Prospective Students

The Department of English offers an array of majors, minors, and certificates, with a wide range of exciting classes in literature, new media, and craft. Our faculty are acclaimed writers, critics, filmmakers, and teachers, and all students have the opportunity to work closely with them both inside and beyond the classroom. We house the following programs:

English majors take small classes—nearly all of them 22 students or fewer—and work closely with professors on independent, student-driven projects. Many of our students are double majors or combine our majors with certificates others across the university. Our curriculum contributes to the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies certificate, the Health Humanities certificate, and many others. We welcome students into vibrant classroom environment rich with discussion and the exchange of cutting-edge ideas, where you will develop your best writing, create your newest production, and solve problems that require complex thought and articulation in language.

Internships and Professional Development 

We have a strong internship program that vets and advertises numerous internships both for credit and sometimes financial support. Internships can be used to satisfy major requirements in all of our programs, and an internship is required for all students pursuing the new PPW major.

With professional development in mind, we host numerous career/placement events, bring nationally and internationally renowned speakers to campus, sponsor writing and production competitions/awards, and hold student conferences at which undergraduates have the opportunity to present their academic work, research and undergraduate teaching opportunities. 

Research and Study Abroad

We encourage students to take full advantage independent research opportunities, Pitt Global Experiences (study abroad), and field study programs. Pitt manages a host of “Panther” programs for Pitt students to travel abroad plus exchanges with foreign universities and credit transfer for non-Pitt programs. A number of English department faculty teach in the Panther programs, including Pitt in Edinburgh (Scotland), Pitt in Prague (Czech Republic), Pitt in York (England), and film programs in LA and London.  

"Amy Murray Twyning provides her students with the opportunity to present research in a variety of settings, including literature conferences, undergraduate research poster sessions, and end-of-term showcases. In working with her, I have had the opportunity to engage with and benefit from the skills and resources of the Hillman Library, the Digital Scholarship Services staff, and the Office of Undergraduate Research." –Margaret Laird (English Literature and Psychology)

Advising

Each incoming student is assigned an academic advisor within the Dietrich School’s Academic Advising Center. Students are required to meet with their advisor at least once per term before they can enroll in classes for the next term. Students are encouraged to schedule additional appointments as necessary. Students will remain with their assigned advisor until they declare a major; once a major is declared, the student will transition to a new advisor within their major department. Meet the English department’s advising team here.


For more information about our department, or to schedule a visit or tour, please contact the Dietrich School's recruitment team at artsci@pitt.edu

If you are interested in graduate programs at the Dietrich School, please email asgrad@pitt.edu for more information.