ENGLISH MAJOR
at Meredith College
If you want to feed your imagination and prepare for a successful career, an English degree from Meredith College is an excellent option. English majors engage with the world’s greatest literature and hone the critical thinking and writing skills that employers value.
Our English Degree Program
As an English major at Meredith, you’ll have opportunities to immerse yourself in literature and gain real-world experience through internships and student organizations. Thanks to Meredith’s core liberal arts education, you will be ready for various fields and career paths.
You will be prepared to read attentively, think critically and creatively, and communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Through close study of written texts and other media, you’ll encounter diverse voices in language and literature to understand the complexity of human values and perspectives.
At Meredith, you can earn a major or minor in English, a minor in creative writing, a minor in professional writing and presentation media, or add a Teacher Licensure to teach in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings.
English Major
Students earning a major in English are required to complete 37- 40 total credit hours, which include 15 hours of required English classes.
English Minor
Students earning a minor in English must take 18 hours of English courses beyond ENG-111, at least 9 of which must be in courses at the 300 or 400 level.
Creative Writing Minor
Students earning a minor in creative writing are required to complete 18 credit hours, which include three hours of required courses, six hours of genre courses, six hours of writing workshops, and three hours of pre-professional courses.
Professional Writing and Presentation Media Minor
Students earning a professional writing and presentation media minor are required to complete 18 credit hours, which include three hours of required courses, three hours of visual principles and practice courses, six hours of writing electives, and six hours of general electives.
Teaching Licensure
Students wishing to pursue teaching licensure must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program to enroll.
Learn more about Meredith’s education licensure programs.
Learn more about Meredith’s teacher education program.
Why Get Your English Degree From Meredith?
- Pursuing an English degree at Meredith prepares students for a wide range of careers through internships, student organizations, and a diverse liberal arts curriculum.
- Students earning a degree in English are eligible to seek North Carolina teacher licensure for English/Language Arts for middle grades (6-9) or secondary education (9-12).
- English majors are encouraged to supplement their coursework with experience on the job. Meredith English students have worked as interns at a variety of locations, including
- NC Center for Public Policy Research
- NC Museum of Art
- NC Museum of History
- NCSU Literacy Program
- WRAL
- Meredith’s English major offers 11 scholarships the department awards for excellence and potential in academic achievement, creativity, leadership, and character.
- English majors have the opportunity to be a part of student-run publications, including
- The Meredith Herald, the weekly newspaper
- The Colton Review, an award-winning arts and literary journal
- The Oak Leaves, the College yearbook
- Student organizations available for English majors include
- The Colton English Club
- Sigma Tau Delta
- Examples of student success include Alexandra Rouch, ’20, who built lasting connections with faculty and other students. Working on The Colton Review was a formative experience that led to her current career in publishing. She now works as an Editorial Team Lead at Oxford University Press.
What Can You Do With An English Degree?
An English degree prepares students for various career fields, such as business, libraries, museums, journalism, professional and technical writing, public relations, editing, and education. Students of Meredith’s English program are well-prepared to further their education in graduate school at prestigious universities.
Careers
- Potential jobs for graduates with an English degree: editor, elementary, middle, or high school teacher, journalist, public relations specialist, technical writer, author, college instructor or professor, librarian, and more.
- Professional positions held by Meredith graduates include
- Technical Writers at IBM, Red Hat
- Editors at Duke University Press, Oxford University Press
- Assistant Marketing Director, North Carolina Museum of Art
- Children’s Services Specialist, West Asheville Library
- English Teacher (Meredith has a 100% placement record in this program)
The median annual salary for those with an English degree is $51k.
Graduate School
Ph.D. programs attended by Meredith graduates
- Ph.D. in English, Columbia University
- Ph.D. in English, Duke University
- Ph.D. in English, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Ph.D. in Philosophy, DePaul University
Master’s Degree Programs attended by Meredith graduates
- M.A. in English, University of Virginia
- M.A. in English, N.C. State University
- M.A. in English, George Mason University
- M.S. in Library Science, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Master of Divinity, Duke University
Professional Programs
Law Schools attended by Meredith graduates
- William and Mary Law School
- Pepperdine University School of Law
- Campbell University Law School
Meredith provided a supportive environment for Cady Stanley, ’25, to grow as a writer, thinker, and dancer. From studying abroad to producing the Colton Review, Stanley developed several skills that will serve her beyond college.
English major Hannah Flood, ’20, built strong connections at Meredith through an internship, studying abroad, and campus traditions.
After graduating from Meredith, Fulbright scholar, Delaney Rhodes, ʼ20, plans to take the knowledge and insights she has gained at Meredith to South Korea, where she will teach English.
Videos About Meredith’s English Degree
English News and Events
Professor Emerita Betty Webb, ’67, received the Meredith College 2025 Woman of Achievement Award during a special event on April 28, 2025. She was interviewed during the event by Vice President for College Programs and Professor of English Jean Jackson, ’75.
The Meredith College Documentary Film Festival will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Kresge Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
Heather Frese, adjunct professor of English, will launch her sophomore novel, The Saddest Girl on the Beach, on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at Quail Ridge Books. During the event, Frese will be in conversation with author Jill McCorkle.
Contact Information
Robin Colby
Head, English Department
116 Lux Hall
(919) 760-2290
colbyr@meredith.edu
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