My time in GC’s English department was immensely beneficial. I gained so many skills through my classes, collaboration with other students, and the mentoring and feedback I received from my professors. That all challenged and shaped me into a better and more confident writer. Because of GC’s English program, I was set up extremely well to succeed in my current job as a paralegal and for potential graduate school opportunities in the future.
English
Major | Minor
Read Widely, Write With Purpose
The habits of reading deeply and writing well open doors far beyond the page.
In the English program at Goshen College, you read great literature, craft compelling stories, and sharpen the critical thinking that carries into law, teaching, and publishing, as well as graduate school.
You’ll read widely, weigh diverse perspectives, and learn the deep critical thinking and strong, distinctive writing skills that carry straight into law school, graduate school, or any field you want to pursue. Small classes and one-on-one faculty mentoring let you tailor your own path.
Is English Right for You?
This major is for people who take ideas seriously, who want to read closely, argue well, and use language to make a difference. If you’re headed toward law school or graduate school, drawn to fields that address social change but require flexible skills, or simply want to be stretched, English builds the analysis and writing expertise that travels anywhere.
You won’t do it alone. With small classes and one-on-one faculty mentoring, you’re known by name in a supportive community of readers and writers, and you can shape your studies around what you care about. It’s a place that takes both your questions and your voice seriously
What You’ll Study
- Literature: Read great literature closely and weigh diverse perspectives, building the critical reading and analysis skills that anchor the major.
- Writing: Craft compelling narratives and sharpen your writing, learning to communicate with clarity and impact across multiple genres and audiences.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: Shape a flexible path that fits your interests, connecting language and ideas to the fields and questions you care about most.
View the complete program requirements in our catalog.
Library Science Certificate
As a Writing and Publishing Major you can also turn your passion for books, research, history, and community engagement into a professional credential with Goshen College’s Library Science Certificate.
This program meets Indiana Public Librarian Certification requirements while building a strong foundation in library and information science, and tailoring it to your interests.
Where You’ll Practice It
Your writing extends beyond the classroom early. You can contribute to campus publications, Pinchpenny Press ( editorial board), Broadside (short form publications), The Record (the student newspaper), and Squirrel Digest (student arts magazine). You can also contribute to publishing boards, present at public readings, intern at local publications, work as a writing mentor, and enter campus writing contests.
Where an English Degree Takes You
An English degree from Goshen prepares you for careers in:
- Writing and Editing
- Publishing
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Law
- Public Relations
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Graduate Studies
Our graduates work as authors, teachers, editors, attorneys, publicists, and grant writers, among other paths, and many go on to graduate and professional school.
Lindsey Graber, 26'
Corporate Paralegal at Yoder Ainlay Ulmer & Buckingham
Paying for Goshen
It’s worth asking about early. As an English major or minor, you may qualify for merit-based scholarships, and most Goshen students receive financial aid.
To see your own price after aid, run the net price calculator and talk with a real person in the financial aid office.
Common Questions About English major
Yes. English is offered as both a major and a minor, so you can add it to another field to strengthen your reading, writing, and analysis. To add the minor, declare it with your academic advisor; there is no separate application beyond admission to Goshen.
English graduates work in writing and editing, publishing, journalism, teaching, law, public relations, and nonprofit leadership, as authors, teachers, editors, attorneys, publicists, and grant writers. The degree’s analysis and writing skills are also strong preparation for law school and graduate school.
Your work extends beyond the classroom. You can publish through Pinchpenny Press and Broadside, write for The Record and Squirrel Digest, read your work at public readings, intern at local publications, mentor other writers, and enter campus writing contests, building a real body of work as you go.
As an English major or minor, if you choose to contribute to publications boards, you may qualify for Sara Ann Freed scholarship money. You may also apply for the Horswell Publishing fellowship and may qualify for quality for merit-based scholarships, and most Goshen students receive financial aid. Use the net price calculator on the financial aid page to see your real number, explore available scholarships, and talk with a financial aid counselor about your situation.
Ready to get started?
Jessica Baldanzi
Professor of English
Department Chair
