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The Language, Literature, Culture, and Writing Department brings together the Department of English with the Department of Languages and Cultures to offer a wide range of offerings that cater to a variety of interests and career preparation needs – whether your goal is to work in business, the nonprofit sector, education, publishing, international development, or government, or if you plan to go on to graduate school.
Alumni in arts, humanities, and social sciences are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Language, Literature, Culture, and Writing fields (NACE)
Noteworthy Language, Literature, Culture, and Writing Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The English major offers a wide range of choices. Our literature courses span historical periods and movements of British, American, European, Caribbean, South American, African, Native American, and Indian literature. Our writing courses cover fiction and poetry writing, business writing, creative nonfiction, experimental fiction, technical writing, and more. Those seeking K12 Education certification will take a course sequence specifically designed to assist with the Praxis and with your future teaching content. Depending on interest, English majors can opt to earn Certificate credentials as part of their BA in English, with emphases on creative writing, professional writing, and more.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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The Global Asia Studies Program advances a critical understanding of contemporary global issues - from climate change to the refugee crisis to religious violence – through the interdisciplinary study of Asia and transnational Asian diasporas.
For future teachers in pre-k, elementary, middle or high school. To enable students’ access to the fast-growing bilingual professional job market in fields such as health care, social work, business, marketing, communication, and IT.
Students have the option to concentrate in literature, creative writing, or critical and professional writing. Each of these minors offers students a core of literature and writing courses to develop close reading and writing skills, and opportunities to explore literary periods, or hone creative writing (both fiction and nonfiction) and professional writing skills, respectively. More Info »
The Korean Studies Minor (18 credit) provides students the opportunity to develop a familiarity with the language, history, popular culture, and society of Korea through a range of elective courses on contemporary society, popular culture, and industries. Students will have a chance to develop cross-cultural perspectives, gain an understanding of the world beyond the U.S. and North America, and to cultivate a global sensitivity to recognize transnational connections that configure today’s complex and unequal global society.
A minor in linguistics can be both intellectually rewarding and practical. A background in linguistics develops knowledge about the human capacity to acquire and use language, as well as about the formal systems that make up human and artificial languages. A background in linguistics will develop your ability to understand and analyze many facets of language and communication. This ability can be applied to the study, for example, of English grammar and style, or of foreign languages, or of child and adult speech and language acquisition. Linguistics can illuminate language diversity and change or serve to make sense of computer science and logic. A minor in linguistics will directly benefit students majoring in speech-language pathology, English, foreign languages, philosophy, communication, education, anthropology, psychology, cognitive science, liberal studies, and computer science. More Info »
A minor in Spanish grants students a gateway to proficiency in the language. Courses provide students with a foundation of knowledge in Spanish language, composition, and literature. A minor in Spanish benefits students by providing them with abilities in practical as well as professional and academic communication.
This accelerated program allows students to earn their BA in Creative Writing and their MFA in Creative and Professional Writing in 5 years—saving students more than $9,500 dollars in tuition costs.
The 12-credit Certificate in Creative Writing program is designed for those who want to explore the art of writing poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The program is open to adult learners with at least a high school diploma, as well as undergraduate students attending community college or university. Learn more »
» Current students sign-up here: Declare Certificate » If you are not currently enrolled as a student, please apply here.
Students who complete this program will gain skills in the following areas, which are sought after in a wide range of career fields: storytelling, arguing a point, analyzing, communicating clearly, grasping tone, researching, and writing. By expanding students’ critical reading, critical thinking, and writing skills and by providing direct practical experience in a variety of professional writing fields, this certificate will bring them added value in the job market and/or in their current workplace. This program is available as a stand-alone certificate for current undergraduate students from any major as well as non-degree students and adult learners who want to enhance their career skills. For those who wish to continue beyond the certificate, the courses completed also count towards a major in English or a minor in Critical and Professional Writing minor. Learn more »
Over the last several years, there has been a steady growth in the demand for bilingual and multilingual employees. A 2019 survey among U.S. employers has revealed that 9 out of 10 employers rely on employees who can speak languages other than English and 56% reported that their demand for bi/multilingual speakers will increase in the next five years. Students completing this certificate will be able to: express themselves more confidently through their listening and speaking skills in Spanish; demonstrate better accuracy and fluency in their reading and writing skills in Spanish and show increased knowledge about the diverse Hispanic-Latinx cultures. Learn more »
The master of education includes concentrations in bilingual/ESL, teaching children mathematics, early childhood education, and school library media. These 33-credit master's degree programs meet the professional development needs of inquiring educators who want to develop in-depth knowledge of theories and trends, research, pedagogical approaches, and applications of educational technology for teaching in one of four areas of specialization. Some courses are offered online or in blended learning environments. Graduates in all concentrations are prepared to become classroom researchers and leaders with a commitment to equity and diversity in curriculum development and reform. More Info »
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This graduate program fosters excellence and imagination in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, with emphasis on professionalism, pedagogy, and publishing. More Info »
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This program is designed for certified teachers who desire a certificate to teach in a bilingual-bicultural program. Passing scores on the Language Proficiency Interview Tests in English and the language of instruction are required in order for students to receive their endorsement certification from the state of New Jersey. More Info »
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This program is designed for certified teachers who desire a certificate to teach in an English as a second language program. Satisfactory completion of the curriculum (a grade point average of 3.0 with no C in all course work), completion of sheltered English instruction workshops for mentors, and a score of advanced low on oral proficiency interviews and written proficiency examinations in English are required for a candidate to receive endorsement from the state of New Jersey. More Info »
With its emphasis on close reading and writing skills and its training in critical thinking—skills that are crucial in today’s high-tech global economy—an English degree will help you acquire the tools to flourish in a wide variety of career paths in the private and public sectors and will give you career flexibility in a constantly changing world. Our language students enjoy opportunities to learn and develop outside of the classroom through study abroad experiences, career development workshops, community engagement, and the chance to work with professors on research and present at conferences. Our students also benefit from departmental opportunities including internships, student-run poetry and fiction publications, guest speakers, an annual writer’s conference, and membership in Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honor Society, or Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society.
In our language, literature, culture, and writing programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
In addition to teaching careers, language, literature, culture, and writing alumni are prepared for jobs in areas including customer service, sales, marketing, management, and IT, which have high demand for employees with foreign language skills.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
English and communication, promotional review editor, Bristol Myers Squibb
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
