English, B.A.


The English major offers undergraduate students the chance to develop writing and reading skills while studying an eclectic range of texts from the British, American and world traditions.

You work closely with faculty in small classes, reading and engaging in thought-provoking discussions about all aspects of literature. The curriculum of the English major not only teaches you about literature, it also focuses on the skills that students learn from the study of literature – skills like critical thinking, research, collaborative work and editing.

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Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in English degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

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Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in English degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

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Learning Outside the Classroom


Educational opportunities provided through the English major extend beyond the classroom. Each spring, you have the opportunity to study with the Visiting Writer in Residence, a professional author who teaches a creative writing class at LR.

You can also participate in the Lenoir-Rhyne Visiting Writers Series, which brings internationally recognized novelists, poets and dramatists to the campus each year. There are also opportunities for you to submit your creative work for publication in the campus literary magazine, Cantos, or to be involved in the editorial board.

Internships on campus or in the community give you the chance to put your skills into action.

Katelyn Vause

I chose LR because I felt a connection to the school the first time I saw it. I liked the feel of a small campus and my scholarship made attendance affordable.

Katelyn Vause '18, English

Career Opportunities & Post-Graduate Education


Through the English major, you learn the critical and analytical skills that will help prepare you for a range of graduate programs and rewarding career choices. Professional fields that rely on communication and writing are especially good opportunities: journalism and public relations, business and marketing, the fine arts and education/teaching.

You may consider taking advantage of Lenoir-Rhyne's Accelerated Master's Degrees program, an innovative curriculum that enables students to complete both the bachelor's degree and master's degree in just five years. You can select a multitude of graduate-level programs offered through Lenoir-Rhyne such as the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing or Master of Business Administration.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Alumni Advantage program allows you to complete your graduate degree at a discount cost. 

Major Requirements

The English major offers undergraduate students the chance to develop writing and reading skills while studying a wide range of texts from the British, American, and world traditions. Students work closely with faculty in small classes, reading and engaging in thought-provoking discussions about all aspects of literature. The curriculum of the English major not only teaches students about literature; it also develops skills like critical thinking, research, collaborative work, and editing. The English major earns a B.A. degree.

Honors

Students majoring in English who are judged qualified by the faculty may, upon invitation, elect to pursue honors work in English. To graduate ''With Honors in English,'' students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum major GPA of 3.25, and complete, with a minimum grade of ''B,''  and . In addition, they must pass an oral defense of the thesis. , with approval, may count as three elective credits towards the English degree;  counts as three credits of electives beyond the major.

News & Events

The Bear community came together for the seventh-annual Bears Give Back event and raised a record-setting $847,320 to support current and future students.

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As a child, Carly Godfrey '23, MBA '24, learned to swim at LR. Years later, a spot on the swim team would bring her back to learn so much more and make way for a bright future.

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