Overview

The English BA program from Portland State University provides a foundation in literature, rhetoric, composition, and critical theory. You will study text and writing that represents many cultures and historical periods and learn critical approaches to texts and issues that enable you to interpret and compare positions, to read closely, critically, and with empathy. You will gain skills by conducting your own research, weighing evidence, and writing with insight and expertise with guidance from our dedicated expert faculty.

We prepare our students for careers in writing and teaching, as well as professions requiring high levels of literacy and critical thought, including law and business.

The major is grounded in critical and theoretical approaches to literary study and requires a 20-credit sequence of core courses designed to ensure a thorough understanding of the methodologies of the field, in addition to allowing a variety of elective coursework in literature and writing courses in literary studies, film and digital media analysis, and publishing, creative writing, and technical writing. The department also offers an undergraduate degree in creative writing, minors in English, writing and film studies, and a certificate in comics studies.

Career opportunities:

Students who major in English go on to careers in many different fields, from politics to book-editing. Writing skills are valuable in every industry, and we prepare our students to be adaptable and thoughtful communicators. Graduates of Portland State’s English program have gone on to careers in education, writing, book publishing, journalism, advertising, communications, politics, public affairs, law enforcement, and even science and technology.

Many of our graduates have pursued graduate degrees in law, creative writing, journalism, business, book publishing, public affairs, and even medicine.

The writing and analytical skills of the English major have long made it a popular major to take before law school—two current Oregon Supreme Court justices were English majors. English is finding increasing interest in medical school admissions, as communication skills are increasingly valued in healthcare and health administration.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Women’s Literature

Topics in Shakespearean Genre: Tragedy

History of Cinema and Narrative Media

Digital Literacy Studies

Comics Theory

Poetry Writing

Writing Comics

Document Design

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-05 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

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IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

180 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Language Studies View 2637 other Bachelors in Language Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You may be admitted to Portland State University and an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway if you do not meet PSU's English Language Proficiency Requirement. Learn more about PSU’s English language programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Out-of-State

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12999 USD / year

≈ 12999 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for English.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Career opportunities:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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