Opportunities for High-Achieving Students in English

If you're an academic high achiever, we know that often you want extra opportunities to learn, develop, and be recognized. Below are our organized options--but if there's something you want and don't see here, just ask us! We love working with students to create special opportunities for their unique interests and talents.

Honors & Scholarships

• In addition to University Honors, qualified students may pursue departmental honors in English. University Honors focuses on the general education portion of your education, while department honors focuses on honors work in the major. Students who qualify can complete either program or both.
• Students who pursue University Honors should of course apply for scholarships available through the Honors College, but all high-achieving English majors should also apply for all the scholarships in English for which they are eligible.

Accelerated BA/MA

• Qualified students who are considering completing an MA in English after their BA may participate in our accelerated BA/MA program, which allows students to double-count up to 9 credits of graduate work, taken during junior or senior year, in both their BA and their MA.
• The accelerated BA/MA allows students to challenge themselves while saving both time and money.
• Students do not have to immediately continue to the MA after the BA; your graduate credits will be waiting for you when you're ready.

Sigma Tau Delta

• In addition to our other student organizations, open to all students, Eastern is home to a chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the national honorary society for English majors.
• Sigma isn't just an honor; it's an active student group. Among other things, students typically raise funds to allow them to travel to the national student conference.

Research and Creative Activity

• Whether or not you participate in an official honors program, you can challenge yourself by taking on an individual project with the mentorship of a faculty member. Students can apply for funding for these projects through the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities fund. 
• With an URSCA grant or without one, students can pursue an independent study course (which can replace another required course in the major) to work on a research or creative project one-on-one with an English faculty member who can share their knowledge in the topic that interests you.
• In addition to independent study, students in the departmental honors program complete an honors thesis, which is a terrific way to cap off your undergraduate degree. Thesis projects can be research, creative writing, or applied professional writing.