English majors develop reading, writing, and critical thinking skills by studying authors, genres, and periods. Core courses include British literature, American Literature, and literary studies.

We offer traditional and unique electives which allow you to shape your degree to your interests. Electives include linguistics, African American literature, fiction into film, Shakespeare, poetry, memoir writing, and many others.

Most of our students complement their English degree with a second major or minor. Common combinations include English and History; English and Political Science; and English and Philosophy. We are happy to help you match your interests to a degree and career path. Contact us today to arrange a campus visit or chat with an English professor!

At SAU, we want you to put your growing skills and creativity to use. English majors can:

• Serve on the student advisory board for Quercus, SAU's literary journal for fiction, poetry, and visual art.
• Write for the SAU student newspaper, The Buzz
• Study as a Fulbright Scholar
• Join SAU's student club, English Pros(e)

You can explore careers and get real-world experience before graduating with our internship program that's coordinated by the SAU Career Center. Students have landed internships at area print and media outlets; communications and PR firms; nonprofit organizations, and others.

English Department faculty provide opportunities throughout the year to engage with visiting authors as well as the world around you through Study Abroad.

And if service is part of your plan, we are one of few universities in Iowa offering Peace Corps Prep, a program that makes you a stronger candidate for volunteer positions within the Peace Corps or other service programs. Employers value the skills and cultural worldview you gain in Peace Corps, and best of all, most students can earn the Peace Corps certificate without taking extra courses.

• Emily Bailey Keimig '16 coordinates Youth Services at LeClaire (Iowa) Community Library.
• Eric Herbst '16 works in marketing for Mississippi Valley Credit Union.
• Livv McDonald '16 is a technical writer at Twin State Technical Services.
• Mary Madormo '13, a double major in English and public relations, is a marketing coordinator for Nickelodeon.

A liberal arts education – along with strong critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills – can lead you into a variety of career fields including English education; practicing law; advertising, marketing, public relations, and communications; print, television or radio journalism; and technical writing.

You will also be a strong candidate for graduate studies in education, law, library science, medicine, journalism, and creative writing.

Wait – med school? Absolutely. Majors from the humanities – English is one of them – have a higher acceptance rate (and higher MCAT scores) into medical school than science majors. And the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is purposely recruiting students from outside the sciences.

Sarah Dennis, Chair and Asst. Professor

Patrick Connelly, Professor
Philip Goldfarb Styrt, Teaching Fellow
Carl Herzig, Professor
Emily Kingery, Asst. Professor
Lindsay Schaefer, Instructor

Required:
+ENGL 201 British Literature I
+ENGL 202 British Literature II
ENGL 210 American Literature I
ENGL 211 American Literature II
WI-ENGL 219 Introduction to Literary Studies
WI-ENGL 401 Senior Seminar

Electives:
21 elective English credits (12 credits of which must be at least 300-level)

See Course Descriptions

For academic/merit-based awards, eligible students are matched to the qualifying award; some of them are listed below.

For need-based support, eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code is 001889.

You may also qualify for a scholarship or grant due to your talent in the fine arts or athletics. Give us a call or send an email so we can get to know you and find the best package for you. (You're also encouraged to seek outside scholarships and begin that search early.)

Institutional scholarships (2018-19)

There is no need to apply for the scholarships or grants below; students automatically are eligible if they meet specific criteria, although some may require a certain GPA to stay eligible.

The Admissions Office calculates the award amount by using high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores.

Ambrose Scholar
For First Year, on-campus residents only. Straight As on high school transcript and a minimum 30 ACT score. Applicants who meet Ambrose Scholar criteria will be invited to compete for a full-tuition scholarship for $@{17-18-Tuition}.

Trustee Scholar
$22,000/year - For First-year, on-campus residents only. Unweighted 3.8 GPA, 28+ACT. May be offset by state and/or federal aid if eligible.

Academic Scholarship
$14,000-17,000/year - Based on GPA and ACT/SAT score

University Grant
$12,000/year - Based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT score

Additional Scholarships (2018-19)

If you want to apply for any of the scholarships below, contact the Admissions Office.

Fine Arts Scholarships
Award based on performance and ability in art, music, or theatre. Includes the Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship. Audition or portfolio required.

Athletics Scholarships
Award varies. Based on performance and ability. Marching Band scholarships available. See below.

Freeman Pollard Minority Scholarship
$1,000 for on-campus students; $500 for off-campus. For accepted minority students.

Menke Parish Scholarship
Award varies. For First Year students only who are recommended by their parish pastor in the Diocese of Davenport. Recommendation form (pdf) to be completed by your pastor.

Father Welch Alumni Scholarship
$1,000/year. For on-campus students only whose parent is a St. Ambrose graduate.