English

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta is a long-established international English honor society dedicated to academic excellence and literacy.  OBU students attend the annual convention nearly every year, often presenting their research or creative works. Several of our students have served as regional representatives to Sigma Tau Delta’s national Board, and gained valuable leadership experience as they network with other students across the nation. OBU’s chapter is active on campus and in the community and is also a way to build strong relationships between English or Creative Writing majors and faculty.

The English program partners with programs in countries across the globe. English majors have found study abroad especially rewarding, embracing opportunities to learn in Rome, London, Ecuador, Oxford and beyond. Through various cultural and community service opportunities, coupled with coursework, students are enriched, educated and encouraged through these experiences. 

English majors must declare a minor area of study and also have twelve elective hours in their degree plan. As a result, students often seek a double major or double minor to enhance career prospects. An English major may be paired with any other Bachelor of Arts major; students may select any minor(s) that OBU offers. Minors found within the Language and Literature division include Spanish, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Professional Writing and Editing, English and Creative Writing.  

As an English student, you may choose to enroll in an independent study course. In doing so, you will work one-on-one with a professor to pursue a deeper understanding of a topic of mutual interest. Oftentimes, independent study will lead to a thesis project.

English majors can also apply to join OBU’s Honors Program. As an honors student, you can complete a thesis project during your final year at OBU.

In each English course, professors and students explore the connection of faith to learning. Ongoing discussions take place in class. While we integrate faith in all our courses, our capstone Theology, Literature and Writing course ensures students graduate with a robust understanding of how Christian faith relates to our discipline. Faculty members in each course instill a solid foundation of faith and biblical perspective through their instruction and personal lives.

A degree in English opens the doors to a multitude of career opportunities including lawyers, editors, novelists, research specialists, web content specialists, librarians, counselors and teachers in public or private schools. Graduates may also choose to work in humanitarian aid, in ministry, as grant writers or as a university professor or in communications or marketing.

Employers of recent graduates include:

• Aristoi Classical Academy
• Mentoring Alliance Summer Camp
• The Academy of Classical Christian Studies
• Reaching Souls International
• OBU Library
• Second Baptist Church, Houston, TX
• National American Insurance Company
• Many public and private education institutions

 Graduates have continued on to graduate school at these institutions:

• Grand Canyon University (graduate program in English Education)
• University of Arkansas (graduate program in English)
• University of Oklahoma (graduate programs in English, Library and Information Science)
• University of Nottingham (graduate program in English)
• University of Louisiana-Lafayette (graduate program in English)
• University of Mississippi (graduate program in English)
• University of North Texas (graduate program in Library and Information Science)
• University of St. Thomas (graduate program in Creative Writing)
• University of Tulsa (graduate program in English)
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (graduate program in Literature and Cultural Theory)
• Wake Forest University (graduate program in English Education)