About the Department
Award-winning Faculty. Accomplished Students.
Welcome to English at UNK! Choose from an English major with either a writing – including creative writing – or literature emphasis or from two teaching-focused majors: English as a subject endorsement or a field endorsement, adding expertise in theatre, journalism, and speech.
Want to accelerate your options? We offer a 4+1 program that allows you to earn credits toward your MA while completing your BA or BAED. Or follow your passion and consider a minor in Creative Writing, English Studies, or Film Studies.
Our faculty will help you find your voice, foster your creative expression, develop your critical writing, critical reading, and critical thinking skills, and give you the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in today’s careers.
Ready to take the next step? Our highly-ranked graduate program (offered fully online) is taught by experts in their fields, Ph.D.s who also excel in teaching. Choose from four focus areas: literature, creative writing, childhood & youth studies, and composition, rhetoric, & language.
Undergraduate Degrees
Graduate Degrees
Beyond the Classroom
Careers
Discover your passion
What can you do with an English degree? The question we ask is what can’t you do with an English degree? Your potential is powerful.
At UNK, students to become involved early and often. With opportunities to earn scholarships, internships, and participate in organizations on campus, you can begin building a resume your freshmen year to develop skills that will put you ahead in your future career.
Alumni Success
UNK English graduates have gone on to become successful teachers, writers, editors, and scholars, while others have entered careers in business, law, medicine, government, and the arts. Some of the job titles alumni have held include:
Attorney, Author, Book Acquisitions Editor, Business Owner, Director of Government Affairs, Editorial Assistant, High School and Middle School Teachers, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Mental Health Therapist, Paralegal, School Psychologist, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist, Tenured Faculty Member, University Registrar
Research and Creative Activity
Get Hands-On Experience
Engage with visiting writers, participate in workshops, present at national conferences, and see your work in print. Our students – undergrads and grads – enjoy opportunities throughout the year to work with English faculty on research and creative projects. Your passion is our drive.
4+1 Accelerated Master's Program
Jumpstart Your Future
Thinking about starting your Master’s degree? UNK English offers an M.A. program tailored to meet the interests of in-service teachers, creative writers, and those wishing to continue on to a Ph.D. program elsewhere. With our 4+1 program, undergraduates can start earning credits towards a graduate degree as part of undergraduate coursework.
A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are offered each year and scholarships are available.
Carillon
Celebrate Your Creativity
UNK English has sponsored student creative and critical writing for over a century – and our student literary magazine is nearly that old! Over the years The Antler has evolved into the Carillon, but its student-run and student-edited purpose remains unchanged: to celebrate the excellent creative and critical writing at UNK. We love to see our students in print!
Student Language and Literature Conference
Engage with Peer and Experts
Established more than 30 years ago, the annual Student Language & Literature conference is the highlight of the academic year. Present papers and creative writing, learn from colleagues and friends, gain professional insight from alumni, and make the most of an invaluable experiential learning opportunity all while getting the chance to earn awards and accolades for your work.
Sigma Tau Delta
The International English Honor Society
UNK English sponsors the Xi Beta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. Both honor and club, UNK’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter hosts a variety of campus-wide events throughout the year. Exclusive webinars with renowned authors, competitive scholarships, and opportunities to present scholarly and creative projects at the Society's national convention are just a few of the perks available to members of Sigma Tau Delta. Members are also eligible to apply for editorial positions with the Carillon, UNK's premiere student-run literary magazine, and receive priority consideration for remote internships with Penguin, W. W. Norton, and other major publishing houses.
While full membership is only available to those who have completed at least 12 credits in English, transitional members may participate in all of Xi Beta's campus activities while working on completing their credits.
Emerging Writers (current High School students)
Writing and Artistry Competition
Love writing? Each year UNK English and our Sigma Tau Delta chapter – along with UNK’s American Democracy Project, UNK’s Art & Design Department, Art society, and Phi Eta Sigma – sponsor a writing and artistry competition for high school students. Winners receive prizes including scholarships, cash, and recognition at our annual Student Language & Literature Conference.
More information coming in the fall.
"The professors have just been very accessible, and at the same time definitely knowledgeable in their area. I've had just so much extra feedback in addition to the assignments, just all the extra tailored knowledge they have."
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