit from learning alongside peers who love reading, writing and expressing themselves. They, too, want to make a difference in the world through professional writing, creative writing or teaching English abroad.

What Can You Do with an English Major? Write, Teach and More

As you explore colleges for English majors, you may wonder where a bachelor's degree in English might take you in your career. From the tech industry to the business world, there are many career paths you can pursue, including SEO specialist, journalist and nonprofit program assistant. Interested in teaching? The best undergraduate English programs can also prepare you for an education career. While the English/language arts education major is an excellent choice, you can also become a teacher with TROY's English degree. Explore both options and see which one fits you best. And if you want to go to graduate school, TROY can take you there too.

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Bachelor's in English Curriculum

While specific courses may vary from year to year, your coursework may include:

Academic Catalog

Degree Maps

English Degree Program Locations

Get the flexibility you need by earning an online bachelor's degree in English, taking classes on campus or choosing a blend of online and in-person formats.

Troy Campus

TROY Online

Other Options

Benefit from a Bachelor's in English with Hands-on Experiences

As an English major at TROY, you'll have many opportunities to write, read and meet others who share your passion for books, writing and the English language. The Tropolitan, TROY's student newspaper, provides an excellent place to grow your writing, editing and publishing skills. You can also get involved in The Rubicon, a student-led literary journal that publishes original works.

The Creative Writing Guild provides space for English majors to share and receive feedback on their work and hone their writing skills. Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, gives you access to scholarships, writing awards, internships and more. If you're a TESOL minor, you'll particularly be interested in the International Student Cultural Organization (ISCO), which brings together students from different cultural backgrounds for activities and events. TROY's study abroad programs provide another extraordinary opportunity to compete more effectively in the global marketplace and understand language from new perspectives.

Careers with the TROY Bachelor's Degree in English

From entry-level jobs for English majors to longtime careers in publishing, technology, business, insurance, government and more, TROY's program will provide you with versatile skills, including critical thinking and communication skills, that will prepare you for success in the workplace or graduate programs.

Faculty Profiles

Dr. Theresa M. Johnson

Dr. Theresa M. Johnson, Assistant Professor of English, earned a bachelor's in English at TROY with minors in French and classical literature. She was a high school teacher for more than 20 years before returning to TROY to earn her master's in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Dr. Johnson also holds a Ph.D. in TESOL from Northcentral University. Among her other duties, she oversees the TESOL minor for the English Language Arts program.

Learn more about our faculty (334) 670-3306 tmjohnson@troy.edu

Focus Your English Major — and Your Future — with a Minor

As an English major at TROY, you'll build on a firm academic foundation in American and British literature and focus on your future career by choosing one of the following minors.

Professional writing minor

The professional writing minor is a great choice if you are interested in nonfiction, technical and multimedia writing. Courses include Introduction to Technical and Professional Writing, Technical and Professional Editing and the Seminar in Professional Writing Portfolio Design. You'll also participate in a professional writing internship. You can also take courses in creative writing and more.

Creative writing minor

If you want to create what you'd like to read, the creative writing minor is an ideal choice for you, allowing you to engage in the imaginative worlds you find compelling. You'll take Introduction to Creative Writing and then select an additional 15 credit hours from courses such as Playwriting I, Advanced Nonfiction Writing and Verse Writing. You can also gain practical experience in writing and editing through a 3-credit-hour internship.

TESOL minor

If your goal is to teach English abroad, choose the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) minor. You'll take required courses such as Introduction to Linguistics and Methods and Approaches in Second Language Teaching. Then select an additional nine credit hours in courses like Sociolinguistics and Advanced Grammar II. If you want to pursue TESOL certification, you'll need to enroll in Practicum and Assessments.

Related Programs

Journalism - Multimedia Political Science English/Language Arts Education

FAQ About the English Degree Program

Learn more about being an English major at TROY and where this degree can take you.

What makes the TROY English major different from English programs at other universities?

At TROY, you'll have access to full-time professors with international experience who are passionate about helping you succeed. They will guide you to the courses you need to achieve your career goals and explore your interests. You'll find them to be dedicated, experienced and caring. TROY's program also stands out from other colleges for English majors by allowing you the opportunity to tailor your degree with a minor that fits your professional goals.

Can I become a university professor with a bachelor's in English from TROY?

Jobs for English majors are plentiful, but to become a university professor, you'll need to pursue further education. By earning a master's degree, graduates of our program have gone on to become professors — and so can you!

Can I teach with a bachelor's degree in English?

Teachers are desperately needed across the country, and you can go into teaching with a bachelor's in English from TROY. Depending on where you teach, you will likely need additional credentials. For example, to teach English in Alabama, you need to pass the appropriate Praxis test for certification. If you know you want to teach, you might also consider TROY's English/Language Arts (ELA) Education degree.

Can I teach English abroad if I'm an English major?

Absolutely! If you want to teach abroad, you'll want to select the teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) minor and pursue the TESOL certification by enrolling in the Practicum and Assessments.

English

Program Info

English Majors Gain Versatile Skills for Jobs in Every Industry

An English Degree Program Led by Accomplished Faculty