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.

Request Information

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

Get Started

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

Loading...

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.

Cortney Hildebran Cooke

The really big difference for me between LR and other schools is the atmosphere. From the first moment I stepped on LR's campus, it was completely different and welcoming.

Cortney Hildebran Cooke '20, MBA 2021

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

2024 alumni award winners

The Alumni Association recognized five LR graduates for their extraordinary service to their communities and the world around them at an April 12 ceremony.

View More
LR students take a group photo by main stairs at NCAS meeting

12 LR students presented their research at the 2024 meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Sciences, earning awards and sharing the thrills of discovery.

View More