Political Science Minor
Advantages
Develop your understanding of politics and power from domestic, international, and comparative perspectives and learn how to legally solve confrontations.
Outcome
Speechwriter
Undergraduate Major
English Major (BA)
With an English degree, you'll develop critical communication skills as you explore texts from ancient to modern times and discover the rich diversity of human experience through writing.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Major
4+1 Bachelor's + Master's
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the English Major
English is the study of life in its diverse written forms and expressions. You'll engage with new cultures, ideas, and perspectives daily when you major in English.
Small, discussion-based classes form the core of your studies. From The Odyssey to contemporary fiction, you'll explore classic and alternative canons as you hone critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills. You'll craft scholarly essays, oral presentations, video essays, and more to share your literary passions with your peers.
You'll also put creative knowledge to work through independent research projects, participation in on-campus publications, civic engagement opportunities, and professional networking events. Widener is home to a vibrant literary arts scene, and with Philadelphia at our doorstep and visiting writers always stopping by, your artistic community will grow as you do.
When you graduate, you'll hold a marketable skill set, unique creative approaches, and the developed empathy necessary for a meaningful career and personal fulfillment.
English Major Program Options
The English major is highly customizable and with new courses added every semester—on topics like graphic novels, literature of the immigrant experience, and more—you'll always be discovering new authors and artists.
After foundational courses in British and American literature, you'll work with your advisor to choose electives that spark your interest. With a range of unique program options and ways to take your degree further, the English major is a great choice for a wide range of career goals and personal passions.
Loading... requirements for the English major.
Digital humanities is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that seeks to apply humanistic reasoning and research to important questions related to technology, such as social sustainability, big data, and privacy. Work in digital humanities includes public humanities, data mining/visualization, web design, textual analysis, educational technology, and ethics and technology.
View curriculum and coursework requirements for the digital humanities specialization.
In the 12-credit textual scholarship certificate program, you'll investigate books and other archival material as historical artifacts, examining how editorial theory and the material and economic realities of literary production impact the creation of a piece of writing.
The program includes hands-on work with rare books and archival material, experience in coding for digital editing, and the opportunity to cultivate a personal scholarly or editorial project.
View curriculum and coursework requirements for the textual scholarship certificate.
Prepare for a rewarding career as a middle or high school English teacher with a secondary certification in English. You'll take courses from Widener's Center for Education on topics including classroom management and collaboration and inclusion, then put them to work in student teaching experiences.
With mentorship from supportive faculty and encouragement from your peers, you'll graduate prepared to pursue secondary education certification teaching English.
View the Loading... requirements for the English secondary education certification.
As an English major, you can easily pursue a second major. Here are a few natural pairings that compliment an English degree.
English and Communication Studies
Interested in careers in multimedia journalism, advertising & public relations, screenwriting, and more? A double major in English and communications shows employers you have the linguistic and technical skills to enhance any campaign, project, or script.
English and Creative Writing
A natural combination for up-and-coming writers, Widener's English and creative writing dual degree will introduce you to vast historical and contemporary literature that will inform and inspire your own writing.
The strong writing background an English major provides is excellent preparation for law school. If you're considering that career path, the pre-professional pathway in law will help you take the first steps. With academic and extracurricular programs, professional advising, LSAT preparation, and special admissions programs to our ABA-approved Delaware Law and Widener Law Commonwealth, you'll be prepared for success in law school and beyond.
Students with a high level of academic potential may be eligible for the “3 + 3” program with a Widener law school where you can earn a bachelor's degree in English and a juris doctor degree in just six years.
Take Your English Degree Further
Gain an edge on your career by receiving your bachelor’s and master’s degree in only five years. Through a unique partnership with Rosemont College, English and creative writing majors can get a jump start on their graduate degree in the fields of creative writing or publishing.
To participate, you can apply for admission to Rosemont after you have completed your sophomore year at Widener. Students with a 3.0 GPA are guaranteed an interview for admission. If admitted, you will then take graduate courses at Rosemont during your junior and senior year at no additional cost. Those who are admitted to the accelerated program and meet the academic requirements will receive a tuition discount on the graduate tuition while completing master’s degree coursework at Rosemont.
For more details, please contact Professor Michael Cocchiarale at mfcocchiarale@widener.edu.
At Widener, you can earn a bachelor's and a master's degree with only one additional year of study—regardless of your chosen major. Through our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you'll earn your bachelor's of choice and choose from a range of master's degrees that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth—all while saving you time and money.
It's never too early to get real-world work experience to set you apart from the crowd and dive deeper into your discipline! Worried about scoring a paid internship? Worry, no more! Widener's Experience MORE! program can help bridge the gap between unpaid or underpaid experiences.
After perfecting your résumé and cover letter with the help of Widener’s Career Design & Development team, you'll work to score an internship and apply for the Experience MORE! program to get the financial support you need to pursue the internship of your dreams. If selected as an awardee, you will receive a grant to subsidize your internship work.
Pair Your English Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for English Majors
Why Study English at Widener?
Grow Your Literary Network
Widener's literary arts scene is bustling with activity and opportunity. Learn firsthand how literary publications operate when you get involved on the staff of journals like Widener Ink, The Blue Route, or the Q&A Queer Zine. Working closely with faculty and peers, you'll enhance your editorial judgment and gain a second family in your staff.
Other artistic organizations and honor societies allow you the chance to meet new people and nourish your passions outside of the classroom.
Learn Beyond the Classroom
An education in English is an immersion in the lives and expressions of others. You'll have plenty of chances to experience new perspectives through our visiting writer/editor series, which brings talent like Aimee Nezhukumatathil and George Saunders right to campus. Plus with Philadelphia at our doorstep and opportunities to attend conferences like the Association of Writers & Writing Programs conference in cities across the country, there's no telling where an English major will take you.
Whether completing a praxis course at Philadelphia Stories magazine, leading a workshop at the Chester Writers House, or studying abroad, you'll constantly be growing your skills as you grow your literary community.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing
Student Stories
Our Faculty
"One thing that attracted me to the fields that I teach is their interdisciplinary nature--studying literature involves understanding history, psychology and gender, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies engages with race, class, politics, and literature, and it's impossible to study human sexuality without also studying religion, sociology, ethics, and psychology."
"My teaching focuses on fostering the development of creativity, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking skills; creating a culture of scholarship that students will carry beyond the university; and encouraging students to consider their roles in their communities and to join these communities in meaningful ways."
I encourage students to see writing and reading as ways of making connections: connecting with a community, connecting with other texts, and connecting with the self.
"Inside or outside the classroom, I’m keen to hear what students think. I love advising students on our literary magazines and preparing them for national conferences, where they can shine as leaders in their field. Their enthusiasm—their understanding of the vital importance of a liberal education—forever energizes me."
Recent News
How We Spent our Summer Vacation
Partnering with faculty advisors, more than 60 students participated in the annual Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (SURCA) program, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life, hands-on projects.
Building Skills and Connections: The Value of Student-Workers on Campus
At Widener, students are engaged across campus in various on-campus jobs that enhance professional development and create a sense of community beyond their classroom experience.
Meet the Widener Students and Faculty Launching a National Queer Zine
Widener’s first LGBTQ+ zine is providing a safe space for queer artists around the country
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
When to Apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
- October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)
- November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin
What to Expect After Applying
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
- Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
- Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
- Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
- Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
95% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
English & Creative Writing Department
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Kapelski Learning Center, Room 331
- 610-499-4601
- mfcocchiarale@widener.edu
Michael Cocchiarale
Chair of English and Creative Writing
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Kapelski Learning Center
Room 330 - (610) 499-4601
- mfcocchiarale@widener.edu