English Department

The English major prepares students to write, study literature and analyze language while providing a path to use these skills in the working world. The program offers personalized curricular plans for students with different professional interests in secondary education, law, professional writing, creative writing, and literature. 

Students work as writers and editors for award-winning publications: Totem, Gannon’s literary magazine, and The Gannon Knight, the campus newspaper. In classes, students write for the GreenEriePA website or other community partners that provide real-world applications in a variety of media. Creative writers have the opportunity to meet and attend workshops with nationally recognized poets. The English honors society, Sigma Tau Delta, offers community and the opportunity to sponsor poetry readings, service activities and other events relevant to the field of English.

Department of English houses two undergraduate programs:

• English (major, minor)
• Writing (major, minor)

Internships and Job Opportunities

Students will be prepared to enter into both academic and professional careers. Our graduates are employed by Fortune 500 companies, research institutions, corporations, non-profit organizations. 

Achieving the Bachelor of Arts degree in English provides the foundation for professional careers and preparation for graduate-level study in some of the best institutions in the country.

English majors have broad opportunities for internships within walking distance or a short drive of Gannon’s campus. Internship options include:

• Fortune 500 companies: Erie Insurance, GE Transportation
• Local broadcast affiliates of national networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and NPR
• Local radio stations: with formats including: country, contemporary hits, mainstream rock and top 40
• Health care: Erie VA Medical Center, UPMC Hamot, Saint Vincent Hospital
• Nonprofit organizations
• Local news publications