English

The major and minor in English at Duquesne University provides an outstanding education in the liberal arts. Literary study, composition, and research skills are the bedrock of academic and professional excellence. As a student in our program, you will have plenty of flexibility to cater your program to your specific interests.

The English major provides a strong foundation for a successful career and a future as a life-long learner. Business, government, and nonprofits prize individuals who can think critically, write clearly, and engage with complex ideas, and English majors have all of those skills. The Duquesne English major also instills a strong work ethic, creativity, empathy, curiosity, and an appreciation for the importance of service.

 

Program Type

Major, Minor

Degree

Bachelor's

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

36

Literary Studies Program Requirements

English, Literary Studies Major

  • 9 credit hours of 200 or 300-level English Survey Courses
  • ENGL 300W Critical Issues in Literary Studies
400-level courses that fulfill the following distribution requirements
  • Pre-1700
  • 1700-1900
  • Post-1900
  • Diversity
9 credits of English credits, no more than 6 credits at the 100-level.

Writing Program Requirements

English, Writing Major

  • 9 credit hours of 200 or 300-level English Survey Courses
  • ENGL 300W Critical Issues in Literary Studies
9 credit hours of 300 or 400-level Writing courses in at least TWO genres. Genres include:
  • Critical or Professional
  • Fiction
  • Playwriting
  • Poetry
  • Screenwriting

3 credit hours of a 400-level Writing course in the following genres:
  • Creative
  • Critical 
  • Professional
6 credit hours of 400-level English courses
Six additional elective credits in ENGL.

Interested in English Education?

Students pursuing a dual degree in English and Education complete a 51-credit program and will earn a concentration in both Literary Studies and Writing.

This dual degree program requires that students complete the McAnulty College Core Curriculum and 36 credits in English; The 15 credit hours in writing are not required in this program.

A male and female student writing on a white board.

Expand Your Horizons

English Education Program Requirements

English & Education

Explore Secondary Education
  • ENGL 300W Critical Issues in Literary Studies
  • 9 credit hours of 300-level English Survey courses
Literary Studies: 
  • 5 courses at the 400-level in the following areas:
    • Pre-1700
    • 1700-1900
    • Post-1900
    • Diversity
Writing:
  • 5 courses at the 300 or 400-level in two genres
Within these electives, students must incorporate:
  • ENGL 433 History and Structure of the English Language
  • A course in World Literature beyond the 100 level 
  • A course in Film and Media Studies

Minor in English (15 credits)

Course requirements for the minor in English include:
  • ENGL 300W Critical Issues in Literary Study (3 credits)
  • One 400-level literature course (3 credits)
  • Three elective English courses (9 credits)