Harness the Power of Language
Whether you write song lyrics or business memos, novels or legal briefs, UT Tyler’s interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in English program highlights the broader applications of writing, analysis and critical thinking — from teaching high school students to working as an editor, technical writer or in the nonprofit sector or pursuing law or graduate studies.
The program includes Writing with Technology and Game and Narrative Design to train students in:
- Data visualization and data analysis
- Scripting and editing audio podcasts
- Technical documentation
- Digital and Multimodal design
- UX and UI design
- Game narrative design based on literature
- Video game design based on literature
See how your passion for the written word leads to success in a number of professional fields. Learn more now by contacting Dr. Ann Beebe (abeebe@uttyler.edu).
Why Major in English at UT Tyler?
Pursue a career in education, writing, media or another field with this versatile degree. Or, gain the communication, problem-solving and analytical skills key to a future in law, medicine, business or federal service. At UT Tyler, English majors gain hands-on experience by contributing to and often taking the lead in campus publications, readings and events.
- Expert Faculty: Recognized for their academic excellence, our faculty have received such honors as the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Theresa J. Enos 25th Anniversary Award for Best Article in Rhetoric Review and present at such gatherings as the Conference on College Composition and Communication and the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts Annual Conference. Department members have published books, including Key to a Cold City, Once Iron Girls: Essays on Gender by Post-Mao Chinese Literary Women, Emily Dikinson: A Companion, The Bond of Empathy in Medieval and Early Modern Literature, Guiguzi, China’s First Treatise on Rhetoric, Global Rhetorical Traditions, and Reading and Writing about the Disciplines.
- Small Classes: Our classes average about 20 students, ensuring interaction and personal attention from faculty.
- Language Literacy: Take foreign languages such as French and Spanish to fulfill foreign language requirements for the English degree or earn a minor.
- Hands-on Learning: Work in the campus Writing Center, where you can help members of the university community improve their writing skills.
- Creative Writing Opportunities: Learn techniques of expression, develop creative writing craftsmanship and publish your fiction and poetry in the journal of Inspired Mind.
- Study Abroad: Take part in the Costa Rica Spanish Immersion program for three weeks during the summer, earning academic credit.
- Focus on Technology and Digital Communication: Combine your English degree with the writing with technology minor to translate your analytical reading and writing skills to the world of digital media, marketing and communication.
- Apply Your Knowledge of Literature to Game and Narrative Design: See applications of communication, media, literature and analysis firsthand through courses in data visualization, developing podcasts, creating technical documentation, digital and multimodal design, video game design and UX/UI principles.
Curriculum
English majors take courses that span the historical breadth of literature and culture in Britain, North America and beyond. In the process, students examine language, writing and their applications.
Thirty credit hours cover the following broad disciplines:
- Writing, language study or rhetoric.
- British, world or American literature from early or early-modern periods.
- British or American literature from the modern periods.
Then, choose from a wide-ranging collection of English electives, including:
- The Language of Argument
- Genre Studies in American Literature
- Grammar and Professional Editing
- Reading and Writing About Data
- Classical Literature in Translation
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Studies in World Literature
Students take 12 credit hours of a single foreign language or demonstrate equivalent competency or complete a written examination. The study of a foreign language improves the knowledge of one’s own language.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in English?
The skills you develop as an English major — including analysis and interpretation, critical and creative writing and historical synthesis — equip you to embark on a number of interesting careers.
Our alumni work for nonprofits, government agencies, advertising agencies, publishing companies, universities, secondary schools and marketing firms.
Potential job titles include:
- Author
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Game and Narrative Designer
- Literary Agent
- Podcaster
- Public Relations Specialist
- Scriptwriter
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
Our degree also equips you for the demands of law school or a research-focused graduate program in English or the humanities.
