What is English?

The Hesston College English program offers a series of writing, literature and language courses to prepare students to complete a four-year degree for a variety of academic and career paths.

Success Factors

English students often thrive when they can explore new ways of seeing the world, think for themselves and have opportunities to voice their opinions. As avid readers and writers, English majors develop into skilled communicators, careful researchers and thoughtful contributors in many different fields.

Career Possibilities

Creative writing: books, poetry, plays, screenplays, scripts; Journalism and publishing: writing, reporting, freelance writing and editing, copy-editing, copy writing, advertising, technical writing, science and medical writing; Education: classroom teaching, English education, academic administration, student affairs, English as a Second Language (ESL), academic advising, writing program administration; Library Information Science; Museum studies; Pre-law; Religious studies and ministry; Business: management, sales and marketing, advertising and new media, publicity, human resources, insurance claims and underwriting; Public relations: account coordination and management, media relations.

Majoring in English

Hesston College Writing Assistants program

This unique opportunity gives students hands-on experience in a writing center environment.

Develop exceptional critical thinking skills

In spring 2015, Hesston College’s top sophomores outperformed seniors at four-year colleges across the country in objective tests of higher-order thinking skills (75th percentile scores compared to 75th percentile of seniors on CLA+ assessment).

Develop excellent writing skills

Graduating Hesston College sophomores were more likely to receive a 4 or higher in “Writing Effectiveness” than graduating college seniors (51% of Hesston College sophomores compared to 47% of graduating seniors across the country on the Spring 2015 CLA+ assessment).

Broaden your horizons

Hesston College English courses invite students to explore our diverse world and to discover their own experiences in a new way.

Get hands-on writing experience

Writing and publication opportunities are available with Acuity, a journal of writing and art.

Cultivate leadership skills

The English program prepares students for leadership roles in places of employment, and for other fields such as law, library science and business.

Plan of study

English curriculum

The English curriculm prepares students with the writing, reading and thinking skills necessary for the academy and the workplace. Academic advisors work one-on-one with students to ensure requirements are met for a seamless transition to continuing education and professional careers.

The Hesston College advantage

At Hesston College, the education, curriculum, academic divisions and student development programs offer opportunities for students to develop as persons with intellectual and practical skills, who understand human cultures and the natural world, while forming them into persons of individualized and social responsibility, who understand faith through an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective and persons able to integrate and apply learning.