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Undergraduate Degrees and Minors in English

Gain marketable skills with a bachelor’s degree in English from BSU

Your love of literature and writing meet professional preparation in the Department of English at Bridgewater State University. Earn your Bachelor of Arts in English in one of our four concentrations: creative writing, English education, literature and writing studies. BSU also offers flexible and widely applicable minors in literature and writing.

Our diverse faculty focuses on building reading and writing expertise across genres. Plus, we’re located near Boston, with easy access to museums, readings, internships and a variety of interesting activities for students pursuing a bachelor’s in English.

Bachelor of Arts in English Program Highlights

Dr. Matt Bell sitting on a desk teaching an English class

Work with distinguished faculty

As a bachelor’s in English student at BSU, you’ll learn from faculty active in publishing, literary scholarship and creative writing in genres such as poetry, short fiction, novels and memoir. We also offer personalized career advising throughout your tenure here.
Four students gathered around a computer, discussing the cover for The Bridge

Learn publishing firsthand

BSU provides English students opportunities to learn firsthand about publishing via our award-winning literary and arts journal, The Bridge.
A group of students standing in front of of a table getting books autographed by visiting author Paul Murray

Gain valuable insight from accomplished authors

Benefit from the mentorship of accomplished authors teaching in our literature and creative writing bachelor’s degree programs.

Explore career fields of interest with an internship

Gain valuable job experience while earning credit toward your bachelor’s degree in English. A wide variety of opportunities await in areas like publishing, government, education, public relations, marketing, museums and nonprofit organizations.

Develop professional presentation and public speaking skills

Take part in BSU’s annual Undergraduate Literature Conference, which empowers bachelor’s in English students to sharpen professional competencies while networking with peers from nearby Stonehill College and UMass Boston.

Flexibility to learn on your schedule

BSU’s College of Continuing Studies gives you maximum flexibility to complete your degree. The BA in English Literature concentration may be taken on Bridgewater’s main campus during the day, or you may pursue your degree at night. Our night program follows the same requirements and curriculum as our day program, and many of our faculty members teach during the day as well as at night.

Take advantage of multiple scholarship opportunities

Bridgewater State University offers one of the best undergraduate English programs in the area, due in part to the wide array of scholarships available to our majors, including:

  • Jeanne E. Doherty Memorial Scholarship
  • Dr. Harold G. Ridlon Memorial Scholarship
  • Professor Thomas M. and Ann M. Curley English Scholarship

Looking to transfer?

Did you know that 35% of BSU undergraduates enter as transfer students? Our dedicated Transfer Services staff will work with you to figure out how to transfer credits, which courses to take next, and how to settle in as a member of the BSU community.

Earn your law degree

BSU now has a 3+3 program in partnership with UMass Law. Through this accelerated program, you may complete your bachelor's degree in English at Bridgewater and your JD law degree at UMass Law in a total of six years, instead of the usual seven.

Program of Study for Bachelor of Arts in English Students

We believe good writers are also good readers, and as such, our creative writing bachelor’s degree employs a workshop method in which you’ll become adept at providing and receiving feedback from peers. You’ll hone your craft while building expertise in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Students who choose our writing studies concentration work to develop the skills of technical and professional writing and rhetoric. The literature concentration indulges a love of great works while also focusing on marketable skills in research and analysis.

Undergraduates pursing a bachelor’s in English education along with a double major in Secondary Education develop the necessary skills to teach English/language arts from grades 6-12. BSU’s curriculum aligns with state standards for educators and includes coursework in young adult literature, culturally diverse literature and teaching of writing.

A writing or literature minor makes the perfect complement to any major, equipping students with the analytical skills in-demand by employers.

Click any link below to reveal each program's course detail.

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Program details from 2023-2024 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Programs Related to a Bachelor’s Degree in English

Our department houses interdisciplinary minors that enhance a Bachelor of Arts in English. Students can add a minor in African American Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies and Irish Studies. English education majors also major in Secondary Education.

Careers in English

No matter which Bachelor of Arts in English program you pursue at Bridgewater State University, from a BA in English education to a creative writing bachelor’s degree, you’ll gain valuable, marketable skills like the ability to think critically and creatively, write persuasively and conduct research. Upon graduating, you’ll be a desirable candidate for positions in fields from education to business.

We’ve seen alumni with a Bachelor of Arts in English go on to rewarding careers in marketing, media and publishing. Some graduates of our program choose to get their master’s in library science or English or continue on to law school.

BSU English majors hold job titles such as:

  • Middle school English teacher
  • Young adult author
  • Correspondent/reporter
  • Marketing manager
  • Sports editor
  • Senior medical copy editor

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with a bachelor’s in English earn a median income of

$51,000
Students at a desk in an English classroom

Earn your Bachelor’s Degree in English While Working Toward Your MA

BSU can offer one of the best undergraduate English programs for students interested in an accelerated degree. Our BA/MA Joint Degree Program allows you to take graduate courses senior year, shortening the path to an advanced degree.
View BSU Graduate Programs

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