Explore English at Aquinas 

English Degrees at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

The English Department serves the students, campus, and community through the study of literature, writing, language, and theory. The Department prepares students for graduate programs and for careers in fields such as teaching, journalism, advertising, public relations, law, business, library science, professional writing, and editing for publications.

We hope to provide students with a broad knowledge of the history and development of literature in English, as well as to develop their reading, writing, speaking, critical and analytical skills to prepare them for graduate studies and careers. We also hope to instill in students an appreciation for literature as a means of understanding human experience.

 

It's Time to Write Your Future

Career Preparation based on leadership

Anton Treuer speaking at a podium

Contemporary Writers Series

Each year, the Contemporary Writers Series brings celebrated writers conduct workshops on campus, including Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney; author of The English Patient Michael Ondaatje; recipient of the National Book Award Jaimy Gordon; and popular performance poet Sarah Kay.

a Reflection on a window of students gathered at a table talking

Alpha Chi Iota

ACI serves as Aquinas College’s Chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta national English honors society and seeks to uphold its mission to “confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature,” to “foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language and writing,” to “exhibit high stands of academic excellence,” and to “serve society by fostering literacy.”

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The Saint

Students love Aquinas for its small classes, personal attention, access to faculty, and hands-on experiences.

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The Sampler

You can learn through volunteer activities and field trips to medical and research facilities.

Library and books

Student Research

 

Check out the current and past research that Aquinas students do with faculty to further the world's knowledge.Read More about Student Research

 

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Common Career Paths

  • Creative Writing
    • Fiction and nonfiction
    • Poetry, plays, screenplays, and scripts
    • Commercial writing (e.g. greeting cards, jingles)
  • Journalism:
    • Writing/Reporting
    • Podcast script writing
    • Editing
    • Critique
  • Professional writing
    • Copywriting and editing
    • Blogging
    • Speech writing
    • Column writing
    • Social media writing and management

To learn more about careers, make an appointment with the AQ Advantage Center.

Occupational Employment and Wages - May 2023

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Writers and Authors:

Employment Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage
49,450 $42.11 $87,590

 

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50% 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $19.67 $25.32 $35.43 $48.55 $71.27
Annual Wage $40,900 $52,660 $73,690 $100,990 $148,240

For more information see: Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

Student Profiles

Graduate School

We have collected resources to help you create an effective graduate school application.

Graduate with a cap decorated with stars that reads All Thanks to the Stars Who Taught Me How To Shine

Alumni Profiles

AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.

News from the English Department

Alumni Spotlight: Anna Skog

Alumni Spotlight: Anna Skog

February 5, 2025

Anna Skog ’21, who dual-majored in English Writing and Communication, has graciously shared her success story in becoming a Digital Content Producer for WOOD TV8.

Student Symposium

Student Symposium Creates a Space for Significant Contributions to Academia

December 13, 2024

Aquinas College recently held the 2024 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Symposium, a twice-annual event that showcases the quality and diversity of AQ's research.

Ingrid Vredevoogd

Alumni Spotlight: Ingrid Vredevoogd

September 9, 2024

Not every teacher gets to return to the high school where they graduated. But for Ingrid Vredevoogd, who earned her Accelerated Master in Education (AME) at AQ this past spring, returning to Grandville to teach felt like returning home.

Stacy in her classroom

Alumni Spotlight: Stacy Fellows

August 9, 2024

Stacy has recently graduated from AQ with her Early Childhood Education degree and is currently finishing her Accelerated Master’s in Education (AME).

Professor Barbara McCargar, Professor Jennifer Dawson and Professor Michelle DeRose

Honoring Aquinas College’s Newest Emerita Faculty

May 20, 2024

Aquinas College proudly conferred emerita status on three distinguished faculty members: Professor Barbara McCargar, Professor Jennifer Dawson and Professor Michelle DeRose.