Vibrant community
Our tight-knit group of students build community through events like our visits to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Sigma Tau Delta’s Halloween Horror Trivia Party, and The Tower’s Valentine’s Day “Love Poetry Contest.”
Distinguished guests
UM regularly hosts readings and discussions with local and nationally known authors through organizations like the Poetry@UM Reading Series and the BACHE Visiting Writers’ Series. Recent visiting writers have included PEN Literary Award Winner Jean Guerrero, New York Times bestseller Michael Tisserand, Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Tretheway, and current US Poet Laureate Ada Limón.
Innovative experiences
Initiatives like the Walden Studio, visits to New Orleans, and classes on cooking in the time of Shakespeare connect the study of language and literature to real world experience.
Award-winning faculty
Nationally acclaimed writer and UM creative writing professor Ashley Wurzbacher releases her new novel How To Care For a Human Girl with Atria Books this year.
Why English?
The study of English language and literature enrich students’ lives by engaging with evocative authors,
ideas, and language across historical periods, cultures, and national literatures. Because people read to be entertained, to be surprised, and to be inspired, we believe that all students benefit from integrating literature with writing on analytical, creative, and professional levels.
The University of Montevallo was recently ranked as the TOP UNIVERSITY in Alabama for the study of English Language and Literature according to Niche’s 2023 Best Colleges for English in Alabama.
Are you ready to begin your journey?
The study of English language and literature provides valuable training in critical thinking, leadership, and communication while introducing students to a variety of artistic, historical, and global, and historical perspectives. The preparation offered by an English major enriches the lives of our students while providing skills that help them succeed in their careers. English majors find employment in a wide range of fields, from education and non-profit organizations to business and financial relations to healthcare and law.
Did you know that?
• 96% of English degree holders would major or minor in English again.
• 87% of English and other humanities degree holders report high levels of job satisfaction
with rates that match or exceed nearly every other field.
• Nearly 60% of humanities majors have jobs that involve managing or supervising.
• The median salary and employment rates of English degree holders are comparable to
or exceed other sought-after degrees including psychology, legal studies,
communications, and neuroscience.
Graduate School Placements for UM English Students
University of Edinburgh
Indiana University
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts—Amherst
University of Nebraska—Lincoln
University of Alabama Law School
Washington and Lee School of Law
University of Oregon
Careers for UM English Alumni
Assistant Professor of English, New York University
Director of content and strategy at The Foundry at Dotdash Meredith (largest digital and
print publisher in America)
Attorney, Hughes & Scalise Law Firm
Copy editor, People Magazine
Corporate Strategist, Toyota
Filmmaker (winner of prestigious Tribeca Film Festival Jury Prize)
Digital Producer, CBS 42
Professor of Digital Rhetoric, University of Rhode Island
Medical Librarian, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Children’s Therapist at Alabama Child & Adolescent Counseling
Communication Manager, Cahaba River Society
Teacher, Alabaster City Schools
Alumnus Perspective
“Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to career choices — the skills you’re going to learn as a UM English major will help you wherever you end up. Whether you decide to teach, work in marketing, or something completely different, having the ability to see things from different perspectives and communicate your thoughts clearly will take you far.” — Madison Griggs ‘17, Writer and Editor
Why Study English?
- Scholarships
- Ways to Get Involved
The Tower
The Alabamian
Montage
Poetry @UM
Sigma Tau Delta
Writer’s Club
Harbert Writing Center
Walden Studio - Courses of Study
English B.A.
English Minor
Creative Writing Minor
Professional Writing Minor
English Master’s (M.A.) - Our Faculty
English Faculty