Long Island English Department

Long Island English Department

Learn more about yourself through the medium of the written word.


Are you passionate about a subject that raises more questions than it answers? If you want to grasp novels, short stories and poetry with a critical understanding — create with a distinct voice all your own — then our english degree programs on our Long Island campus is a perfect fit.

For English students at St. Joseph's University, studying texts is just the beginning. With faculty who help you develop writing skills and a greater perspective, you will find a deep connection with classics novels, films and art. We have a vibrant community of readers, writers and scholars who engage the world around them as students of literature.  

By building bridges between canonical authors such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton and Mark Twain and the marginalized yet valuable perspectives of diverse ethnic, religious and LGBT communities, the Department of English at St. Joseph’s University provides a rich and compelling literary education. We offer numerous courses that develop writing skills, including creative writing, scriptwriting, magazine writing, and advanced expository writing. We also have an exciting Film/Media Studies track.


Caitlin MorrellCaitlin Morrell '12, M.A. '16
Teacher, Student Speaker at Class of 2016 Graduate Commencement

"I currently teach 9th and 10th grade English, but I hope to broaden my scope to include inclusion and self-contained special education classes. St. Joseph's University has taught me a lot about community building, paying it forward and simply put, life. I've learned so much about becoming a team player, working towards a common goal and becoming an all around better person. St. Joseph's has shaped me into a better version of myself."

Read More About Caitlin


Learn more about our offerings

English Major
Build the tools to discover your own complex perspective.

English Major

While our accomplished professors bring wide-ranging interests and expertise to the table, all are committed to providing English majors with the skills and understanding of literature necessary to succeed in fulfilling careers and intellectual pursuits. Majors are accepted into graduate programs in English literature, literary theory, law, education and library science.

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English Secondary Education Major
Preparation to successfully educate and instruct.

English Secondary Education Major

The St. Joseph's University secondary education program is consistently ranked among the best teaching programs in the New York Metropolitan area. The program, which prepares students to teach at the secondary level, has a high job placement rating and combines a solid teaching background with a strong English concentration. The English degree program on Long Island is aligned with the professional standards mandated by New York and other states. Students participate in meaningful learning experiences and are introduced to developmental and learning-style theories, constructivism, multiple intelligence theories and the best pedagogical practices that support instruction for all students.

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English Minor
Complement your degree with a minor in English.

English Minor

Students opting to take the minor must complete 18 credits in English, American or world literature (anything above ENG 112). Twelve of these English course credits must be at or above the 200 level.

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Film/Media Minor
Explore your approach to media.

Film/Media Minor

This minor offers opportunities to study a powerful contemporary and historical form of communication and expression: the moving photo-graphic image. Courses consist of interdisciplinary approaches to the analysis of film and media, covering works from the silent period to the present, from the U.S. and other nations, and from “mainstream” and “alternative” groups. Students learn the art, history, technology, economics, and theory of cinema and media, while also learning the language for analyzing such texts’ forms and practices.

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American Studies Minor
Examine the development of American culture.

American Studies Minor

Using perspectives in the arts, humanities and social sciences, St. Joseph’s interdisciplinary program in American studies explores the diverse ideas and experiences that have contributed to the development of American cultural and political life.

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English Concentration
Combine English with your educational future.

English, Area of Concentration for Child Study

Many students choose to combine the English major with our adolescence education or child study programs, which prepare them to teach at the elementary and secondary levels. English majors who take the child study concentration track obtain valuable classroom experience as student teachers in New York City public and parochial schools.

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