Explore the Power of Language and Imagination

The Department of English at Catholic University is dedicated to the study of literature: learning its history and searching its aesthetic depths. We are teacher-scholars in fields ranging from Anglo-Saxon visual culture to Chaucer, Shakespeare and Milton to Victorian fiction to modern British and American poetry and prose. We share a love of literature and an unwavering commitment to the good of our students. Our faculty inspire students to think critically, write effectively, and see the world through new perspectives.

Where Our Graduates Go

Our alumni go on to make an impact as:

• Writers and Editors
• Lawyers
• Teachers and Professors
• Communications and Marketing Professionals
• Medical Doctors and Social Workers
• Journalists and Media Producers
• Public Relations Managers
• Consultants
• Artists 

Opening Doors in Any Direction

“The man who is contented to be only himself, and therefore less a self, is in prison. My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through those of others. Reality, even seen through the eyes of many, is not enough. I will see what others have invented.”

  C. S. Lewis

 

“As a proud English major, I have always believed a liberal arts education translates well to the world of finance. In both instances, you need to synthesize large amounts of information, weigh competing arguments, and articulate a point of view— critical skills that matter as much at a place like Goldman Sachs as they do on a university campus.” 

Jonathan Waldron, President and C.O.O., Goldman Sachs

 

Student Spotlights

Judith P., Class of 2024
Judith earned her B.A. in English with minors in History, Philosophy, and Theology. As a student, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Vermilion and President of the English Society. She was awarded the H. Edward Cain Prize for excellence in literary study. After graduation, she enjoyed teaching English in Galicia, Spain, before starting law school this year at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. 

Caroline M., Class of 2022
Caroline earned her B.A. in English with minors in Writing, Hispanic Studies, and Theology & Religious Studies. During her time at Catholic U, she helped found the literary magazine Vermilion, served as Vice President of the English Society, and worked as a copy editor for The Tower. She was awarded the H. Edward Cain Prize for excellence in literary study. She is an Associate Editor at Fitch Ink and is pursuing an M.Phil in Irish Writing at Trinity College Dublin.

Isabelle R., Class of 2020
Isabelle earned her B.A. in English. She served as President of the English Society. After working for a few years in political communications, she shifted to public relations. She is now a Director at Renegade DC, a PR firm.

Brian M., Class of 2017
Brian earned his B.A. in English. At Catholic U, he served as Secretary for the English Society. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature at University College London. He now works as a Senior Associate in Global Transactions at DBS Bank in Hong Kong.

Tyler L., Class of 2015
Tyler earned his B.A. in English with a minor in Philosophy. At Catholic U, he served as a Resident Assistant, a Tutor in the Writing Center, and an Operations Assistant in the DuFour Center. He is currently working as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut.

 

Featured Courses

• ENG 300: Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENG 355: Medieval Monsters
• ENG 358: Tolkien: Medievalist and Mythmaker
• ENG 379: Jane Austen and Her Legacy in Film
• ENG 380: Yeats: Poet of Modern Ireland
• ENG 381: Poetry and Rock: Poetic Song Verse 

 

Recent Internship and Fellowship Experiences

Students in the Department of English have secured a wide range of exciting internships and post-graduate fellowships, including:

• Marketing Intern – Guidehouse (Management Consultancy)
• Legislative Interns – US Senate and House of Representatives
• Teaching Fellows – University of Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE)
• Teaching Fellows – Providence Alliance of Catholic Teachers (PACT)
• Editorial Internships – The Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers 
• Editing Services Intern – The American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
• Knowledge Navigators Intern - The Library of Congress
• Editing and Writing Intern – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

 

Did You Know?

• Sister Thea Bowman, Servant of God, studied English Literature at Catholic U.
• The English Department produces Vermilion, a magazine of undergraduate creative writing. Our students and faculty also help produce Inventio, Catholic University’s undergraduate research journal.
• Our majors pursue an extremely wide range of careers and vocations after leaving Catholic University, including law, medicine, education, public relations, writing, editing, finance, library science, consulting, journalism, media, and religious or family life. 
• Catholic University English majors have a strong network of alumni in the DC area, and throughout the country. Most are happy to offer mentorship and advice to current majors.
• English majors regularly study abroad — not only through CUA’s Rome Program, but also at Oxford University and through the Irish Summer Institute, held annually in Cork and Dublin, Ireland