Major Programs
Earn a B.A. in English or Spanish
English majors can choose to focus on Applied Linguistics, Education, or Literary Studies. Both English and Spanish majors are immersed in literary and cultural study, learning about how language functions and changes over time, and getting lots of practice in reading deeply, thinking critically, building arguments ethically, and communicating purposefully across a variety of contexts.
If you're interested in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), consider our blended B.A. + M.A. program—learn more below!
Learn more about our major programs
Ever wonder why language works the way it does? Applied Linguistics is the systematic study of human language and the everyday concerns related to language use. Courses teach the structural organization of languages, the mental processes involved in language acquisition and use, the ways humans learn additional languages in and out of the classroom, and the interaction between language and society. Linguists work as speech therapists, translators, interpreters, language database analysts, to name just a few career paths.
If you'd like to earn a B.A. + M.A. in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in as few as 5 years, consider our blended degree program!
Learn more about Applied Linguistics and our blended degree program here
Do you want to be a middle school or high school English teacher? The English Education curriculum prepares students to enter single subject credential programs and become middle school or high school English language arts teachers. The curriculum includes literature, linguistics, rhetoric, writing, and pedagogy courses that prepare students for a career in secondary education.
Do you love reading and dissecting fiction, poetry, and drama? The Literary Studies major option provides students with a strong background in writing and linguistics while engaging with literature across time periods, geographies, and literary movements. This option prepares students for a wide variety of career paths, including law, higher education, marketing, grant writing, video game narrative development, and more.
¿Te fascinan la lengua y las culturas del mundo hispano? Our Spanish major includes courses in language, literature, culture, linguistics, and writing, with opportunities for community engagement, internships, and studying abroad. Majors go on to work as teachers, translators, interpreters or in the business or nonprofit sectors.