200,000+
Alumni from our Global Campuses
Explore the Power of Literature and Language
Webster University’s Bachelor of Arts in English program offers a comprehensive education to refine your skills in literary analysis, critical writing and oral expression. Immerse yourself in the aesthetic dimensions of literary texts while exploring their historical and cultural contexts, and the ways they both communicate and critique societal values and practices. You can also tailor your English degree by adding our Emphasis in Drama and Playwriting.
Our Bachelor of Arts in English fosters a collaborative environment with small classes and seminars. You’ll actively engage in vibrant discussions and receive personalized attention from passionate faculty members. Additionally, outstanding student work is featured in The Mercury, our annual publication for faculty-selected papers and honors theses.
Your courses in English will span diverse time periods, cultures and themes. You’ll study literary criticism, theory, linguistics and film adaptations, while seminars dedicated to renowned authors like Jane Austen and Toni Morrison will enrich your understanding of the literary landscape.
In our BA in English practicum program, you can gain hands-on experience as a social media manager, videographer, marketing coordinator, event planner or podcaster. As an English degree major, you can also edit publications like The Mercury or The Green Fuse, our student literary journal, to build your portfolio and showcase your skills. Additional experience-based learning opportunities include archival visits, outdoor walks, Shakespearean scene performances and other era-specific activities.
“Literature can change the world for the better, and I plan to be a part of that change by editing and improving works so they can be shared with the public in their best forms.”
Anah Crawford-Washington
BA in English, '22
Choose Webster for Your Bachelor's in English
Add an Emphasis in Drama and Playwriting
Our English degree with an Emphasis in Drama and Playwriting provides essential skills for teaching, writing, scholarship and theatre professions. Explore a rich legacy of dramatic literature spanning ancient to modern eras, including works from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Develop your own writing skills and gain an appreciation for the craft through immersive playwriting workshops.
Examine Literature with a World Perspective
With our bachelor’s degree in English, you’ll examine literature from diverse cultures, regions and time periods, providing you with a global perspective. Take your educational journey even further by pursuing your BA in English at our campus in Athens, Greece — an inspiring backdrop for exploring literature in its historical and geographical context.
Join a Thriving Literary Community
Our Bachelor of Arts in English program flourishes within St. Louis’ vibrant literary community. The city boasts numerous independent bookstores, extensive library systems and a year-round calendar of literary festivals, readings and book sales. Attend performances at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Other events, like our student-run Surfacing one-act play festival, also foster a dynamic creative environment.
Receive Personal Support for Your Career Goals
English degree majors are encouraged to enroll in ENGL 2000: The English and Creative Writing Major after Graduation. In this 1-credit-hour course, you can participate in activities like resume building, networking, informational interviews, career-field research and mock interviews. Learn how to translate your English skills into language that potential employers understand and value. Each week in the class, English degree students are visited by guest speakers from the department’s Dedicated Alumni Network (DAN). Members of the DAN also make themselves available to mentor, network with and provide resources for students.
Benefit From Small Classes and Expert Faculty
Our bachelor’s in English features small classes, typically around 15 to 20 students, providing ample opportunities for individual attention and meaningful interactions. With a wider range of courses in English than most institutions, you can explore diverse literary genres and subjects. Our dedicated faculty enrich your learning by drawing on their real-world experience as active researchers, and published writers.
“I will change the world with my Webster degree by letting it change me — change is precipitated by education.”
Trinity Locke
BA in English with an Emphasis in Drama and Playwriting, '24
Bachelor of Arts in English
Find out more about the overall curriculum, electives, learning outcomes and more for our English degree.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in English?
Our Bachelor of Arts in English opens doors to a wide range of possibilities. In addition to preparing graduates for entry into graduate school, our BA in English has equipped alumni for success in several fields, including editing, publishing, education, banking, technology, marketing, health care and more.
As the job field boasts variety, so do the possible salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions such as editors and public relations specialists hovered around a median of $63,000 per year in 2021, while in other, similar fields, salaries are even higher. For example, that same year, advertising, promotions and marketing managers earned a median of $133,380 per year (BLS).
In fact, the communication, collaboration, creativity, open-mindedness and adaptability fostered throughout Webster’s courses in English are highly valued in today’s job market. Our English degree program also features a special course, ENGL 2000: The English and Creative Writing Major after Graduation, to assist you in building an individualized plan to kickstart your career.
Additionally, as an English degree major, you’ll have access to Webster’s Career Planning and Development Center, which provides an abundance of resources to help you reach your career goals. You can also connect with our extensive alumni network to gain valuable insights and guidance from English and creative writing Gorloks who have excelled in their careers.
Some of the many opportunities you can pursue with your English degree include:
- Writer/Author
- Editor
- Content Strategist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Social Media Manager
- Communications Specialist
- Teacher/Educator
- Proofreader
- Publishing Assistant
- Grant Writer
- Journalist
The careers of the future will value the kinds of skills our students learn: analysis, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, and synthesis. Our students learn to make connections, to pick up new skills quickly, and to integrate new information and knowledge to discover creative solutions. These skills and attributes are applicable to any career field.
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Contact the Admissions Office to Find Out More
If you have more questions about the program, your application or other enrollment-related inquiries, contact our Admissions Office.
Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or send an email to admit@webster.edu.