Which Pennsylvania Colleges Offer Degrees in English?

In Pennsylvania, many colleges offer English degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Below find brief descriptions of programs available at four public institutions.

What You Need to Know

Students interested in pursuing an education in English in Pennsylvania may earn a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in the field. Specialties within the broader field of 'English' include creative writing, publishing, poetry, literature, and professional writing; not all areas of study are available at all schools.

English programs are offered by four-year, public schools in the state and vary in length from three to four years, depending on the award. Students must earn a bachelor's degree, although perhaps not in English, in order to apply for graduate level studies in the field; similarly, doctoral degree students must hold master's degrees before admittance into the Ph.D. program.

English Bachelor's Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University offers undergraduate English programs at campuses throughout the state, allowing you to begin your program at a satellite location and finish at the main University Park campus. In addition to the four areas of emphasis listed above, the department offers the opportunity to design your own 15-credit course of study. You can also take advantage of internships in such career fields as public relations, publishing, or legal research.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English
• Specialization areas: Creative writing, rhetoric, African-American literature and publishing
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $18,454 for in-state students; $34,858 for out-of-state students (2018-2019 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 40,363 undergraduate students and 6,447 graduate students

Slippery Rock University

Located in northwest Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock University offers a bachelor's degree program that can prepare you for a writing career. Course topics for the professional writing track cover copy writing, technical writing, and scientific writing. Other program requirements include an advanced research writing course, an internship, and a completed portfolio of your work. You'll be expected to complete an internship in the creative writing program as well, but coursework focuses on playwriting, poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction instead.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in English Writing
• Field of Study Options: Creative writing and professional writing
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $10,757 for in-state students; $14,615 for out-of-state students (2018-2019 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 7,517 undergraduate students and 1,286 graduate students

University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh offers undergraduate degree programs through its Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. You'll need to complete a composition seminar prior to taking courses for the writing major. These can include topics in contemporary fiction, prose forms, and advanced poetry. You might also be able to publish your work in the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English Writing
• Field of Study Options: Nonfiction, fiction and poetry
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $19,080 for in-state students; $32,052 for out-of-state students (2018-2019 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 19,330 undergraduate students and 9,343 graduate students

English Master's Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Temple University

As a graduate student in Temple University's English literature program, you can earn a terminal Master of Arts or apply your course credits toward a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Your graduate coursework might include such topics as critical theory, rhetoric, contemporary literary styles, and women's studies. You can also publish your work in one of the many journals associated with Temple University, including the Journal of Modern Literature, The Scriblerian, and the student-run Schuylkill.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in English Literature
• Program Length: 3 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $16,488 for tuition and $890 in fees for in-state students; $22,698 for tuition and $890 in fees for out-of-state students (2018-2019 graduate school year)
• Prerequisites: Undergraduate English degree; a related humanities degree with equivalent coursework is also accepted
• Requirements: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, writing sample
• School Type: 4-year, public; 29,484 undergraduate and 10,256 graduate students

University of Pittsburgh

As a graduate English student at Pitt, you can study topics in literary theory and criticism as well as cultural history. The program also awards graduate certificates to students who take elective coursework in such areas as film studies and children's literature. Additionally, you can take advantage of publishing opportunities with Pitt's literary journal, Hot Metal Bridge, or the Pitt Political Review, which is open to students in all academic fields.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in English
• Program length: 3 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $22,846 for tuition and $850 in fees for in-state students; $38,736 for tuition and $850 in fees for out-of-state students (2018-2019 graduate school year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Requirements: GRE scores, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, writing sample
• School Type: 4-year, public; 19,330 undergraduate students and 9,343 graduate students

English Doctoral Degree Program in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State University

As a Ph.D. candidate at Penn State, you'll work with program faculty to develop your academic career and get your work published. Program coursework allows you to focus your studies on an area such as modernist studies, rhetoric and composition, period literature, or creative writing. Interdisciplinary study is strongly encouraged; you'll be required to complete 15 credit hours in a minor concentration as well. Other program requirements include a comprehensive examination and a doctoral thesis.

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy in English
• Program Length: 4 years after the master's degree, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $21,540 for tuition and $1,038 in fees for in-state students; $36,974 for tuition and $1,038 in fees for out-of-state students (2018-2019 graduate school year)
• Prerequisites: Master of Arts in English
• Requirements: GRE scores, statement of purpose, writing sample, three letters of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, public; 40,363 undergraduate students and 6,447 graduate students

In summary, you learned about undergraduate and graduate English degree programs in Pennsylvania offered by Penn State, Slippery Rock University, University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University.