Program Overview
A Bachelor of Arts in English from Youngstown State University prepares students to analyze language, culture, and communication while developing skills widely valued across industries. English majors learn to read critically, write clearly, research effectively, and interpret complex ideas. These competencies support careers in education, business, media, law, nonprofit work, government, and other professional fields where communication, analysis, and adaptability are essential.
The English program at YSU emphasizes close faculty mentoring, applied learning, and intellectual flexibility. Small class sizes support individualized instruction and sustained engagement with faculty. Students gain hands-on experience through internships, student organizations, and campus events such as the English Festival. Majors work with community partners on real-world writing projects, contribute to Jenny, the student-run literary magazine, and collaborate with faculty on research, often presenting their work at regional academic conferences.
The BA in English offers four concentrations, allowing students to tailor the degree to their interests and career goals. These include Creative Writing, Linguistics and TESOL, Literature, and Professional Writing. Each concentration builds core analytical and writing skills while allowing students to focus on specific forms of language, communication, and cultural study.
All English majors regularly practice reading and writing as central habits of the discipline. Students learn to read literature, film, and professional documents with analytical depth and cultural awareness. They study language systematically and engage with contemporary communication tools and technologies, including artificial intelligence. As writers, students become intentional decision-makers who learn to shape content for different purposes and audiences.
Majors create a wide range of texts, including essays, literary analyses, poems, screenplays, grant proposals, infographics, research reports, podcasts, and professional documents. They learn to craft compelling narratives, write about information and data, and communicate in ways that inform, persuade, and engage specific audiences. These skills align directly with YSU’s University-Wide Learning Outcomes, particularly critical thinking, communication, ethical reasoning, and integrative analysis.
The Bachelor of Arts in English includes coursework in literature, writing, rhetoric, language studies, and professional communication. Students explore American, British, and global literatures, advanced composition, professional and technical writing, linguistic analysis, and cultural interpretation. The program culminates in a senior capstone experience that emphasizes synthesis, research, and applied communication. General education coursework complements the major by strengthening quantitative reasoning, scientific literacy, and interdisciplinary thinking.
An English degree does not lead to a single job title. Instead, it provides a flexible foundation for careers that rely on communication, analysis, and strategic thinking. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a bachelor’s degree in English work across occupations, including education, management, business, legal services, media, public administration, and nonprofit organizations. Employers consistently value skills developed through English study, including writing, research, interpretation, collaboration, and audience awareness.
Graduates pursue careers in business and marketing, technical writing and editing, education, grants and nonprofit organizations, government and law, journalism, and entrepreneurship. An English major may become an editor or copywriter, a lawyer or paralegal, a teacher or librarian, a reporter or publicist, or advance into leadership roles that depend on communication and analytical judgment. While some positions require additional credentials or graduate study, the bachelor’s degree in English provides a strong foundation for entry into these fields and for long-term career mobility.
YSU’s English program emphasizes applied learning through writing-intensive coursework, research projects, internships, and a senior capstone. Students collaborate with peers, faculty, and community partners, building professional habits such as empathy, teamwork, and strategic thinking. These experiences prepare graduates to contribute meaningfully to their organizations and to take on leadership roles in their communities.
If you enjoy reading, writing, and critical thinking and want a degree that develops adaptable skills valued across many professions, the Bachelor of Arts in English at Youngstown State University offers a flexible and durable foundation. English graduates succeed in careers where communication, analysis, creativity, and informed decision-making are essential.
Each year, thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education (BCLASSE). Scholarships come from a variety of sources, vary in amount, and are available to both incoming and current BLCASSE students. Below, you will find further information regarding the opportunities that may be available to you through the college.
