English
Bachelor of Arts
Explore the power of the word through traditional and cutting-edge genres — from Milton to Maya Angelou, from playwriting to poetry, pop fiction to podcasts.
You’ll gain an intensive background in literature and cultural analysis that’s rooted in a broader liberal arts tradition, to understand literature across disciplines and examine its historical and cultural significance. You can choose to double major in elementary or adolescent education to pursue New York State Teacher Certification in English.
Highlights
Benefit from small class sizes, discussion-based learning, and accessible professors
All full-time faculty members hold the highest degrees in their fields and bring diverse expertise
Add a minor in communication & media, digital media & design, legal studies, or other areas of interest
Intern at a radio station, art gallery, media organization, nonprofit, government office, or large or small business
Career Paths
- Media and communications professional
- Advertiser/marketer
- Editor, writer, publisher
- Technical/corporate writer
- Journalist, columnist, commentator
- Social media professional
- Teacher
- Research assistant
- Librarian
Internships
- Memorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester
- Disney College Program, Orlando, FL
- Afterimage, Rochester, NY
- Student teaching opportunities abroad
Graduate Schools
- Brandeis University
- Emerson College
- Case Western University
- Teachers College, Columbia University
- University of Rochester
99%
of new Nazareth grads are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation
1,631
high-impact experiential learning experiences completed by the undergraduate class of 2024
$4,000
Our SPARK Grant provides up to $4,000 for you to pursue internships, research, and study abroad. SPARK details »
Want to teach English?
- For elementary school (birth to grade 6): You can double major in English and in inclusive early childhood/childhood education, for a curriculum that includes both English and teaching younger children, preparing you to get teaching certification.
- For middle/high school (grades 7-12): You major in English and add the inclusive adolescence education program, for a curriculum that includes both English and teaching older children, preparing you to get teaching certification in your content area.
Program Director
Alumni Spotlight
“In the ‘Information Age,’ digital and technical literacy is critical in progressing as a professional regardless of the field. I feel strongly that my studies as an English major prepared me for encounters with people who are different than I, to be able to connect with them on a meaningful level, rather than superficial politeness.
“I find reading and literature tends to have an equalizing quality and provides an accessible outlet for connection between unlikely companions. During my time at Nazareth, I participated in several professional and volunteer experiences including an internship within my preferred field. These experiences helped to immerse me in my future as a civically engaged and informed professional.”
— Katie Oechsle ’25 works in programming and circulation at two libraries while pursuing a master’s in information and library science at University at Buffalo with a focus on public librarianship and outreach