A bachelor’s degree English from Portland State University (PSU) will prepare students to tackle critical and complex issues, deepen their understanding of diverse cultural issues, and improve their ability to analyze and produce complicated texts. PSU's English program prepares students for careers in writing and teaching, as well as professions requiring high levels of literacy and critical thought, including law and business.

The degree in English provides a foundation in literature, rhetoric, composition, and critical theory. English students will study text and writing that represents many cultures and historical periods and learn critical approaches to texts and issues that enable them to interpret and compare positions, to read closely, critically, and with empathy. Students will gain skills by conducting their own research, weighing evidence, and writing with insight and expertise with guidance from PSU's dedicated expert faculty.

An English degree from PSU offers:

The English program at PSU is grounded in critical and theoretical approaches to literary study and requires a 20-credit sequence of core courses designed to ensure a thorough understanding of the methodologies of the field, in addition to allowing a variety of elective coursework in literature and writing courses in literary studies, film and digital media analysis, and publishing, creative writing, and technical writing. The department also offers an undergraduate degree in creative writing, minors in English, writing and film studies, and a certificate in comics studies.