CU Denver’s English Department has two different majors, one of which divides into two separate tracks; students can major or minor in the following:
- English – Creative Writing
- English – Literature & Film
- English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology (EWRT)
Students can also enhance their degrees with one of our certificates, which often overlap with major and minor requirements. Certificates include:
- Technical and Professional Writing
- Creative Nonfiction
- Writing and Editing with AI
- Proposal and Grant Writing
- Teaching English Language Learners
English and EWRT Majors and Minors can take workshops in Poetry Writing, Fiction Writing, and Creative Nonfiction Writing, as well as classes such as “Greatest Hits” in Literature and Film; Grammar, Rhetoric, and Style; Digital Writing and Storytelling; Podcasting; Magazine Writing; Technical Writing; Language Theory; “From Literature into Film”; Race and Ethnicity in American Literature; Writing in the Sciences; Technical Editing; Argumentation and Logic; Literary Editing; the American Short Story; Film Theory and Criticism; Survey of Feminist Thought; “Whores and Saints”; Contemporary World Literature; Poetics; and Teaching English Language Learners.
Outside of courses, students can work closely with faculty on a variety of research and creative projects. They can intern or volunteer to work on the nationally renowned literary journal Copper Nickel and can undertake a range of internships–in technical writing, grant writing, public and advocacy writing, literary publishing, teaching, and more.
And what about after graduation? According to the Wall Street Journal Report on Salaries by College Major, English majors’ mid-career salaries are in line with those of Biology, Geography, and Nursing majors and higher than those of Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Health Care Administration majors. Our alumni are writers, lawyers, content editors, podcast producers, marketers, grant writers, communications specialists, teachers, and professors.
Program Features
Creative Writing Reading Series
Every year, the creative writing program hosts the annual Jake Adam York Memorial Reading and invites several distinguished writers to campus to give a public reading and engage with students.
CU Denver’s Department of English offers you a multitude of ways to get involved and actively apply what you are learning to real-world scenarios. We offer more than just high-level courses and curriculum. Connect with your peers and teachers, hone your craft, engage in client-led learning projects, network with potential employers and partners, participate in writing-focused internships, and more.
Find Community in a Historic Location
The Department of English is located on the Historic Ninth Street Park of the Auraria Campus. As one of our majors, you will have exclusive access to the CU Denver English Student Lounge where our students can connect, study, and share your work.
Copper Nickel: A Literary Journal
Housed in the English Department at CU Denver and produced collaboratively by faculty and student editors, Copper Nickel is a national literary magazine that publishes about 0.5% of the submissions it receives from all over the world. Student editors participate in screening submissions, promotion, design, proofreading, subscription drives, management, etc.
Culture Klasch Podcast
CultureKlatsch is a student-led podcast housed in CU Denver’s English Department. It examines the narratives that are most relevant to the current cultural moment and extends conversations about contemporary and local culture by sharing nuanced, perceptive commentary on the stories and issues that matter most.
Careers
Alumni: Samantha McClain
After graduating with her degree in English, Writing, Rhetoric, & Technology (EWRT), Samantha McClain applied for several positions, and, though she had no prior direct experience in the field of grant writing, she had a strong background in writing and was offered her current job. She says, “Studying at CU Denver opened up a lot of opportunities and made me well rounded. By the time I graduated, I was well prepared to write my resume/CV and apply for jobs. Because of my education, I was a good fit for many different career paths and was offered multiple positions.”
—Samantha McClain, ’21,
Nonprofit Liaison & Grant Writer, Arula Consulting
Your job choices go beyond the obvious options of teaching, attending graduate school, or becoming a writer.
As an English major, you will learn to skillfully and eloquently present your ideas and opinions through writing, analyzing material, and communicating effectively. You will be ready for careers in fields where the sophisticated use of language is necessary for advancement. Your degree is useful in almost any field and will provide a strong foundation for a variety of career opportunities.
Writing careers include:
- Professional Writing and Editing
- Journalism
- Broadcasting
- Entertainment
- Sales and marketing
- Business
- Management
- Government
- Law
- Medicine
- Education and teaching
Inclusion is our value
CU Denver is home to one of the most diverse student populations in Colorado.
- Join your choice of 100+ student groups and organizations which support your identity and interests
- Your department and faculty are committed to the pursuit of equity and inclusion in the classroom, lab, and beyond
- Learn more at our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Find your people
Campus can feel like a huge place. We help you find your people by offering the experience of a more traditional, small liberal arts program—for a fraction of the cost. We offer a variety of clubs and networking opportunities.
Ahja Fox, Poet Laureate of Aurora
Just one year after she graduated from CU Denver in the spring of 2021, Ahja Fox was appointed the Poet Laureate of Aurora, Colorado, a position that allows her to represent poetry in her home city, to create poetry-related programming, and to speak about poetry in schools and universities. She has also written two poetry manuscripts and gained experience as a literary editor and judge. She writes, “The University of Colorado Denver gave me the tools and knowledge necessary to do each of these jobs with authority and confidence. I’ve gained these successes much earlier in life than I initially thought possible.”
—Ahja Fox, ’21
Poet Laureate of Aurora, Colorado