English

The study of literature provides an outstanding opportunity to cultivate the life of the mind, perhaps the most rewarding of all human pursuits. Reading and analyzing literature teaches us to think critically and deliberately, never shying away from difficult or controversial topics.

The Department of English
The Department of English is a hub of loud, embracing energy that generates student awareness of language and culture that is crucial for success in the professional world. Through our Master’s programs and undergraduate degree programs, we train students in the arts of writing, critical thinking, and argumentation.
Students in our programs benefit from community-based internships, hands-on teaching experience in the UWF Writing Lab, small classes, visiting lectures by notable scholars and writers, and participant-centered workshops. Our students and faculty also publish two literary journals: Troubadour, the student magazine of poetry, fiction and graphic art, and Panhandler, distributed and recognized nationally as an important showcase for fresh creative voices. The Department also boasts its own book imprint, Panhandler Books.
Programs
The undergraduate program offers a BA of Liberal Arts in English, a BA of Liberal Arts in Creative Writing, a Minor in English and a Minor in Writing. Students may also gain a Certificate in Public, Technical and Workplace Writing.
Possible Graduate and Career Opportunities
- Law school
- Publisher
- Technical writer
- Literary publicist
Beginning in 2019-2020 academic year, the Department of English and the Department of Communication will offer an interdisciplinary Minor in Writing.
The minor in Writing is comprised of at least fifteen hours of interdisciplinary writing coursework at the 3000/4000-level across the university. The minor focuses on four core-course prefixes in the English and Communication departments: CRW (Creative Writing), ENC (Composition), JOU (Journalism), and LIN (Linguistics). Students pursuing a minor in Writing must complete with a grade of “C” or better a minimum of nine credit hours inclusive of at least one 3000/4000-level course from three of the four core-course prefixes (CRW, ENC, JOU, and LIN). Students pursuing the minor must also complete with a grade of “C” or better at least two additional courses from any of the core-course prefixes or qualifying individual elective writing courses identified by the English and Communication departments. All prerequisites must be met.
More information is available here.

Emily Ley - BA in English/Creative Writing and MA in Public Administration
In 10 short years, Emily started a family, shaped a sisterhood, and connected with a community of women… all while growing and leading a multi-million dollar business. This is Emily’s story about how one product launched a movement for women to live their lives, simplified.
The UWF Writing Lab
Graduate and undergraduate Writing Lab assistants are available to review the mechanics of writing with you and help you upgrade the quality of your papers before you submit these papers to your professors. Face-to-face readers and OWL (Online Writing Lab) readers are available to help you with your papers from invention to publication or presentation to your professor. Visit the UWF Writing Lab online.
First-Year Composition
While first-year composition may be a service course in which the goal is to meet the needs of the academic community, we believe the best way to meet those needs is by teaching critical literacy, that is, teaching students to think, read (listen, view, watch, perceive), and write critically. Visit the First Year Composition program online.
English Internship Program
The Department of English's’ internship program has fostered community partners who provide mutually beneficial internship opportunities that give students access to those “hands-on learning opportunities” that enhance their academic experience. Visit the English Intership Program online.