our faculty
"… In a beautiful book by the theorist George Steiner, he talks about the way we need to give children words and images."
read her storyAs an English major, you'll develop skills that prepare you for a wide variety of career fields.
Overview & Distinctions
Overview
As an English major, you'll develop skills that prepare you for a wide variety of career fields, from journalism to education. You'll learn to master the skill of writing and develop a critical understanding and appreciation for classic British, American, and world literature.
The English major leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Choose one of two concentrations:
Writing
Learn to write with clarity and get experience publishing non-fiction, creative fiction, poetry and drama.
Literature
Through close reading of texts, gain an understanding of authors and genres, and critical and cultural theories about literature.
Why Choose D'Youville?
- Get individualized attention in small classes taught by accomplished faculty writers and scholars, not teaching assistants.
- Build your resume with professional internships at local newspapers, publishers, literary centers, and nonprofit organizations, while gaining perspective on a future career.
- Deepen your knowledge and cultural understanding through study abroad at a foreign university.
- Gain journalism experience by writing for the student newspaper or the department's arts and creative journal.
- Strong interdisciplinary coursework provides an excellent basis for graduate study. Add a minor to further strengthen your background.
- D'Youville's long commitment to a liberal education means that you'll receive the kind of interdisciplinary education that will give you a rock-solid foundation. Gain skills like problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and written, visual, and oral communication — all skills that employers believe are critical to success, no matter what career path you decide to take.
Automatic Merit-Based Scholarship Consideration
When you apply for admission at D’Youville, we’ll automatically consider you for our merit scholarships. Undergraduate scholarships can cover as much as 50% of your tuition, and there is no need to fill out a separate application!
Transfer students can qualify for scholarships, as well. And unlike other schools, maintaining your scholarship is easier at D'Youville because we use a realistic 2.25 GPA requirement to determine your eligibility for merit-based scholarships each year.
Check out the chart below to see if you qualify:
| Scholarships | SAT (M & EBRW) or ACT* / GPA | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
| President's | 88/1170 or 24 | $13,000 + $3,000 Room and Board Waiver |
| Founder's | 83/1080 or 21 | $10,000 + $2,000 Room and Board Waiver |
| Dean's | 80/980 or 18 Anyone with a 90 GPA can receive this award without test score consideration. |
$8,000 |
| Transfer | 3.5+ | $5,000 |
| Transfer | 3.25 - 3.49 | $4,500 |
| Transfer | 3.0 - 3.24 | $4,000 |
| Transfer | 2.75 - 2.99 | $3,500 |
*D'Youville only requires that you submit the results from one test.
Find more information and additional scholarships on our scholarships page.
Admission Requirements
Admissions Requirements
First Time Freshmen
D'Youville selects students who are academically well-rounded and committed to meeting the challenges of a high-quality education. If you have been successful in a traditional college preparatory program in high school, you should be well-prepared for the academic challenges at D'Youville.
Students entering D'Youville as a freshman must meet the following minimum entrance criteria:
| High School Average | SAT + (or) | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 980 | 19 |
+ Score is based on the new SAT score format which went into effect in March 2016.
Our admitted freshman class profile:
High school average: 85% attained a B or better
Class rank: 87% of students in the top 50 percent of their class or higher
| Test Scores | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing* | 460 | 590 | 530 |
| SAT Math* | 510 | 590 | 550 |
| SAT Composite* | 1010 | 1180 | 1090 |
| ACT Composite* | 21 | 25 | 23 |
*These scores reflect the new SAT score format, which went into effect in March 2016.
Transfer students
Students entering D'Youville as a transfer student must meet the following entrance criteria:
Criteria for Admission: Transfer students with a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher will be considered for admission.
Average Cumulative GPA: 3.26
Review the steps to apply for admission to D'Youville as a transfer student.
Curriculum
Curriculum
The English degree curriculum is designed for maximum flexibility for students to develop their own course of study in partnership with their academic English faculty advisor. The path through the rest of the curriculum is individually designed to move students through basic skill sets to more advanced study and application of knowledge.
English
Degree: B.A.
The English degree curriculum is designed for maximum flexibility for students to develop their own course of study in partnership with their academic English faculty advisor. The path through the rest of the curriculum is individually designed to move students through basic skill sets to more advanced study and application of knowledge.
Courses Requirements for the Major:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 237 |
Introduction to Literary CriticismThis course will provide students with the necessary skills to work consciously and
effectively within the discourse of the discipline. Emphasis will be given to the
following: further refinement of close critical reading skills; understanding of literary
terms; understanding of basic critical and theoretical terms, concepts and methodologies;
and understanding of genres. |
3.0 |
| ENG | 6 | |
| ENG | 3 | |
| ENG |
Any four additional 200-level courses in ENGAny four additional 200-level courses in ENG
|
12 |
| ENG |
Any four additional 300-400-level courses in ENGAny four additional 300-400-level courses in ENG
|
12 |
| ENG |
Choose one Free Elective or ENG 444Choose one free elective or ENG 444
|
3 |
| Total | 39 | |
Major: 39
Minor - Students are strongly encouraged to have a minor in another discipline: 15
Core requirements and electives: 66
Total: 120
NOTE: ENG 111-112 are required of all students and do not count towards the major.
Careers
Careers
Because every employer lists strong communications skills as a top priority when hiring, English majors enjoy a wide variety of employment opportunities. As an English graduate you'll have the skills that prepare you for a wide variety of employment fields, making you among the most sought after of the liberal arts graduates.
English majors enter a variety of career fields after graduation, including:
- education
- marketing and public relations
- media communications
- media outlets
- publishing
- libraries
- government service
English majors also pursue graduate study in the field and in related disciplines such as history, philosophy, education, and law. English majors are also excellent candidates for opportunities in the Peace Corps.
Internships
Internships
As an English major at D'Youville, you'll build your resume with professional internships at local newspapers, publishers, literary centers, and nonprofit organizations, while gaining perspective on a future career.
- Internships are mandatory
- All internships are arranged by academic advisors, who will follow your progress over the course of the residency.
English majors at D'Youville can complete their internship requirement by working with various organizations including: