Department of

English

You are sure to find your niche in a nurturing department where our faculty of nationally recognized literary scholars, editors, novelists, poets, playwrights, and popular writers have interests ranging from Shakespeare to Jane Austen to Toni Morrison, from climate change to disability studies to feminist and queer studies, from the sonnet tradition to Gothic fiction and graphic novels. 

In the Classroom

Our Programs

Hofstra University's Department of English offers undergraduate concentrations in Literatures in English, Creative Writing, Publishing Studies, and Children's and Young Adult Literature.

The Student Experience

Hofstra's proximity to New York City enriches the curriculum and provides incomparable opportunities for internships and experiential learning programs, while our event series offer opportunities right on campus.

Great Writers, Great Readings

Great Writers, Great Readings

Brings a notable author to campus to meet with creative writing students for a short workshop and question/answer session, and a reading and book signing that is open to the public.

Intern

Internships

Many of our students intern in a variety of industries and non-profit organizations as well as in publishing. 

WorldChangers

World Changers

Six publishing studies students piled into an airport van to head for Tampa for the annual Association of Writing Programs and Professionals conference, the largest single gathering of writers in the U.S.

Font

Hofstra English Society

The Hofstra English Society (HES) is a close-knit community of students who organize social events, networking events, and host readings of student work. HES publishes the student journals Font and Growl (see more about Literary Journals below).

Windmill

Junior and senior publishing studies students earn credit toward their degree editing, producing, and promoting this in-house literary journal.

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta

Hofstra is home to a chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society. The department sends invitations to eligible juniors and seniors in the spring semester.

Departmental Honors

Advanced students may choose to earn departmental honors by completing an honors project, either a researched essay or a creative manuscript. To be eligible for departmental honors, students must have completed 60 semester hours in residence at Hofstra, have a 3.5 GPA or higher in the major, and a 3.4 cumulative GPA. Interested students should consult with a departmental advisor and/or a faculty member who they would like to direct their honors project.

Your Future

Career Potential

By studying literature, English majors develop skills that are valued in every profession – the ability to analyze, interpret, synthesize, write, and explain complex information in clear, concise, and thoughtful ways.

Get Published

Literary Journals

As a student, you can get published or play a role in publishing one of our literary journals.

About the Department

The English Department offers a BA in English with a full range of courses in English, American, and Anglophone literatures; creative writing; and publishing. We also offer minors in English; Creative Writing; Publishing Studies; Medicine, Culture, and Society; and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Publishing Studies.

For advisement on majoring or minoring in English, contact the English Department office.

Learn More

Questions about our programs?

English Department Office

204 Mason Hall
(516) 463-5454
Office Hours: 
Monday-Friday 
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Send an Email

Department Chair

Dr. Karyn Valerius
201 Mason Hall
(516) 463-5455
Send an Email

Secretary to the Chair

Suzanne Viggiano 
516-463-5453