Penn State Altoona is now offering The Writing and Literature in Context option, providing students with more choices in the courses they take and allowing them to focus on areas that interest them most, such as professional writing, creative writing, literature, rhetoric, or a combination.
ALTOONA, Pa. — A more flexible version of the English major is now available at Penn State Altoona.
With fewer specified requirements, the Writing and Literature in Context option gives students more choices in the courses they take and allows them to focus on areas that interest them most, such as professional writing, creative writing, literature, rhetoric, or a combination.
“This new version of the major lets students tailor it to their unique career and graduate school plans,” said Erin Murphy, professor of English and coordinator of the English Program.
English majors find work in human resources and personnel administration, technology, business management, public relations, advertising, marketing, finance, journalism, nonprofit management, writing, editing, teaching, and other professions. English also is one of the traditional paths to law school, and many medical schools prefer students who had a minor or double major in a liberal arts subject such as English.
Employers, and graduate programs in a variety of fields, look for people with the analytical and communication skills that English majors develop.
“Majoring in English shows employers that you know how to write well, communicate effectively, and think critically — skills they don’t have time to teach you,” Murphy said.
The English program also offers minors and concentrations in Professional Writing, Creative Writing, English, and Global Narratives.
Students planning to transfer to University Park can still stay on track for UP’s English major while at Altoona.
More information on the value of majoring in English can be found on the English program website.
For more information on Penn State Altoona’s English program, contact Erin Murphy at [email protected].
