English

Our English department helps you turn a passion for literature into preparation for your next step. Whether you are interested in traditional course offerings such as Milton or Shakespeare, taught by the College’s President, or in fiction writing workshops taught by a published novelist, our wide variety of classes offers something for every literature lover. You’ll get a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking – skills that nearly 80% of employers report they are seeking!

A concentration in creative writing enhances your writing skills, whether working on a popular blog or a published poem. Many students participate in writing workshops across genres such as fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Our professors, experienced poets, novelists, and prose writers, provide both artistic mentorship and knowledge of the publishing industry. Creative writing students have gone on to become creative directors at magazines, marketing directors at corporations, college professors, editors, and, of course, published writers.

Program Requirements

Degree Options

Major: 36 Total Credit Hours
Concentration: Creative Writing
Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Minor: 18 Total Credit Hours

Careers

Student Testimonials

“I use my degree in my current job, where I write, proofread emails, and answer grammar questions. I have met some of my best friends and mentors through the English program, and some of my best memories have been of being around other English majors and my professors.” — Kate Doctor ‘16

“It took something I liked — reading — and gave me more things to read, more ways to enjoy it, and an understanding of what makes this thing I like so enjoyable. It took reading and brought it to life.” — Angela Nienaber ’16

“My English classes prepared me to talk about and learn about ANYTHING, which is a great thing for someone now working in a quickly evolving field.” — Gina Putthoff ‘05

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Join Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. The GC Eta Alpha chapter is one of the founding chapters of Sigma Tau Delta and a tradition at Georgetown that is more than 100 years old. Chapter members present work at the Sigma Tau Delta national convention and help produce Inscape, the yearly magazine of student writing. Students can include a minor in publishing and editing with an English major.

Faculty & Contact

Connect with the faculty who teach and mentor English students.

Rosemary-Allen

Rosemary A. Allen

President / Professor of English

B.A., Hillsdale College
M.A., Vanderbilt University
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
HollyBarbaccia

Holly Barbaccia

Professor of English

B.A., College of William and Mary
M.A., University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
BarbaraBurch_Sp2026_3

Barbara J. Burch

Professor of English

B.A., M.A., University of Kentucky, Phi Beta Kappa
Ph.D., University of Michigan
SteveCarter

Steven Carter

Professor of English

A.A., Hiwassee Junior College
B.A., Tusculum College
M.A., University of Southern Mississippi
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi
CarrieCook

Carrie Cook

Professor of English

B.A., Kentucky State University
M.A., Eastern Kentucky University
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Related Programs

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