Frequently Asked Questions
What skills and abilities do I need to excel in this major?
The English major (or minor) at CMU will demonstrate that she or he has
acquired knowledge of the history and development of Anglophone
literatures, both classic and modern; will demonstrate the ability to
analyze and interpret literary texts, with awareness of the underlying
assumptions that shape that understanding; will demonstrate the skills
of drafting and revising a written text with a strong sense of
organization, clarity, coherence, and style; will convey a deepened
sense of the complexity and value of human life, as experienced through
the literary arts and related areas of knowledge or creativity.
What opportunities are there for internships or other hands-on
learning experiences?
We have placed students in publishing internships at the University of
Missouri Press and at Missouri Life Magazine. We will work to find the
right internship for an English major’s interests and abilities.
What are some possible entry-level careers with a degree in this
field?
English majors might further their education in graduate school, law, or
medical schools. They also might pursue careers in public relations,
publishing, business writers, business, journalism, and teaching. Our
majors are prepared for a variety of positions in a variety of fields
because their training is in close textual readings, oral and written
communication skills, and critical thinking.
What are some CMU graduates with this degree doing?
Jennifer Mahon Ludwig '04 teaches at Moberly (Missouri) High School.
Tiffany Brown '03 teaches at Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Mo.
Sean McCabe '03 now teaches in Mesa, Ariz.
Daren Dean '01 is completing a graduate degree in creative writing at
the University of North Caroline-Wilmington; his first novel is
forthcoming.
Kasie Parks Meyer '02 is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration
degree at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Keely Harris Scott '00 teaches at Rolla High School after completing her
Master’s degree in English at Southwest Missouri State University.
Amanda Fritz Humphrey '97 practices law in St. Louis after graduating
from the St. Louis University School of Law.
Jason Lewis '96 directs a prison education program and, as a freelance
writer, has published in Outdoor magazine.
Other items to note
We have an active chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English
Honor Society.
Our arts journal, Inscape, offers an opportunity for students to get
experience publishing a magazine. Inscape won first prize in the 2006
Sigma Tau Delta Literary Arts Journal national competitions.
CMU belongs to the Missouri London Consortium, a study-abroad program
based at Imperial College, London. We encourage our majors to further
their studies with this or other study-abroad opportunities, and we have
some scholarship support for study abroad.
Our English majors who are certified in secondary education have had
great success in their final certification examinations and in finding
teaching positions. Tiffany Brown (2004) and Erin Matteson (2007) both
scored in the 95th percentile nationally on the Praxis examination.
Matteson and Whitney Austin (2007) scored in the 95th percentile
nationally of the Major Field Examination in English.
