B.A. in English

The Bachelor of Arts in English helps students develop their ability to read perceptively, think critically, analyze problems and arguments, and write persuasively. The degree provides students with a strong foundation in writing and a solid overview of both British and American literature. The degree has some flexibility, allowing the degree to be tailored to any number of career paths. Students from the Meridian campus will be able to choose from a wide range of English courses taught by faculty on the Meridian and Starkville campuses and delivered in various formats, including face-to-face and online.

English majors find jobs just about everywhere, and many English graduates pursue advanced degrees in a number of fields. The undergraduate English major has traditionally been viewed as good preparation for careers in law, government, business, and publishing as well as for careers in teaching and writing. Students are encouraged to tailor their program of study to meet their specific career goals:

Training in the analysis of texts would prepare you for law school, seminary, or divinity school.

Experience with reading, editing, and researching would prepare you for jobs in publishing. Book publishers and magazines need people in acquisitions and editing, in marketing and promotion, and in research.

A solid background in literature and writing would prepare you to teach in a private high school with the English BA or become certified through the College of Education or the "alternate route" program to teach in public schools. With a Master's, you could teach full-time at a two-year college, and with a Ph.D., you could apply for a full-time job at a university. Many recent graduates find interesting and rewarding jobs teaching English in other countries.

Good technical writing skills are in constant demand, and with them you may find interesting work in any number of settings. Many government agencies, advertising firms, think tanks, public relations firms, and large corporations employ people whose primary responsibility is writing or researching.

Freelance creative writing is a challenging career path, but it can be combined with teaching, publishing, or a steady writing job.

Minimum Admission Requirements:
(In addition to general admission requirements)

In general, applicants to Mississippi State University-Meridian must have completed at least 60 credit hours of college work at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning, to include 24 core hours as shown.

To be eligible for admission, majors must have a 2.0 average in all their course work and a 2.5 in their English courses (39 hours).  Official transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted. *Grade of ‘C’ or better required in all English courses above teh 2000 level. Total upper level Arts and Sciences requirement: 31 hours which must be taken at MSU. Last 31 hours of the degree must be taken in residence at MSU.

MSU-Meridian reserves the right to delete, substitute, change, or supplement any statement in this publication without prior notice. It is recommended to speak to an advisor before enrolling to receive up-to-date information. Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status. 

Want more information about a Bachelor degree in English? Contact Regena Clark by email at rclark@meridian.msstate.edu, 601-484-0153 or Dr. James Kelley at the Division of Arts and Sciences, MSU-Meridian by e-mail at jkelley@meridian.msstate.edu, 601-484-0140.

Last Updated: 9/23/11