English Major

About our program

Develop skills, perspectives and knowledge that will serve you for a lifetime. As an English major, you’ll be prepared for a wide variety of professions, ranging from law and education, to medicine and business, and practically everything in between. Choose a concentration in either Literature or Writing-Intensive English. Either way, the critical thinking, analytical abilities and writing skills you’ll gain will be invaluable in your career.  

Here, you’ll rub shoulders with the Pulitzer Prize winners and Nobel laureates who visit campus, learn from faculty known for their research and creative works, and get real-world experience with opportunities like writing internships and mentoring.  

At Marquette, we view everything through the lens of serving others, which means that when you graduate, you’ll understand how to use the power of words to make a positive difference in the world.  

Marquette Hall, view from Wisconsin Avenue.

Marquette Hall, College of Arts and Sciences

Benefits you’ll get from Marquette’s College of Arts and Sciences

The ability to make significant positive change in the world requires knowing more than one area well. And since our College of Arts and Sciences is the most academically diverse college on campus, we're the perfect place to prepare for your role as a changemaker. So broaden your expertise by adding at least one additional major or minor to your degree — 73% of our students do. 

What can you do with a major in English from Marquette?

About half of our English graduates go on to graduate and professional schools, while the rest go directly into the workforce. Here’s where some of our recent graduates landed professionally 

  • Curator24 
  • Direct Supply 
  • Epic 
  • International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society 
  • Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago 
  • Quarles & Brady 
  • Yelp 

collage of a building and faculty member talking to students

Hands-on learning for career success

While you’re here at Marquette, preparing you for what’s next will be one of our top priorities. So, expect lots of learning by doing, connecting with others who share your passions, and reflecting on how you can Be The Difference.   

 

Internships and experience

You’ll find many opportunities to gain experience beyond the classroom, including writing internships and faculty and alumni mentoring. Plus, if you’re a creative writer, you’ll be able to take a shot at contributing to the Marquette Literary Review. 

Here are some of the areas in which our students have interned: 

  • Advertising/marketing 
  • Arts and entertainment 
  • Business writing 
  • Health care 
  • Journalism 
  • Law 
  • Nonprofits 
  • Politics/government 
  • Publishing 
  • Technical writing 

Explore our internship experiences.

Undergraduate research

Here, you'll have the opportunity to work on your own research projects under the guidance of your faculty mentor. And you can present your findings at regional or national conferences.  

Here are some of the topics recent graduates have explored: 

  • Value of the humanities 
  • Rabbits and tricksters in American and British children's literature 
  • Connections between Milwaukee, murals and community engagement 

You can also discover research opportunities through some of the College of Arts and Sciences’ centers and institutes, such as the Center for the Advancement of the Humanities; Center for Peacemaking; Center for Urban Research, Teaching and Outreach; and The Les Aspin Center for Government. 

Learn more about English research at Marquette. 

Leadership learning

Become a people-centered leader guided by our Jesuit tradition. Join our E-Lead program sophomore year and you’ll complete a combination of leadership courses and experiences that prepare you to be the driver of innovation for the common good. You’ll develop the skill set to generate innovative solutions and the mindset to reflect on the impact your work has on the world. Bonus: You’ll graduate with a concentration in leadership, too. 

Explore our E-Lead program. 

Study abroad

Expand your English education with a semester abroad. Study program course work at prestigious universities around the world. Other international opportunities are available for you through core courses, summer study, language study, faculty-led programs or research. 

Check out our study abroad programs.

 

What to expect from a Marquette degree

A Marquette education equips students to thrive professionally and personally through overall student support, career preparation and an extended family that can't wait to meet you. But don't just take our word for it. 

#6

#6 Best College in Job Placement /#1 in Wisconsin

Zippia.com

#55

#55 in Student Outcomes

Wall Street Journal

#12

#12 Best Colleges for Internships

The Princeton Review (private universities)

Aerial of campus
 

Take the next step.