Bachelor of Arts in English
Program Overview & Goals
The English major at Hendrix College provides students with tracks to study Literature, Creative Writing, and Film 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 interpretive skill, effective communication, intellectual curiosity, and engagement with multiple 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 a Writers and Authors is $72,270 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Top Industries
- Law
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Marketing
Career Options
The Hendrix English major is versatile. Hendrix English alumni work in a variety of interesting, fulfilling careers, including:
- Professor
- Attorney
- Projectionist
- 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
Roadmap to the Bachelor of Arts in English
Trained in critically engaging with and creating a variety of media, our English major affords students a solid foundation in literary studies with the option to emphasize creative writing, film and media studies, or a deeper exploration of literary studies.
Year One
Our First-Year Experience 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.
Alex Vernon
M.E. and Ima Graves Peace Distinguished Professor of English
Chair, Department of English
Carol L. West
Harold and Lucy Cabe Distinguished Professor of English
Celeste Reeb
Assistant Professor of English-Film and Media Studies
Ellie Black
Assistant Professor of English
Felipe Pruneda Senties
Director of the Writing Center
Marie Kressin
Assistant Professor of English
Rudrani Sarma
Assistant Professor and Murphy Fellow in English
Tyrone Jaeger
Professor of English-Creative Writing
Director of the Hendrix-Murphy Program in Literature & Language
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.