Why Major in English?

Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London

English might well be the most enjoyable of all possible majors at Villanova. The department offers a wide-ranging selection of courses from traditional surveys to studies in contemporary writers, film, and creative writing. Academically, English courses are particularly well-suited to helping students become better readers, writers, and analytical thinkers.

What’s less frequently recognized is that an English major has practical as well as intellectual advantages. English is not only an inherently valuable and pleasurable major, but can also lead to challenging and satisfying job opportunities. Perhaps you’ve resisted becoming an English major because you think you don’t want to be a teacher. But the stereotype that the only career available to an English major is in teaching is misleading, and few of our English majors actually become teachers.

In fact, probably no other major leads to so many different job possibilities—in publishing, advertising, law, and maybe most surprisingly in business. Employers value Villanova English majors for being able to think outside of the box and to express themselves with cogency and wit.

You can do anything with an English degree.