I can’t stress this enough: an English major provides you with the critical thinking and communication skills that are seriously valued in many fields. I have heard from several of my employers that my writing and research skills, creative problem-solving ability, and capacity for observing patterns and connecting those to ‘the bigger picture’ (learned through a lot of close reading in literature classes) made me a stand-out employee.
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Why Major in English?
Employers in all industries love to hire English majors. Why? Because they appreciate the fact that English majors know how to communicate effectively and think critically. Penn State Altoona English majors master these skills through courses in literature, writing, and rhetoric. By studying American, British, non-Anglo-American, and world literatures, you’ll learn how to synthesize and analyze information; formulate reasoned arguments and judgments; and develop perspectives on human nature, culture, and diversity. These skills prepare English majors for careers and postgraduate study in:
- business
- marketing
- education (K-12 and college-level teaching)
- law
- medicine
- creative writing
- social media management
- government
- nonprofit management
- publishing
- advertising
- professional and technical writing
- journalism
- various liberal arts disciplines
You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in career internships and in Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, and to learn from published faculty who have won University-wide teaching awards.
Request information about the English Major
Minors and Concentrations Within the Major
The English major offers two minors—the minor in English and the minor in Professional Writing—and three concentrations, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, and Global Narratives. The English minor will allow you to take any combination of literature and writing courses to hone your critical reading and analytical skills. The Professional Writing minor will prepare you to write effectively in the workplace and in academic settings. The Creative Writing concentration will hone your skills in both practical and creative forms by providing you with instruction and intensive practice in writing. The Technical Writing concentration is designed for students who enjoy writing, problem-solving, and engaging with technology. The Global Narratives concentration is designed for students who wish to expand their literary studies in English by exploring literatures and other narrative forms from a wide geographic and temporal scope.
Fall 2025 English Senior Seminar Presentations
Students enrolled in ENGL 487W recently offered senior seminar presentations for faculty and guests in the Mountain View room of Port-Sky Café.
The course was focused on speculative fiction. The class read works spanning from the Middle Ages to 2025, including Margery Kempe's Book, Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Herland, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, and Nick Medina's Sisters of the Lost Nation, among others.
The senior seminar is the capstone course for English majors at Penn State Altoona. The presentations serve as both a final piece of classwork and a celebration of their learning during their time at the college.
Hollie Keller, a double major and minor in English, Multidisciplinary Studies, Sociology, and Entrepreneurship, presents “‘Receive Your Body’: Margery Kempe as a Queer Clairvoyant.”
Hollie Keller, a double major and minor in English, Multidisciplinary Studies, Sociology, and Entrepreneurship presents “‘Receive Your Body’: Margery Kempe as a Queer Clairvoyant.”
The audience watching Hollie Keller’s presentation.
Myra Habbershon, an English major with a minor in Writing and Digital Media, presents “The Cost of Silence: Remembering, Repairing, and Reclaiming Identity in Song of Solomon.”
Myra Habbershon, an English major with a minor in Writing and Digital Media, presents “The Cost of Silence: Remembering, Repairing, and Reclaiming Identity in Song of Solomon.”
Paige McCusker, an English major with a Kinesiology minor, presents “‘I don’t make flowers anymore, and you have pissed your last in this house’: Labor in Song of Solomon and Sisters of the Lost Nation.”
Paige McCusker, an English major with a Kinesiology minor, presents “‘I don’t make flowers anymore, and you have pissed your last in this house’: Labor in Song of Solomon and Sisters of the Lost Nation.”
Abigail Auerbeck, an English major with a minor in Writing and Digital Media, presents, “Homosexual Panic in Frankenstein.”
Abigail Auerbeck, an English major with a minor in Writing and Digital Media, presents, “Homosexual Panic in Frankenstein.”
Aeryal Palazzi, an English major, presents “Anxiety of Procreation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.”
Aeryal Palazzi, an English major, presents “Anxiety of Procreation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.”
Sophia Girol, an English major, presents “The Monster That Is Otherness: Why Frankenstein Is Still Discussed Today.”
Sophia Girol, an English major, presents “The Monster That Is Otherness: Why Frankenstein Is Still Discussed Today.”
The members of the fall 2025 English senior seminar class during Q&A.
Hard Freight Café Spring 2026
The spring 2026 Hard Freight open mic was held on Tuesday, March 17, in the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. The event is sponsored by Hard Freight, Penn State Altoona’s student literary arts magazine. Students interested in serving as editors of Hard Freight may enroll in ENGL 209: Journal Practicum. The one-credit course is offered every semester and is open to all majors. Students may take the course up to eight times.
Since the event was held on St. Patrick’s Day, attendees who wore green were eligible for Irish-themed door prizes. The winners’ names were drawn by Penn State Altoona Chancellor Ron Darbeau. Winners were McCailey Flaugh, Aeryal Pallazi, and Isabel Garcia.
Student Addison Connelly performs a song by The Strokes.
Student Natalie Vora reads an original poem.
Student Isabel Garcia reads an original poem.
VAST senior Talon McKendree shares his original artwork several pieces of which will be exhibited in his senior art show this spring.
Sam O’Keefe reads an original poem.
Erin Murphy, professor of English and advisor of Hard Freight, reads an original poem.
Student Reilly Keen performs an original monologue about Big Foot.
Penn State Altoona English professor emeritus Tom Liszka reads several poems.
Student J.J. Colombo sings a song.
Hard Freight Editor-in-Chief Emmett Moniz reads an original story.
The crowd enjoys the event.
Writing and Publishing Opportunities
Interested in creative writing? Penn State Altoona students can take workshops in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and playwriting, as well as pursue a more focused study through the creative writing concentration. Want hands-on experience and practice of your professional skills? Consider writing for the Collegiate Review, the student newspaper, or Hard Freight, the college literary magazine. Outside of the classroom, engage with visiting writers and with the current Emerging Writer-in-Residence. Creative writing faculty have won national and international awards, have published dozens of books, and are excited to help you reach your potential.
English Program Contacts
Contact Jeffery Stoyanoff, the English Degree Program Coordinator, or reach out to any of our English faculty and staff.
