Bachelor of Arts in English
Program Overview & Goals
The English major at Hendrix College allows students to choose their focus among Literary Studies, Creative Writing, and Film and Media Studies. Through close reading, critical analysis, creative inquiry, and written expression, students explore how texts and film shape and reflect human experience. The program emphasizes intellectual curiosity, interpretive skill, effective communication, and engagement with diverse perspectives while preparing students to think critically and communicate persuasively.
Via Hendrix
Whether your goals include going to law school, becoming a journalist, or writing a novel, you can get there Via Hendrix.
Via Hendrix connects your academic experience to the life and career you want to build.
From your first year through graduation, you will engage in hands-on learning, personalized guidance, and professional experiences that help turn ambition into action. At Hendrix, career readiness is woven into the fabric of the liberal arts experience, empowering you to grow intellectually, professionally, and personally from day one.
Careers & Outcomes
The Hendrix English department’s attention to rhetorical and expressive writing, media literacy, history and theory of texts, primary document analysis, and digital practice prepares students for a variety of rich and vibrant future careers.
Salary Projections
The median salary for technical writers is $90,390 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Top Industries
- Law
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Marketing & Public Relations
- Film
Career Options
The Hendrix English major is versatile. Hendrix English alumni work in a variety of interesting, fulfilling careers, including:
- Educator
- Attorney
- Entrepreneur
- Editor
Co-op Opportunities
Experience separates good job candidates from great ones. At Hendrix, professional work experiences are guaranteed through our robust co-op program. Through this required component of the English major, students can work at places including:
- Literary Magazines
- News Networks
- Schools
- Government Offices
- Radio & Communications
- Film & Media
Roadmap to the Bachelor of Arts in English
By training students to engage critically with and create a variety of media, our English major affords them a solid foundation in literature with a focus on creative writing, film and media studies, or literary studies.
Year One
First-Year Foundations gives you the freedom to discover what you care about most and find a path to get there.
Year Two
In your second year, you will have a stronger vision of what your academic experience and career planning look like. Your integrated advising team of faculty, career counselors, and mentors will ensure that the things you study align with your future goals while still providing room to explore.
Year Three
Your third year includes a required full-time co-op. For one semester, you earn credit while applying knowledge from your coursework in a professional setting.
Year Four
Your last year is not the finish line. It is where everything starts. Complete your Senior Thesis, present and defend your original work, and graduate with the confidence to pursue graduate study, publishing, teaching, law, or countless other career paths.
Meet the Faculty
Every member of our full-time faculty in the Department of English holds a Ph.D. or M.F.A., demonstrating their expertise and close connection to the current pulse of their respective fields of study. Just as importantly, they are dedicated to you. They work closely with you as both teachers and mentors, supporting you every step of the way to your dream career.
Related Programs
At Hendrix, you can study theatre arts, visual arts, French, or even build your own major that blends creativity, artistic expression, and language study.
Your Next Steps Via Hendrix
Explore stories, sharpen your voice, and develop powerful communication skills. Learn how much value the English major from Hendrix College can deliver for you as you prepare for careers in writing, law, education, publishing, and beyond.