English and Rhetoric

Program Overview.

Morningside's English and Rhetoric major is a robust program that offers preparation for nearly any professional endeavor. It offers students a love and understanding of literature and language, formal analysis, literary history, critical theory, research strategies, effective writing, and rigorous, respectful debate.

About English and Rhetoric at Morningside:

Enjoy the benefits of a small college campus located in a larger city, giving you access to experiential opportunities and entertainment.
Work one-on-one with faculty who are published writers and dedicated to helping you have the best experience possible.
Customize your English and Rhetoric major with a degree track in writing, literature, or English teaching, or complement it with another major or minor.
Gain a more sophisticated view of the world and a stronger understanding of culture and cultural expression through exploring a diverse curriculum.
Develop your writing and refinement process as you build your skill at communicating ideas.

Make It Your Own

Morningside English majors can expect to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. You may choose to focus on a minor to deepen a particular area of interest. It’s also possible to add more than one major or minor. Click on the names of the majors and minors below to see the coursework required for each.

Majors

Minors

Meet The Faculty

David Elder

Jennifer Peterson

Leslie Werden

Experience
Learning By Doing

Morningside University has made a commitment to extend education beyond the confines of the classroom by providing a variety of experiential learning opportunities to students.

SEE ACADEMICS

INTERNSHIPS

Opportunities exist for students to take on internships both on and off campus with a variety of Morningside departments, nonprofits, local businesses, law firms, area theatres, magazine publishers, and more.

Experiential Learning

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Collegian Reporter – student-run newspaper
KMSC – student-run radio station
Kiosk – literary and arts magazine
MCTV – student-run television station
Morningside Activities Council
Omicron Delta Kappa
Sigma Tau Delta – English honor society
Writing Center

TRAVEL

You will have the opportunity to travel regionally, nationally, and even internationally for professional conferences, or May Term courses. Travel grants and special scholarship eligibility may be available.

RESEARCH AND ACTIVE LEARNING

Carry out service learning projects. Take part in Morningside’s award-winning Friday is Writing Day as you read work and discuss and share ideas. Take in visits from published writers. Attend poetry slams and spoken word events.

NETWORK

You may frequently interact with professionals throughout the industry developing relationships and building skills. Opportunities include:

Industry-leading speakers
Club meetings and college-wide seminars
Interviews
Internships
Travel to conferences

Learn By Doing

An English degree is versatile, and our graduates reflect the many paths you may take upon graduation. Students have gone on to attend graduate school at places such as the University of Iowa, Boston University, Purdue University, Princeton University, and many more. Even more students have launched professions in careers such as publishing and editing , law, teaching, business, nonprofit administration, grant writing, journalism, and marketing.

Discover

13:1

student:faculty ratio, so you're assured a quality education focused directly on you.

65+

majors & pre-professional
programs available.

Job Outlook

The strong critical thinking and communication skills that English majors possess make them excellent candidates for a wide variety of job roles, making your job outlook upon graduation excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job demand in various areas of business will see 10% job growth through 2026, and jobs in law and education will see about 6% job growth.

Student Opportunities

Account Executive
Business Development Manager
Content Marketing Manager
Copy Editor
English Teacher
Grant Writer
Social Media Specialist
Technical Writer

Learn how students are set up for success

Meet A Mustang

Micah Hecht ‘15

English
Lansing, KS

Why Morningside

“Morningside's small community allows you to be flexible and try on a lot of leadership positions across campus.”

English News

Morningside's ODK Honors Convocation recognizes student, faculty achievements

Apr 05, 2023

The 2023 Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Honors Convocation was held at Morningside University on April 5, 2023. At the convocation, several students and employees were recognized for their academic,

...

Dimmitt Fellow Dr. Jennifer Miller announced as Guest Speaker for Humanities Speaker Series

Jan 05, 2023

Sioux City, Iowa – Morningside University’s 2023 Dimmitt Fellow Dr. Jennifer Miller will give a lecture as a part of the Humanities Speaker Series. Miller’s lecture, “Embodied Writing: A Holistic

...

Grant Writing Class Turns Practice Into a Funded Proposal for the Sioux City International Film Festival

Sep 14, 2022

Sioux City, Iowa – A group of students from a grant writing class offered during spring semester 2022 at Morningside University was notified that the Humanities Grant they applied for on

...

Love for theatre inspires Morningside professor to pay it forward

Jun 16, 2022

The often-used adage “All the World Is a Stage” is something Morningside University English and rhetoric professor Leslie Werden takes very seriously.

So much so, she works different

...

Dr. Jennifer Miller named 2023 Dimmitt Fellow

Jun 15, 2022

Dr. Jennifer L. Miller is Morningside University’s Dimmitt Fellow for the spring of 2023.

Werden named June Advisor of the Month by national honor society

Jun 15, 2022

Leslie Werden was named ODK's June Advisor of the Month in 2022.

All Undergraduates
Receive Financial Aid

100% of Morningside undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.

LEARN ABOUT AID

Simple Application
Process

Apply for Morningside’s undergrad programs.

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Helpful Counselors Are Here

Morningside’s counselors are here to assist you with any academic or career needs.

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