Why English?

Words are among the most enduring and powerful forces in the world. By choosing to study English you will learn to work with words in critical and creative ways, an ability that is essential to many careers. Our professors are active researchers and writers in their fields, committed to helping students become engaged citizens who actively imagine and create their own futures.

In addition to helping students develop a sophisticated understanding of the varied contributions of the literary arts throughout history and across the globe, an English degree hones critical communication skills fundamental to success in almost any career path.

Explore the links on the left to learn more about our program.

Alumni Careers

Leanna Hall, Educator
"Acadia was able to give me a solid foundation as a scholar who is sensitive to cultural diversity and proactive about creating ways to realize this through academia."
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Alumni Careers

Logan Grant, Articling Clerk/Law
"I have fond memories of my experiences with Acadia’s English program. Those experiences became instrumental when I chose to pursue a legal career."
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Alumni Careers

Zsofi Koller, Designer & Digital Strategist
"In my studies at Acadia I learned to give myself permission to explore ideas fully without self-censoring. I was also encouraged to distil my ideas critically; another tool I use in my work every day."
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Alumni Careers

Corey Liu, Television Writer
"Stories, my classes would teach me, can certainly reinforce unfair power structures. But they also provide perspectives that shift our ways of thinking."
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Alumni Careers

Christine Luckasavitch, Cultural Heritage Resource Management
"My liberal arts education at Acadia University not only helped me develop a life-long love affair with Canadian literature and history, but most importantly, Acadia taught me how to think critically."
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Alumni Careers

Jennifer Huizen, Environmental Journalist
"I’ve found my niche habitat, the environment in which I best thrive, and the Acadia English team undoubtedly got me started in the right direction. I couldn’t be more grateful."
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Alumni Careers

Sally Christensen, Web Content & Game Editor
"I knew my career would involve words. And technology. Acadia provided training and experience in both."
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Alumni Careers

Daniel Scott Tysdal, Professor and Poet
"The compassion, friendship, patience, and just general amazingness of my classmates and professors gave me the support I needed to keep going and inspired me to remain focussed and driven in my studies."
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Alumni Careers

Jen Knoch, Book Editor
"Acadia English laid the foundation for my future work in graduate school and eventually as a book editor in Toronto. I was exposed to a diverse range of material, given plenty of personal attention, and challenged in ways that developed my writing, confidence and critical thinking skills."
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Alumni Careers

Meaghan Smith, Librarian
"My peers and the professors at Acadia allowed me to discover the fun side of literature which I take into every program at the library to give to the next generation of readers."
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Alumni Careers

Ryan McNutt, Communications Advisor
"I always figured my career would involve writing—I initially had sights set on grad school, after all—but had no idea I would become a writer. It was only once I ended up studying public relations, on a whim, after my undergrad that I began to appreciate how my ability to play and find purpose with words was going to be a huge factor in my professional life."
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Alumni Careers

Christine McNair, Book Conservator, Publisher, and Poet
"The supportive atmosphere at Acadia nurtured the three aspects of my current career path(s) – publishing, poetry, and to a degree, bookwork."
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Alumni Careers

Tegan Zimmerman, English Professor
"I cannot stress enough how formative my experience majoring in English at Acadia has been for my career."
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