As an English student, you'll develop the skills, knowledge and the conscience of the next generation of leaders, and will shape the future of the world.

You'll learn to:

  • think, read, and write critically and creatively
  • explore creative work in literature, theater, film, and the visual arts
  • understand and appreciate diverse voices in our cultural conversations
  • communicate ethically and respectfully to a wide variety of audiences and in a wide variety of genres

You'll enjoy:

  • A blend of traditional and contemporary approaches to literature
  • A distinguished and award-winning faculty
  • A state-of-the-art Writing Center
  • Degree programs for Undergraduates (B.A.) and Graduates (M.A. and Ph.D.)
  • A major and minor program in Theater Arts
  • Numerous student opportunities to study abroad, take off-site classes, get involved with on-campus publications, and more!
  • A minor in creative writing, an English major with a writing concentration, and creative writing opportunities
  • A number of creative writing courses which fill departmental theme areas

Program Tracks

M.A. in English

  • Tracks in English or Literature & Writing

Student Clubs & Organizations

As Duquesne University's journal of arts and literature, :Lexicon is a student-run publication built to celebrate and encourage the arts and artists of Duquesne. Through publishing the poetry, prose, drama, music, and visual art of Duquesne faculty, students, and alumni, :Lexicon promotes the arts through quality publications that showcase the vibrant spirit and talent of the extended Duquesne community.

Explore :Lexicon

Dedicated to the idea that one of the best ways to understand drama is through performance, the Duquesne University Medieval and Renaissance Players stage medieval and Renaissance drama, particularly at conferences and other scholarly gatherings.

The purpose of the Duquesne Medieval and Renaissance Players is to stage productions of Medieval and Renaissance drama as a means of research to better understand how Medieval and Renaissance drama function within a larger social context. In this effort, we join an international interest in the reconstruction and understanding of early dramas. 

Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, was established in 1924 to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.

Candidates for undergraduate membership must have completed at least 3 semesters of college work and a minimum of 2 college courses in English language or literature. They must also have a minimum of a B grade point average in English, and rank at least in the highest 35 percent of their class in general scholarship.

Explore Sigma Tau Delta Nationals
The Duquesne University yearbook, L'Esprit du Duc, is produced yearly by a team of student editors. The yearbook is always looking for volunteers to work with the editors as they photograph campus events, create page layouts using Jostens, and write/edit text. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to apprentice with an editor and then seek one of those compensated positions the following year.

Study Abroad

Semester-Long Opportunities
Our faculty regularly offer English classes to students studying in
 Rome, and many English classes at University College Dublin transfer in for credit toward the major or minor. Recent classes offered in Rome include "The Writer's Sketchbook: Creative Writing and Sketching in Rome" and "Food, Hunger, and Ethics in Contemporary Literature."

Spring Breakaway
If you have thought about studying abroad but are not sure that you would want to do a full semester, you might be interested in a Spring Break Away class! These classes combine classroom instruction with a spring break excursion. Recent trips have taken students to London, Paris, and Canada.

We also offer Maymesters, during which students earn 6 credits over four weeks.


Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Greg Barnhisel

Dr. Greg Barnhisel

Professor, English & Theater Arts

Dr. Faith Barrett

Dr. Faith Barrett

Associate Professor, English

Dr. Laura Engel

Dr. Laura Engel

Professor, English

John Fried

John Fried

Associate Professor, English

Dr. Kathy Glass

Dr. Kathy Glass

Professor, English

Dr. Susan Howard

Dr. Susan Howard

Associate Professor, English

Dr. Linda Kinnahan

Dr. Linda Kinnahan

Professor, English

Dr. Kristin Klucevsek

Dr. Kristin Klucevsek

Teaching Associate Professor of Scientific Writing

Dr. Stuart Kurland

Dr. Stuart Kurland

Associate Professor, English

John Lane

John Lane

Associate Professor, Theater Arts

Rebecca Maatta

Rebecca Maatta

Teaching Associate Professor, English

Dr. Emad Mirmotahari

Dr. Emad Mirmotahari

Associate Professor, English

Dr. Jim Purdy

Dr. Jim Purdy

Associate Professor, English & University Writing Center Director

Dr. Erin Speese

Dr. Erin Speese

Associate Professor, English

Dr. Danielle St. Hilaire

Dr. Danielle St. Hilaire

Department Chair & Associate Professor, Department of English & Theater Arts

Dr. Judy Suh

Dr. Judy Suh

Associate Professor, English

Dr. Matthew Ussia

Dr. Matthew Ussia

Director of First Year Writing and Teaching Associate Professor, English

Dr. Sarah Wright

Dr. Sarah Wright

Associate Professor, English

Department contacts

Dr. Danielle A. St. Hilaire

Associate Professor and English Department Chair

John Fried

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Sarah Wright

Director of Graduate Studies

Dr. Matthew Ussia

Director of First Year Writing