English, Bachelor's , Minor
Overview
Customize your English degree with a concentration that’s right for you and create a degree designed to launch your career.
DeSales English graduates learn the key skills to navigate today’s work environment: critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. You’ll have lots of chances to network with professionals at the annual Writers Conference, Humanities Reading Series events, and by building close relationships with our prestigious faculty.
Build your resume and portfolio by working on the school newspaper, The Minstrel, and the school literary magazine, WEAL. All students are encouraged to participate in one of our study abroad programs where you can spend a semester abroad at the same cost as a semester at DeSales. Learn more about study abroad
Class size is rarely over 20 students, so you can make personal and meaningful connections with your professors. Our faculty have diverse backgrounds and lots of field experience. They'll work with you to find the right path for your career goals.
Add an MFA
Go beyond the bachelor's degree and add on a master's of fine art in creative writing degree! Students can start taking MFA courses in their senior year, and will only add one additional year to their studies.
English majors take a major role in producing the campus publications, such as the student newspaper and the literary magazine.
The English Department also hosts:
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An annual High School Poetry Festival, which brings an internationally renowned poet to campus every spring
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The Humanities Reading Series, which brings six publishing writers to DeSales each year to present public readings of their work
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An annual writers' conference
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
- Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
As a DeSales English major, you'll take ten core courses to gain a comprehensive overview of the history of English literature.
You'll read in all genres — drama, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry — and also encounter great works of literature in translation.
Choose from five tracks to focus your degree
- Education
If you would like to pursue a career as an English teacher, you can take courses in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for Secondary School Teacher Certification. - Literature
Courses dedicated entirely to the English Renaissance, the Middle Ages, and Contemporary literature (to name a few!) give you the opportunity to focus your degree entirely on the themes, genres, and writers of literary history. - Public Relations
Develop the writing and communication skills in order to contribute to the positive image of your company or cause. - Writing
Whether you want to write novels and poems, write for The New York Times, or write the corporate history for major companies across the globe, you can focus your degree on creating a diverse portfolio. - Self Design
If you want to customize a track that’s personal to your needs, you have that option! Work with your faculty advisor in order develop a track that helps fit your career goals.
Academic Catalog
Graduation Requirements
View the graduation requirements and example schedule for this programFaculty
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2023-2024
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $43,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $58,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $65,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $43,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $44,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $55,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $43,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $44,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $62,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
