English
English students develop flexible thinking, creativity, and empathy, alongside adaptable skills in reading, writing, literary analysis, research, and presentation, all highly valued in the current job market and essential for global citizenship.
Careers in English
The department equips students for careers in teaching, writing, publishing, editing, and various fields like business, government, and law. Studying English also builds critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving—skills valued across industries.
- Writer/Editor
- Teacher
- Professor
- Paraprofessional
- Program Director
- Administrator/Coordinator
Potential Salary
Median Salary $72,270
English Degrees at MSU
Communication Arts and Literature Education, Bachelor of Science
Students are prepared to teach English and Speech/Communication in grades 5-12. Students complete courses from English, Communication Studies, and Education on lesson, course, and program preparation.
English Studies, Bachelor of Arts
The English Studies BA offers a comprehensive foundation across various subfields, while fostering flexible thinking, creativity, and empathy. It equips students with adaptable skills in reading, writing, analysis, and research, preparing them for careers in education, publishing, marketing, law, and administration.
Literature, Bachelor of Arts
The Literature BA provides a robust background in British, American, and world literatures, with emphasis placed on critical thinking and written communication. This degree program equips students with the flexible skills and empathy valued in careers such as education, publishing, marketing, law, and administration.
English Literature, Minor
The English Literature minor provides students with a foundation in British, American, and global literatures and aims to teach critical thinking, cultural competency, and advanced written communication.
English Writing Studies, Minor
Enhance your writing skills with the English Writing Studies Minor, focusing on advanced writing, grammar, and creative workshops.
Environmental Humanities, Minor
The Environmental Humanities minor engages in cross-disciplinary conversations about the environment by combining classes in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It encourages students to explore ethical, social, cultural, and artistic responses to environmental issues.
Linguistics, Minor
The Linguistics Minor provides a scientific study of human language, exploring its structure, social use, acquisition, and evolution, preparing students for careers in teaching, journalism, publishing, literature, and various computer-mediated language applications.
Communication and Composition, Master of Science
The Master of Science in Communication and Composition is a multi-disciplinary program aimed at preparing individuals to teach communication and composition at community and technical colleges, meeting most states' requirement of 18 in-discipline credit hours.
English Education, Master of Arts (online)
The English Education Master of Arts degree, earned online, allows secondary English teachers to deepen their understanding of English and expand their expertise in other areas. Applicants must hold a teaching license in English or be employed teaching English at a high school or community college.
Literature, Master of Arts (online)
This online degree offers a robust foundation in British, American, and world literatures, including theory and specialized courses, preparing students for teaching at technical and community colleges, doctoral studies in English, and careers in the literary field.
Literature and Composition, Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Literature and Composition is an interdisciplinary degree designed for those with an interest in teaching in both areas at colleges and universities.
Literature, Graduate Certificate
The graduate certificate provides students with a foundation in British, American, and world literatures, and elective coursework in theory and more specialized author, period, and genre courses. The program enables students to meet HLC requirements for post-secondary teachers regarding graduate work in areas of instructional content.
Teaching Writing, Graduate Certificate
This certificate enables current and prospective teachers (Grade 5-College) to develop expertise in teaching writing. Students will gain theoretical, practical, and experiential knowledge about the teaching of writing that will strengthen their confidence and understanding as writing teachers.
Communication Arts and Literature Education, Bachelor of Science
Students are prepared to teach English and Speech/Communication in grades 5-12. Students complete courses from English, Communication Studies, and Education on lesson, course, and program preparation.
English Studies, Bachelor of Arts
The English Studies BA offers a comprehensive foundation across various subfields, while fostering flexible thinking, creativity, and empathy. It equips students with adaptable skills in reading, writing, analysis, and research, preparing them for careers in education, publishing, marketing, law, and administration.
Literature, Bachelor of Arts
The Literature BA provides a robust background in British, American, and world literatures, with emphasis placed on critical thinking and written communication. This degree program equips students with the flexible skills and empathy valued in careers such as education, publishing, marketing, law, and administration.
English Literature, Minor
The English Literature minor provides students with a foundation in British, American, and global literatures and aims to teach critical thinking, cultural competency, and advanced written communication.
English Writing Studies, Minor
Enhance your writing skills with the English Writing Studies Minor, focusing on advanced writing, grammar, and creative workshops.
Environmental Humanities, Minor
The Environmental Humanities minor engages in cross-disciplinary conversations about the environment by combining classes in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It encourages students to explore ethical, social, cultural, and artistic responses to environmental issues.
Linguistics, Minor
The Linguistics Minor provides a scientific study of human language, exploring its structure, social use, acquisition, and evolution, preparing students for careers in teaching, journalism, publishing, literature, and various computer-mediated language applications.
Communication and Composition, Master of Science
The Master of Science in Communication and Composition is a multi-disciplinary program aimed at preparing individuals to teach communication and composition at community and technical colleges, meeting most states' requirement of 18 in-discipline credit hours.
English Education, Master of Arts (online)
The English Education Master of Arts degree, earned online, allows secondary English teachers to deepen their understanding of English and expand their expertise in other areas. Applicants must hold a teaching license in English or be employed teaching English at a high school or community college.
Literature, Master of Arts (online)
This online degree offers a robust foundation in British, American, and world literatures, including theory and specialized courses, preparing students for teaching at technical and community colleges, doctoral studies in English, and careers in the literary field.
Literature and Composition, Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Literature and Composition is an interdisciplinary degree designed for those with an interest in teaching in both areas at colleges and universities.
Literature, Graduate Certificate
The graduate certificate provides students with a foundation in British, American, and world literatures, and elective coursework in theory and more specialized author, period, and genre courses. The program enables students to meet HLC requirements for post-secondary teachers regarding graduate work in areas of instructional content.
Teaching Writing, Graduate Certificate
This certificate enables current and prospective teachers (Grade 5-College) to develop expertise in teaching writing. Students will gain theoretical, practical, and experiential knowledge about the teaching of writing that will strengthen their confidence and understanding as writing teachers.
Learn More
English Honor Society
Sigma Tau Delta, English Honor Society: Sigma Tau Delta's primary purpose is to honor students excelling in English language and literature across undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.
Graduate Scholars of English Association
The Minnesota State University, Mankato Graduate Scholars of English Association (GSEA) is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) that aims to unify graduate English students across all programs. As an organization for and by graduate students, GSEA’s primary goals are to represent the diverse array of online and in-person English graduate students and to cultivate an inclusive and engaged graduate student culture within the department.
Related Programs
Technical Communication
Our Technical Communication classes will teach you to communicate ideas and information effectively. We typically study how people communicate in a professional environment and focus on making documents that are clear, concise, accurate, thorough, and easy for the audience to use. Courses cover user experience, usability, content strategy, and instructional design, ensuring your work is accurate, thorough, and easy to use.
Humanities
The Humanities Program examines common issues, ideas, and themes that run throughout different cultures and throughout human history. Students will study the roles of human expression in shaping how individuals and cultures understand their connections to each other and to the world.
Creative Writing
The Creative Writing program allows students to develop their storytelling skills, enhance their imagination and express their unique voice while exploring various genres and receiving constructive feedback.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Our TESOL Program trains students to teach English learners in a variety of contexts, including higher education, K-12, and abroad. The program also prepares students for careers in non-teaching areas, such as language program administration, curriculum and assessment development, and support services.
English Department
College of
Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is an inclusive community of diverse learners seeking to examine, engage with and transform the social world while nurturing creativity and innovation. Our programs build a foundation of knowledge that adapts to a constantly changing society.
Learn More About the College of Humanities and Social Sciences