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Bachelor of Arts
Major | Minor
The habits of reading deeply and writing well open doors far beyond the page.
In the English program at Goshen College, you read great literature, craft compelling stories, and sharpen the critical thinking that carries into law, teaching and publishing, as well as graduate school.
You’ll read widely, weigh diverse perspectives, and learn the deep critical thinking and strong writing skills that carry straight into law school, graduate school or any field you want to pursue. Small classes and one-on-one faculty mentoring will let you tailor your own path.
This major is for people who take ideas seriously, who want to read closely, argue well and use language to make a difference. If you’re headed toward law school or graduate school, drawn to fields that address social change but require flexible skills, or simply want to be stretched, English builds the analysis and writing expertise that travels anywhere.
You won’t do it alone. With personal mentoring alongside small classes, you’re known by name in a supportive community of readers and writers, and you can shape your studies around what you care about. It’s a place that takes both your questions and your voice seriously.
View the complete program requirements in our catalog.
As a Writing and Publishing Major you can also turn your passion for books, research and community engagement into a professional credential with Goshen College’s Library Science Certificate.
This program meets Indiana Public Librarian Certification requirements while building a strong foundation in library and tailoring it to your interests.
Publish your own chapbook through Pinchpenny Press — Goshen College’s student-run press, where most writing and publishing majors see a book of their work in print before they graduate.
Submit a poem, short story, or memoir piece to Broadside — a series running since 1976 that prints original student writing as a signed placard and distributes it free across campus.
Strengthen your writing, editing, design and photography skills at The Record, the student newspaper where your content reaches a campus and community audience.
Write for Squirrel Digest, the independent student-run arts magazine, highlighting student and alumni stories through feature writing, short stories, poetry, photography, and other forms of art.
As more people lose the ability to write well and think critically, the skills you hone as an English and writing student will make you a unicorn in the workforce. While everyone else is asking AI how to respond to an email that was also written by AI, your original ideas and ability to think for yourself will stand out in a crowd. I couldn’t recommend an English degree more!
Greta Lapp Klassen
Class of 2023, Paralegal at The National Immigrant Justice Center
As an English major or minor, if you choose to contribute to publications boards, you may qualify for Sara Ann Freed scholarship money. You may also apply for the Horswell Publishing fellowship and may qualify for quality for merit-based scholarships, and most Goshen students receive financial aid.
To see your own price after aid, run the net price calculator, or explore your options at the financial aid and scholarships pages.
Yes. English is offered as both a major and a minor, so you can add it to another field to strengthen your reading, writing and analysis. To add the minor, declare it with your academic advisor.
English graduates work in writing and editing, publishing, journalism, teaching, law, public relations, and nonprofit leadership as authors, teachers, editors, attorneys, publicists and grant writers. The degree’s analysis and writing skills are also strong preparation for law school and graduate school.
Start your application at the Goshen College apply page, or request information first if you’d like to talk through fit, the field placement or careers in social work before committing. You can also schedule a visit to meet the faculty.
Professor of English
Department Chair
Visiting Assistant Professor of English
