You are sure to find your niche in a nurturing department where our faculty of nationally recognized literary scholars, editors, novelists, poets, playwrights, and popular writers have interests ranging from Shakespeare to Jane Austen to Toni Morrison, from climate change to disability studies to feminist and queer studies, from the sonnet tradition to Gothic fiction and graphic novels.
About the Department
In the Classroom
Our Programs
Hofstra University's Department of English offers undergraduate concentrations in Literatures in English, Creative Writing, Publishing Studies, and Children's and Young Adult Literature.
The Student Experience
Hofstra's proximity to New York City enriches the curriculum and provides incomparable opportunities for internships and experiential learning programs, while our event series offer opportunities right on campus.
Great Writers, Great Readings
Brings a notable author to campus to meet with creative writing students for a short workshop and question/answer session, and a reading and book signing that is open to the public.
Internships
Many of our students intern in a variety of industries and non-profit organizations as well as in publishing.
World Changers
Six publishing studies students piled into an airport van to head for Tampa for the annual Association of Writing Programs and Professionals conference, the largest single gathering of writers in the U.S.
Hofstra English Society
The Hofstra English Society (HES) is a close-knit community of students who organize social events, networking events, and host readings of student work. HES publishes the student journals Font and Growl (see more about Literary Journals below).
Junior and senior publishing studies students earn credit toward their degree editing, producing, and promoting this in-house literary journal.
Sigma Tau Delta
Hofstra is home to a chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society. The department sends invitations to eligible juniors and seniors in the spring semester.
Departmental Honors
Advanced students may choose to earn departmental honors by completing an honors project, either a researched essay or a creative manuscript. To be eligible for departmental honors, students must have completed 60 semester hours in residence at Hofstra, have a 3.5 GPA or higher in the major, and a 3.4 cumulative GPA. Interested students should consult with a departmental advisor and/or a faculty member who they would like to direct their honors project.
Your Future
Career Potential
By studying literature, English majors develop skills that are valued in every profession – the ability to analyze, interpret, synthesize, write, and explain complex information in clear, concise, and thoughtful ways.
About the Department
The English Department offers a BA in English with a full range of courses in English, American, and Anglophone literatures; creative writing; and publishing. We also offer minors in English; Creative Writing; Publishing Studies; Medicine, Culture, and Society; and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Publishing Studies.
For advisement on majoring or minoring in English, contact the English Department office.
English Department Office
204 Mason Hall
(516) 463-5454
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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Department Chair
Dr. Karyn Valerius
201 Mason Hall
(516) 463-5455
Send an Email
Secretary to the Chair
Suzanne Viggiano
516-463-5453