University of Idaho’s Department of English is a vibrant community of scholars, writers, teachers, and students. The department offers a broad array of courses and majors in linguistics, literature, and writing, and is known particularly for its excellence in creative writing and ecocriticism.

The English Department is a hub of creative and scholarly activity, organizing frequent literary readings, scholarly lectures, conferences, and student gatherings.

We offer the following degree programs:

Undergraduate Degrees

Intensive writing training, analyzing a spectrum of literary genres, and critical thinking form the foundation of all undergraduate majors, minors and certificates offered through the Department of English. This foundation allows students to improve their writing, speaking, and textual interpretation skills while examining the nature of language and significance of English and American literary traditions in cultural and historical contexts.

From here, degree programs proceed onto more advanced-level courses in literature, expository and creative writing, literary criticism and theory, pedagogy, linguistics, and cultural studies. Small classroom settings allow students to discuss their observations, debate their perspectives, and share their works.

Undergraduates majoring in English choose a focused course of study from one of four concentrations:

1. Creative Writing
2. Linguistics
3. Literature
4. Professional Writing

Additionally, the Department of English partners with the School of Journalism and Mass Media to offer an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree in film and television studies.

A bachelor’s degree earned through the University of Idaho’s Department of English opens up a range of career paths, including in education, communications, publishing, politics, and other fields requiring strong writing and analytical skills. Considering these pathways, undergraduate students are recommended to plan out their curriculum and course based on their career goals, be it taking more literature-and linguistic-centered courses or selecting a professional or creative writing track. 

Graduate Degrees

The Department of English offers MFA and MA programs, which build on the foundation students acquired in their bachelor’s degree or while working scholarly or creative fields. Graduate candidates develop specialized skills in our literature, and creative writing based programs while conducting independent research, producing original work, and learning the theoretical and practical skills needed to teach English in a postsecondary education setting. 

The Department of English offers two graduate degree programs:

1. M.F.A. creative writing
2. M.A. English

Over our 100-year history, the University of Idaho has turned into a world-class institution for creative writing, literature and environmental studies. Candidates will have the opportunity to participate in or submit works to the publication Fugue, our literary journal, or intern at the Confluence Lab, an interdisciplinary research program bringing together scholars in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to discuss the state’s specific environmental issues. As well, the department’s graduate students coordinate and run the annual University of Idaho Graduate English Conference.

Further attesting to our graduate programs’ quality, the Department of English has a strong track record of placing our master’s candidates into Ph.D. programs and teaching positions at colleges and universities. As well, many of our candidates begin careers in a writing or analysis role in business, industry, commerce, or government. 

Other Department Services

For all undergraduate students at U of I, writing skills are integral to the curriculum. Coordinating this effort across campus, the First-Year Writing program lives in the Department of English. Through small classes and a collaborative environment, students hone their critical reading and writing skills to not only be successful here but to start their careers as effective, inquisitive, and organized communicators who can clearly and convincingly present their ideas.

The Writing Center also falls in the Department of English’s spectrum. For all students, the Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring and assistance through all stages of the process, be it brainstorming and structuring an essay or refining a draft into a final version. Covering all types and formats of writing, the Writing Center is open for on-campus and online appointments.

Learn More About the Department of English

If you’re thinking about earning a bachelor’s or graduate degree in English at the University of Idaho but want to learn more about our programs, reach out to the Department of English by email or by phone at 208-885-6156, or request additional information today.