College Of Humanities and Fine Arts

English

In Chico State’s Department of English, we make sense of language in its stunning diversity. We cultivate readers, writers, teachers, editors, researchers, thinkers, and problem-solvers. We equip students with the tools to make connections across time and cultures, creating meaning through arguments, stories, and research.

Our wide-ranging curriculum, both undergraduate and graduate, demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity. We welcome all students regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability, religion, nationality, political affiliation, or immigration status.


Majors, Minors, and Degrees

See the course listings, descriptions, and requirements for each academic offering from the Department of English.

Student reading


The Master of Arts in English

Application Deadline: April 1st

The Master of Arts in English program at Chico State University welcomes all students in the major who are interested in further postgraduate studying in English. The program is designed for students to study literature, linguistics, rhetoric and composition, grammar, literacy, and creative writing at advanced levels.

English MA students


Why Choose English at Chico State

English Student

Versatile English Graduates Thrive

English program graduates are ready to work in an array of career fields that make a difference: law, publishing, entertainment, corporate management, education, grant writing, consulting, project development, nonprofit administration, and more.

English Student

Empower Your Problem-Solving

Innovative, diverse, relevant, and contemporary curricula – from analyzing graphic novels to writing technical documents about the zombie apocalypse – provides students with the critical perspective needed in real-world problem solving.

English Students

Accessible Education, Low Cost

Low cost major: inexpensive textbooks in many classes, with high percentage of zero-cost course material classes.

Watershed Review Logo

Become a Watershed Review Editor

Students edit and publish Watershed Review, one of the nation’s oldest continuously-published, student-run literary magazines.


Learning Experience

Hands-On Linguistics Research

Students participate in research studies in the Linguistics Lab, utilizing eye tracking, ultrasound, and other cutting edge equipment.

Exciting Writing Expeditions

Student-led writing challenges invite English students to explore Chico’s beautiful downtown and parks while honing creative & technical writing skills.

English student


Student Life

Join a Vibrant English Community

Student-led English Society and Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society chapter offers a slate of engaging activities each semester to help English students connect with each other, learn together, have fun, and serve the community.

Personalized Major Support

Caring and compassionate faculty provide personalized support for students as they transition to college and face academic and personal challenges.

Advisors make sure students are on track with their majors, minors, certificates, and general education

students in class


Student and Alumni Stories

A portrait of Ben Vandersluis.

Grad Student and Horror Fan LEAPs into Editing and Publishing

Horror publisher Benjamin Vandersluis credits Chico State’s “killer” English Department for expanding his view of the genre and sparking his love for literary editing and publishing.

A book, titled "How the Word is Passed, sits on a ledge

Deep Look into America’s Relationship with Slavery Named Book in Common for 2023-24

Confronting America's legacy of slavery, the selection for the 2023-24 Book in Common is Clint Smith's “How the Word is Passed.”

Contact Information

Department of English

Mailing Address
400 W. First St.
Chico, CA 95929-0830

Location
Arts & Humanities Building, Room 269
530-898-5124
englishstudent@csuchico.edu

Faculty and Staff Directory

Arts and Humanities building

Choose Chico

With one of the highest 4-year graduation rates in the CSU system and lowest average student debt amounts in the country, Chico State offers one of the nation’s highest returns on investment.

Grad cap that reads Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat