Department of English Language & Literature

Discover what you can do with a degree in English!

Imagine immersing yourself in the exploration of diverse texts and language practices. Picture classes where analysis meets imagination, and your education becomes a dynamic, collaborative intellectual journey. What if your learning could turn ideas into influence, and words into social action?

Learn about our programs →
Check out upcoming events — and join us →

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Why Study English at SF State?

The Department of English consists of vibrant and interdisciplinary programs to study communicative practices of cultures and writers all over the world. We have a robust and talented faculty who engage with our undergraduate and graduate students and offer advising and mentorship throughout your time at SFSU.

Our diverse array of courses will inspire new thinking about who majors in English and where an English degree can take you. Across our degree programs in literatures, writing, linguistics, and education, you’ll see a commitment to the study of English in global contexts.

Our student-centered classrooms offer opportunities to use multiple technologies, modalities, genres, and theoretical frameworks to read critically the word and the world around us, with an eye toward writing the future. Check out the resources and opportunities that await you: 

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What's Going on in the English Department?

TESOL 6 for 60 Founders

The TESOL Program Celebrates 60 Years!

Friday, April 11 marks the end of our 6 for 60 celebration in honor of the TESOL Programs 60th anniversary!

Dean's List Fall 2024

The Fall 2024 Dean's List has been published!

Each semester, we highlight the English students whose academic achievements earn them a place on the LCA Dean's List. Congratulations to every English student on the Fall 2024 Dean's List, we're thrilled to see your hard work rewarded!

TESOL 6 for 60 IG

Join us for the TESOL 6 for 60 Celebration!

Join the SFSU MA TESOL Program for 6 for 60 Celebrating MA TESOL: Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS)! Come celebrate our founders during the final event on April 11!

Check out our upcoming events and recent news!

Events

May
09
Fri, May 09, 10:00 am
Humanities 485
May
21
Wed, May 21, 02:30 pm
McKenna Auditorium

News

TESOL 6 for 60 Founders
The TESOL Program Celebrates 60 Years!
Friday April 11 marked the final event in the 6 for 60 celebration, a series of six events held to commemorate the 60th anni…
Dean's List Fall 2024
The Fall 2024 Dean's List has been published!
Happy Spring Break! We hope that our students and faculty are enjoying the warm weather we've been seeing this week! While o…
6 for 60 Celebrating MA TESOL: Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS)
Join the SFSU MA TESOL Program for 6 for 60 Celebrating MA TESOL: Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS)! We want to br…
A Message from Maricel Santos, Chair of the English Department
On this surreal Wednesday morning, I'm trying to get myself to a place of reflective calm  — and I'm not succeeding. As Engl…