The English Major
Concentrations in literature, creative writing, teaching, and professional and technical writing ignite your passion while preparing you for the work world.
Reed Magazine
Published annually, SJSU's Reed Magazine features fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art, as well as interviews and profiles on notable Bay Area authors.
SJSU Rated in the Top 10 Best Best Public Colleges for English Majors
More students from San José State find their way into Silicon Valley firms than any other school. Read more. Photo credit: D. Schmitz
MFA Thesis Reading & Celebration
Welcome to the Department of English and Comparative Literature
Due to the shelter in place initiative, the English department office is working remotely until further notice. To receive help from our staff you may call (408) 924-4663 or email english@sjsu.edu for further assistance.
The Place for You!
So, whether you want to work on Reed Magazine, the oldest literary journal west of the Mississippi, read literary classics, attend readings by local and high-profile writers, or learn about a career in technical writing, the Department of English and Comparative Literature is the place for you!
MFA and MA Programs
Our MFA program, the Literary Incubator in the Heart of the Silicon Valley, offers a rich opportunity for students to pursue their craft with active, publishing faculty and talented peers who go on to vibrant publishing careers. Our M.A. offers a great opportunity to expand your literary horizons with a program perfectly suited to working adults.
Four Undergraduate Concentrations
Our department offers four B.A. concentrations that include focuses on literature, creative writing, teaching, and technical writing, as well as strong graduate programs in creative writing and literature. The department also houses the composition program in which undergraduates complete their general education writing requirements.
Scholarships and Opportunities
We have very generous scholarships and awards for both undergrads and graduates, and all of our students benefit from the Center for the Literary Arts' programming and the Lurie Chair, a prestigious award that funds spring semester residencies for highly distinguished writers.
Award Winning Faculty
Our faculty are committed to student success, and many have won recent teaching awards marking their successes in the classroom. Our alums are employed throughout the Bay Area in positions that draw upon their training as English majors, showing how practicality meets passion in our department.
Join the English Department Google Email Group!
Majors/Minors: Send an email to
engdept-group+subscribe@sjsu.edu
MFA/MAs: Send an email to
enggrad-group+subscribe@sjsu.edu
Impaction Statement
The Department of English and Comparative Literature welcomes all students admitted to the University. There are no extra criteria for admission to the Department's major programs. University policies relating to disqualification and probation may be accessed at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/.