English is about more than books. It's about bringing words to life.
The Department of English and Journalism prepares graduates who are passionate about writing stories, reading literature, and/or teaching English with a rich, diverse understanding of the world. You’ll be challenged to discern what it means to be a Christian reader and writer in a world searching for strong, wise voices.
Majors, Minors, and Programs
| Communication Arts and Literature 5-12 | Major | ||
| Creative Writing Minor | Minor | ||
| English Literature | Major | Minor | |
| English Literature and Writing | Major | ||
| Film Studies Minor | Minor | ||
| Journalism | Major | Minor |
Recent News
Why We Teach
September 06, 2018 | 2 p.m.
Amanda McKnight '08, Award-winning Investigative Journalist
July 24, 2018 | Noon
Student Poets Reflect on Loss
June 19, 2018 | 10:30 a.m.
Amy Herman-Roloff ’01 Follows Her Calling as Director of CDC South Africa
May 30, 2018 | 10:30 a.m.
Upcoming Events
SEPT 25 2018
David Brooks: The Road to Character
7 p.m. Benson Great Hall
When civil discourse seems elusive, hearing stories of women and men of character who can bridge divides can build hope.
An English and Journalism Program That Goes Beyond the Classroom
We know that preparing for a career is more than sitting in a classroom. Your dynamic education involves experienced faculty, study abroad options, in-house publications, and internship opportunities—all offered within a Christian learning environment. Here, we're bringing the beauty of literature and the craft of writing to life by using the study of literature, writing, and journalism to learn about the world around us. We experience the stories, traditions, and diversity of the world firsthand to grow in our understanding of others and ourselves.
100
hours spent by each student in classrooms before student teaching
20+
students attend professional conferences annually
Program Highlights
Faculty mentors
Build one-on-one relationships with professors who partner with and get to know you individually. You'll benefit from regular contact with an assigned faculty advisor who has expertise in our department-offered programs and will encourage you to pursue your professional goals and calling. Later in your academic career, you may be selected as teaching assistant (TA), which will give you further opportunities to work closely with a professor and explore what it means to work in literary academia.
Relevant teaching
Study literature from a variety of theoretical perspectives—giving you the opportunity to synthesize your knowledge and develop a rich interpretation of the written word. You'll also learn about the process of news-gathering, editing, and publishing by working with professionals in our Johnson Center for Journalism and Communication. Our faculty members are practicing, published writers and experienced storytellers with a passion for providing valuable insights and feedback on your work.
Practical opportunities
Hone your writing skills and gain enriching, unforgettable experiences in the literary world through our award-winning student newspaper, literary journal, award-winning Textura magazine project, journalism center, and by attending off-campus national conferences and engaging with the vibrant Twin Cities literary culture. Outstanding Christian authors and journalists frequent our campus for hands-on workshops and speaking engagements.
Hands-on learning
Literature students attend performances at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis as well as at smaller venues throughout the Twin Cities before performing their own scenes in class; journalism and education students partner with fourth- and fifth-graders at Maxfield elementary school in St. Paul to create the Maxfield Times; and writing students create and produce the Coeval literary journal in the class Publishing and Being Published.
Study abroad
Engage students, writers, and readers around the world through the department-led studying abroad semester England Term, or in J-Term classes like Travel Writing, and the photojournalistic Textura project. You may also explore off-campus programs in New York City and Los Angeles.
Real-world experience
Journalism students write news and feature stories for area community newspapers. Funded summer internships are available for outstanding students at places like the Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Kansas City Star, Christianity Today, and the Miami Herald. English Literature and Writing students also learn the ropes interning with Redleaf Press, Believers Press, Bethany House Publishers, Coffee House Press, and more.
Versatile career preparation
What can you do with your English major? The answers are endless. But we’re most proud that our students are equipped to perceive, collaborate, and succeed in whatever they choose to do.
Christian worldview
We strive to integrate faith and learning by approaching our study through the eyes of faith. Your rich interaction with literature and writing, taught by outstanding Christian professors, will fuel your growth as a Christian and a scholar.
Literature changed who I was, allowed me to look at the world in a new way, to become a more curious person. Faith-learning integration at Bethel helped prepare me to link my faith with my work.
Amy Williams '07Current job: Major Gifts Officer at Ecumen
For me, journalism meant becoming a reporter, but God brought me into ministry. I quickly learned that good writing transcends vocation. Creative storytelling is key anywhere. Studying journalism helped me find my voice and bring good writing to any calling.
Monique Kleinhuizen '08 GS'16Current job: Communications Strategist at Bethel University
We had numerous opportunities to practice journalism in classroom and professional settings, and we didn't just learn it as a craft. We studied the role of journalism as an institution, which I find very beneficial in today's media environment.
Jared Nelson '16Current job: Communications Manager, PrepHoops.com
What can I do with an English degree?
English students prepare for professional careers in a variety of industries and graduate programs ranging from education to journalism to ministry.
Careers
Our graduates work as:
- Middle school, high school, and college teachers around the world
- Development specialists
- Public affairs specialists
- Communications specialists
- Publicists
- Ministers
- Media center directors
- Web developers
- Lawyers
- Communications developers and consultants
- Editors at magazines and publishing houses
- Writers/authors
- Newspaper reporters
- Sports information directors
- Bloggers
- Entrepreneurs
Graduate Schools
Our alumni have attended:
- University of Chicago
- Baylor University
- University of California-Berkeley
- Northwestern University
- Purdue University
- Arizona State University
- Sarah Lawrence College
- Hamline University
- George Washington University
- University of Minnesota
- Princeton Seminary
- Columbia University
- Miami University of Ohio
Graduate Fields
Our alumni study:
- Law
- Journalism
- Education
- Marketing
- Corporate and nonprofit communications
- Publishing and editing
- Ministry
- Sports information
- Public affairs/policy
- Consulting
