There are more than 230 undergraduate majors in English combined with 43 M.A. and Ph.D. students to help make English the third-largest teaching unit in the College of Arts and Sciences. More than 8000 undergraduates take classes in English each year, with courses ranging from first-year writing to advanced seminars. Our students also pursue a wide range of internships. Allowing students to expand their opportunities further through the use of internships is a significant priority for our department .

At the graduate level our program boasts a placement rate for Ph.D.s of over 90%, which is nearly double the national average. In addition, all of our M.A. and Ph.D. students are admitted with full funding. These students also have the opportunity to study with internationally known faculty, but also to sharpen their own teaching skills through our extensive program of professional development.

As a member of a public land-grant university, the Department of English also remains committed to supporting the efforts of faculty and students. Whether individually or collaboratively, our department uses their academic, professional, and creative expertise to contribute to the public welfare and the common good. Our faculty regularly consult with other K-16 units nationwide, and more locally our Visiting Writers series brings a wide range of talented, contemporary writers and editors to the Palouse each year.

A recent national survey ranked WSU’s English department faculty as more productive than their peers at many other well-known institutions, including UCLA, Cornell, University of Texas and the University of Washington. Our faculty takes pride in providing the best, hands on and collaborative teaching methods to produce the best results with our students.

Our English graduates are proficient communicators, able to understand and employ the power of language and texts to influence their worlds. While faculty engage in teaching, research, and service in a wide range of sub-disciplines, including literary studies, rhetoric, creative writing, professional writing, and English education. View all the majors and sub-majors for undergraduates here.

Bylaws 3/11/2020