English: Creative Writing, Education, Journalism & Literature (B.A.)
Write Your Own Story
What makes fake news “fake?” How does literature teach us empathy? In a world dominated by apps and ebooks, how can you sell your words? What's the best way to take complex information and make it easy for anyone to understand? As a Seton Hill University English Program graduate you will know the answers to questions like these. You'll also be able to make a fulfilling career out of what you enjoy most.
Program Highlights
- Write what you read! Seton Hill offers an emphasis on popular fiction, with courses in fiction, popular fiction, creative writing and poetry. English majors can take advantage of special opportunities associated with the M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction.
- Learn to Teach English. At Seton Hill, you can prepare to become a certified English teacher at the secondary level while earning your English B.A.
- Write, Edit and Create Like a Professional Journalist. The skills needed to become a professional journalist are invaluable to content creators in all industries. When you specialize in journalism at Seton Hill, you’ll benefit from courses in News, Arts and Sports Writing; Magazine Writing and Editing; and Creative Content.
- Deepen Your Understanding of Great Works of Literature...while expanding your ability to comprehend complex issues. As an English major with a specialization in literature, you’ll read, discuss and write about classic and contemporary literary works, including those for young adults and children.
All English Majors Also Have the Opportunity to:
- Gain journalism experience by working on The Setonian, a student-run news source with both print and digital components.
- Learn what it's like to be an editor by working on Eye Contact, our campus literary magazine.
- Develop digital content creation skills.
- Join the English Club, or Seton Hill's chapter of the International English Honors society, Sigma Tau Delta - or both!
- Get together with other English majors and faculty for special events, like Pittsburgh literary lectures, poetry readings, novel and poetry writing groups, and guest speakers.
Careers: Where There Are Words, There Is Work
The words you're reading now? Someone enjoyed writing them - and got paid to do so. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects career opportunities for fields traditionally associated with graduates holding degrees in English (such as teaching, writing and library science) to have strong or accelerated growth in the years to come. A degree in English from Seton Hill will prepare you for careers in:
- Creative Writing
- Publishing
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Law
- Communications
- Marketing & Public Relations
- Library Science
To make sure that you're on track for a career after you graduate, you'll participate in yearly career workshops just for English majors that will take you through each step of the process: planning your university experience, preparing and applying for internships, and applying for the jobs of your dreams. Plus, Seton Hill’s award-winning Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) will work with you throughout your academic journey to provide you with the career preparation skills, internship opportunities and placement services you need to keep you moving up.
Faculty
Learn from people who practice what they preach! At Seton Hill, you'll enjoy learning from poets, novelists, literary critics and writers who publish in every genre: from urban fantasy to Irish literature, from the Southern kitchen to video games. We even have an award-winning horror poet on faculty.
Narrative 4: Using Storytelling to Change the World
Narrative 4 is a global, nonpartisan network of artists, educators and students that uses the power of personal stories to build empathy and spark collaborative change. Partnering with this global organization, Seton Hill's English Program integrates the Narrative 4 story exchange model into courses, workshops and special events throughout the University.
Admissions & Aid
At Seton Hill University, we offer streamlined admissions requirements and a comprehensive aid program.
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Faculty
Michael Arnzen
Professor of English
Christine Cusick
Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program
Dennis Jerz
Associate Professor of English -- New Media Journalism
Sarah Marsh
Associate Professor of English | Director of DE&I Curriculum Development in the Liberal Arts
Laura Patterson
Professor of English
Nicole Peeler
Associate Professor of English and Director of the Writing Popular Fiction Program
Kim Pennesi
Writing Center Director / Adjunct Faculty, First Year Writing
Madeleine Rosa
Adjunct Faculty
Albert Wendland
Professor of English
Emily Wierszewski
Associate Professor, English; Chair, English; Director, Undergraduate Writing Program