Program Overview
English, B.A.
McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Our English program offers diverse courses designed to challenge and inspire you in the classroom and beyond, providing you with adaptable skills for a changing world.
As an English major, you'll be part of a vibrant intellectual community and work closely with award-winning teachers who care about your ideas, wellbeing, and success. Our department is unique in housing faculty from multiple disciplines and fields, providing you with wide-ranging perspectives, diverse skills, and unique opportunities for research.
Program Highlights
Exciting Courses
Study Shakespeare to Toni Morrison, modern forms from comics to digital writing, and science in literature from medicine to climate fiction.Award-winning Faculty
Benefit from smaller classes designed for discussion and individualized focus. Learn from a dynamic, diverse community of teacher-scholars.Flexible Curriculum
Tailor studies to interests and goals within four tracks, including completion of the B.A. and Master of Teaching in about five years.Highly Portable Skills
Stand out to employers in a range of fields by honing skills in communication, research, critical thinking, collaboration, and more.
What You’ll Study
Popular courses include Literature and Law, Creative Writing, and Introduction to Rhetoric, plus courses such as Introduction to Comics Studies, Shakespeare’s Tragedies, and Young Adult Literature. Choose from concentrations in writing, communication and culture, and secondary English education. Join the INK! Undergraduate Student Association, open to all students.
Building Skills
Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.
Writing
Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books, and reports.Analytical Reasoning
Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections, and solutions.Critical Thinking
Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments.Communication
Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing, or other means of expression.Multicultural Awareness
Understanding cultural variation and adapting behaviors and communication styles accordingly.Collaboration
Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective.
Using Your Degree
Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.
Potential Careers
- Teacher
- Writer
- Editor
- Journalist
- Columnist
- Grant Writer
Job Titles of Alumni
- Writer
- Marketing Manager
- Social Media Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Technical Writer
- Editor
Average Alumni Salary
Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education: $59,669
Workplace Settings
- Education
- Journalism
- Publishing
- Library Science
- Business
- Arts and Entertainment
Employers of Alumni
- University of South Carolina
- Glacial Multimedia
- Kendall Press
- PepsiCo
- MailChimp
- Penguin Random House
Advanced Degrees
Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.
- Master's
- Secondary Education, M.T.
- College of Education
- Master's
- Creative Writing, M.F.A.
- McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
- Master's | Doctorate
- English, M.A. / Ph.D.
- McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
- Doctorate
- Law, J.D.
- Joseph F. Rice School of Law
- Secondary Education, M.T.
I quickly became swept up in the power that stories hold in our society. I was immediately exposed to perspectives and worlds other than the ones I had known, and it gave me a newfound passion for storytelling as a means to change the world.
Jackson Ringley
Related Degrees
- Bachelor's
- Chinese Studies: Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A.
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- Bachelor's
- Linguistics: Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A.
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- Linguistics: Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A.
- Bachelor's
- History, B.A.
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- History, B.A.
- Bachelor's
- Religious Studies, B.A.
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- Religious Studies, B.A.
- Bachelor's
- German: Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A.
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- Bachelor's
- Theatre, B.A.
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- Bachelor's
- French: Languages, Literatures and Cultures, B.A.
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- Bachelor's
- 3D/SCULPTURE: STUDIO ART, B.F.A.
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- Bachelor's
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Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The English B.A. program at the University of South Carolina offers diverse courses designed to challenge and inspire students in the classroom and beyond, providing them with adaptable skills for a changing world.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Provide students with a vibrant intellectual community.
- Offer close interaction with award-winning teachers who care about students' ideas, well-being, and success.
- Expose students to wide-ranging perspectives, diverse skills, and unique research opportunities through faculty from multiple disciplines and fields.
Teaching:
- The program emphasizes smaller classes designed for discussion and individualized focus.
- Students benefit from learning from a dynamic, diverse community of teacher-scholars.
Careers:
- The program helps students hone skills in communication, research, critical thinking, collaboration, and more, making them stand out to employers in a range of fields.
- Potential career paths include: Teacher, Writer, Editor, Journalist, Columnist, Grant Writer, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Public Relations Manager, Technical Writer, and Editor.
- Alumni have found employment at various organizations, including the University of South Carolina, Glacial Multimedia, Kendall Press, PepsiCo, MailChimp, and Penguin Random House.
Other:
- The program offers four tracks, including the option to complete the B.A. and Master of Teaching in about five years.
- The program sponsors the INK! Undergraduate Student Association, open to any student who loves reading and writing.
- The program highlights exciting courses, including Literature and Law, Creative Writing, Introduction to Rhetoric, Introduction to Comics Studies, Shakespeare's Tragedies, and Young Adult Literature.
- The program emphasizes the development of professional and personal intelligence for a successful career, including skills in writing, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, communication, multicultural awareness, and collaboration.
- The program encourages students to advance their careers or options with post-graduate education, including Master's in Secondary Education, Master's in Creative Writing, Master's/Doctorate in English, and Doctorate in Law.
- The program provides outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center, to showcase how alumni use their degrees.
- The average alumni salary five to ten years after graduation without additional education is $59,669.
- The program highlights the importance of storytelling as a means to change the world, as expressed by a student, Jackson Ringley.
Overview:
The University of South Carolina is a public research university with a rich history spanning over 200 years. It is known for its commitment to academic excellence, fostering a welcoming community of scholars and leaders, and providing a diverse range of academic programs.
Services Offered:
The university offers a wide array of services to its students, including:
Academic Support:
Provides resources and assistance to help students succeed in their studies.Career Prep:
Offers guidance and support for students seeking internships, jobs, and career development.Study Abroad:
Facilitates opportunities for students to gain international experience and broaden their horizons.Dining:
Provides various dining options on campus, catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs.Clubs and Organizations:
Offers a vibrant student life with numerous clubs and organizations for students to join and pursue their interests.Sports and Outdoors:
Provides opportunities for students to engage in sports and outdoor activities, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.Arts and Entertainment:
Offers a variety of cultural events, performances, and entertainment options for students to enjoy.Inclusive Excellence:
Promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their background or identity.University 101:
Provides resources and information for new students to navigate campus life and academic expectations.My USC Experience:
Offers a platform for students to connect with each other, engage in events, and access resources.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Students at the University of South Carolina can expect a vibrant and engaging campus experience. The university boasts a welcoming community, numerous clubs and organizations, diverse dining options, and opportunities for sports, arts, and entertainment. The campus is also home to a variety of traditions and events that create a sense of belonging and shared experience.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Excellence:
The university is recognized for its high-quality academic programs and its commitment to research.Diverse Programs:
Offers over 350 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates and specialties.Welcoming Community:
Provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students from all backgrounds.Unrivaled Experience:
Offers a unique blend of academic rigor, student life, and opportunities for personal growth.Strong Alumni Network:
Provides graduates with a network of support and connections for their future careers.Academic Programs:
The University of South Carolina is home to 15 colleges and schools, offering a wide range of academic programs. Some of the key academic strengths include:
Arts and Sciences:
Offers a broad range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.Business:
The Darla Moore School of Business is renowned for its strong programs in finance, marketing, and management.Engineering and Computing:
Offers programs in various engineering disciplines, computer science, and information technology.Medicine:
The university has two medical schools, one in Columbia and one in Greenville, offering programs in medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.Law:
The Joseph F. Rice School of Law is known for its strong legal education and its commitment to public service.Other:
The university is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students. It offers various resources and services to support student safety and well-being, including a campus police department, emergency alert system, and counseling services.
