Bachelor of Arts in English

With a diverse and flexible curriculum that provides broad expertise in writing, literature, and linguistics, the BA in English offers you the opportunity to hone in-demand skills such as communication, critical thinking, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, empathy, and more.

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A group of four people engaged in a discussion at a table in a library, with laptops and books in front of them.

A BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint is a foundational degree that prepares you with the skills and experience you need to adapt easily in an ever-evolving economy.

Develop and enhance your skills in an array of highly transferable skills, including active listening, analytical reading, professional writing, linguistic sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and critical and literary analysis
Collaborate closely with faculty and classmates while engaging in co-curricular activities such as producing the student newspaper, The Michigan Times, or the semi-annual fine art and literary magazine, Qua
Take your theoretical coursework into the real world through positions as a local tutor or by engaging in faculty-led research opportunities

Faculty Spotlight

UM-Flint’s Kietzman releases new guidebook exploring regional watershed

Inspired by the Federal Writers Project in the 1930s, UM-Flint Professor of English Mary Jo Kietzman began collaborating with students, faculty, staff, and local community members to create Exploring Mid-Michigan, a guide to the region through the lens of its watershed.

Why earn your bachelor’s degree in English at UM-Flint?

Engage with exceptional faculty & staff

Our faculty come to us with deep backgrounds in their fields of practice, and they’ve joined UM-Flint because they love teaching and helping students succeed.

You’ll receive regular one-on-one guidance, opportunities to collaborate, and focused mentorship designed to ensure you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Meet our English Faculty

Connect with the greater Flint community

We partner with local organizations on research and community outreach, affording you a selection of internship or volunteer opportunities, including:

Expand your expertise

Choose from an array of minors and certificates that offer highly marketable skills and experience. A few complementary programs include:

Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!

UM-Flint students are automatically considered for the Go Blue Guarantee upon admission, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.

Learn about affordability

Curriculum Overview

Your BA in English builds on foundational concepts, expands to application and specialization, and helps you prepare for your career.

Foundation & Core Courses

In addition to completing foreign language and US diversity and global studies courses, you’ll lay the foundation of your degree through courses in literary analysis, composition, and linguistics.

Application, Advanced & Elective Courses

Application courses such as public and professional writing or American literature give you the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques you’ve learned so far. You’ll then explore more advanced topics such as language variation, rhetoric, or literary criticism.

Career Preparation

You’ll engage in a career preparation course, develop an individual writing portfolio, and specialize your learning through one of five suggested pathways: creative writing, linguistics, literature, TESOL certificate, or writing studies.

Explore our English curriculum

Career Outlook

Your Bachelor of Arts in English degree from UM-Flint will open the door to a wide range of career options.

Here is a selection of career paths our alumni have taken, along with their median annual pay as of 2024:

Editors: $75,260
High School Teachers: $64,580
News Analysts, Reporters & Journalists: $60,280
Postsecondary Teachers: $83,980

Admission Requirements

Whether you’re a first-year student or a transfer student, we aim to keep the admissions process simple, saving you time and money. We accept applications on a rolling basis; however, we recommend submitting all application materials at least 1 month before you plan to start your first semester. Review our academic calendars to learn more.

When applying to UM-Flint’s BA in English program, please submit the following:

A completed online or paper application
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Review UM-Flint’s complete undergraduate admission requirements.

Have questions about our admissions requirements or application process? Please contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions.flint@umich.edu for more detailed information.

Academic Advisor

Nicole Altheide Academic Advisor/Counselor Senior

nrock@umich.edu

810-762-3096

Scholarships for English students

UM-Flint provides scholarships specifically for English majors. They include:

Ellen Bommarito Book Fund
Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Writing Specialization Scholarship
Richard S. Harris Scholarship Fund
C. Scott Russell Scholarship

A.J. Trela Scholarship
Ruby Trela Scholarship
University of Michigan-Flint Shakespeare Club of Flint Scholarship
Elizabeth L. White Scholarship Fund

Our Office of Financial Aid offers a variety of other scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study positions. They’re all part of our effort to make your world-class University of Michigan-Flint education affordable.