Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English will earn you more than just a degree at Lincoln Memorial University. Our English program's curriculum contributes to the Mission and Purpose of LMU by advancing the culture and life within the Cumberland Gap area by way of a reading series and an annual literary festival. These opportunities will provide you and your peers with a nuanced depth and complex understanding of the field by advancing your ability to communicate clearly and make informed judgments.
Beyond developing a better understanding of our literary and cultural history, our English major program will allow you to develop primary skills that provide value in a wide range of careers, including:
- critical thinking, reading and problem solving
- analysis and interpretation
- effective oral and written communication.
Additionally, our literary clubs and journals at LMU will provide you with creative outlets and internship opportunities in editing and publishing. Our English program's Sigma Tau Delta chapter provides students with networking opportunities. Each spring, members lead discussion panels and deliver papers at the society's regional and national conferences.
While LMU's English degree program is popular amongst applicants, we strive to keep our class sizes small (14 students per class on average). During your time with us, you can expect personal attention to ensure the opportunity to build lasting relationships with your peers and instructors. The faculty in our English department possess a variety of scholarly interests and specialties covering the historical range of literature in English from Beowulf to recent fiction, poetry and drama. Many of our faculty have published broadly in national academic and literary journals.
LMU's alumni ranks include some of the most celebrated writers of the Appalachian South, including James Still, Jesse Stuart and Don West. We've even had the pleasure of authors like Silas House working as writers in residence and establishing the Mountain Heritage Literary Festival, an annual literary event and retreat. Each year, the widely attended festival, directed by author and assistant professor, Patrick Wensink, celebrates the bountiful literary traditions of greater Appalachia flourishing here at LMU.
Take your place in this grand literary and cultural tradition by studying English at LMU!
Admission Requirements
Review the following details to ensure that you are eligible for the Bachelor of Arts in English program at LMU. To qualify for regular admission at LMU, you must have:
- Completed high school with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 on a 4-point grading scale.
- General Education Development (GED) examination with an average score of at least 45 and no component score below 35.
If you are a transfer* student, you must meet the following criteria to qualify for regular admission at LMU:
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.4 on all previous college-level work.
ACT/SAT scores are optional. If test scores are sent to the Office of Admissions, they will be reviewed on an individual case-by-case basis.
If you have completed at least 15 semester credit hours of potentially transferable seated, college-level coursework at an accredited/approved college or university, you will be considered for regular transfer admission.
How to Apply
For admission into the Bachelor of Arts in English program at LMU, you must apply through the LMU portal. Your application must be completed for entry into the program. We recommend that your application be completed before the last year of your high school education.
Need assistance with your application process? Get application assistance.
Program Outcomes
Now is a great time to be an English major! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, English majors are currently in demand in fields like technical writing, library science and teaching. These fields are experiencing a higher-than-average growth rate and may even be on par with jobs like nursing and law. Online working opportunities are growing and advancing steadily, increasing the demand for writers and authors with online and multimedia experience.
English majors are in demand in a wide range of fields. Our alumni go on to thrive in careers including:
- journalism
- publishing and editing
- creative writing
- teaching
- law
- business
- library sciences
- and more
Literary Contests and The Wolfpen Journal
Since the start of our English department at LMU, we have held annual writing and literary contests for student work. Our program sponsors two writing contests each Spring.
In addition, we publish the acclaimed literary magazine, the Wolfpen Journal. Designed and led by students, the Wolfpen Journal features original student writing and artwork from across our versatile campus.
Contact Us
Looking to learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in English degree at LMU? We're here to help! Reach out to us at any time and we would be happy to get back to you as soon as we can.
Dr. Abigail Heiniger
Office Address: Avery Hall 109
Phone: 423.869.6627
Email: Abigail.Heiniger@LMUnet.edu