The Bachelor and Master of Arts in English degree programs at the University of South Alabama prepare students for jobs in professional settings including teaching, writing, and business areas. English majors and minors are taught by talented faculty and field experts in creative writing, literature, and professional writing in the College of Arts and Sciences. English undergraduate student Kelsi Fails describes her passion for writing poetry and studying literature at USA.
The English undergraduate program allows students to explore the study of literature and interpretation of novels, stories, poems and essays through critical approaches and writing, build the skills to craft meaningful creative work, and develop skills in professional writing and editing. The English master's program offers students in the creative writing and literature concentrations advanced study and preparation for careers in English as well as further graduate study. Through classes, as well as research opportunities and internships, students build skills in critical reading and writing, research, and instruction that support a range of career fields in business and education.
Upcoming Events
Hamner Lecture w/ Jocelyn Cullity - Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 4pm
On Wednesday, October 15, our new colleague, Dr. Jocelyn Cullity, will be delivering the 23rd Annual Eugenie L. Hamner Lecture for the Graduate Program in English. Her talk will be titled "The Historical Novel: Merging Fact and Fiction." The event begins at 4pm in the Marx Library Auditorium. A reception and book signing will follow.
Please note: this free event will be held in the Marx Library Auditorium with a book signing and reception to follow.
IMC Book Fair - Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9am to 4pm
Weather permitting, the Independent Music Collective (IMC) will be holding its final book fair of the semester in the Humanities Courtyard at USA from 9am to 4pm on Wednesday, November 4th. Come browse a wide selection of used books (on all topics), music in a variety of formats, and a bunch of random wall art. Donations support the IMC Concert Series!
Please note: weather permitting, this event will be held in the Humanities Courtyard.
Margaret Renkl - Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 5:30pm
Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss has been chosen as University of South Alabama’s Common Read / Common World selection. This collection of essays by Margaret Renkl explores family, identity and our relationship to the natural environment. Her short chapters offer powerful reflections on her upbringing in Alabama, touching on both home and faith and tracing a tender and honest portrait of her complicated parents and of the bittersweet moments that accompany a child’s transition to caregiver. Some of her other titles include The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year and Graceland, At Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache From the American South. Renkl is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, where her essays appear each Monday. A graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Carolina, she lives in Nashville.
Please note: this free event is co-sponsored by USA Common Read / Common World and will be held in the Student Center Ballroom with a book signing and reception to follow. PHOTO: William DeShazer.
Assistant or Associate Professor, Rhetoric and Composition
The English Department at the University of South Alabama invites applications for a full-time (9-month), tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of English with a specialization in Rhetoric and Composition, starting August 15, 2026.
Requirements: Ph.D. in English or closely related field with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition. Demonstrable commitment to teaching rhetoric and writing, especially writing in the professions (e.g., digital media, technical writing, editing, grant writing, rhetorics of medicine or science). ABDs will be considered for the Assistant Professor rank, but an earned doctoral degree is required prior to August 15, 2026. Applicants for appointment at the Associate Professor rank will have a strong record of peer-reviewed publications, teaching excellence, and commitment to service.
Desirable: Workplace experience in the production of technical or professional writing. Research or teaching experience involving GenAI, proposals, or professional-writing internships.
To apply, email vita, cover letter, and the contact information for three professional references to Dr. Larry Beason, Chair, Search Committee, c/o Shawn Ash (english@southalabama.edu). Official transcripts and letters of recommendation will only be requested for candidates who are invited for an on-campus interview.
If you have questions about the search, please email Dr. Larry Beason directly at lbeason@southalabama.edu.
Review of applications will begin November 10, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.
The Department, University, and Community
A public research university with more than 14,000 students and 115 academic programs, the University of South Alabama is centrally located within America’s Gulf Coast, a rapidly growing region of rich history, fine arts, recreation, and economic opportunity. The Department of English is one of the largest departments at the University, with faculty covering a range of specialties including African American Studies; American, British and world literatures; creative writing; and rhetoric and composition. We administer the university's first-year composition program and are committed to the teaching of writing at all levels.
Options for undergraduate majors include a concentration in professional writing and editing, with minors in English, creative writing, and professional writing. Our MA program offers courses in literature, rhetoric, professional writing, composition studies, and creative writing, with concentrations in literature and creative writing. The Department of English houses the Stokes Center for Creative Writing, and the department routinely sponsors readings, lectures, forums, and community projects, fostering a vibrant intellectual and creative community at USA.
The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression), religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.
Part-Time Teaching
The English Department reviews applications on a continuing basis for part-time instructors, mainly to teach composition. Literature surveys and technical writing sections are available occasionally for those who are qualified in those areas.
Minimum Requirement: M.A. in English.
Please send your vita, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references and transcripts via email to Dr. Patrick Shaw.
The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression), religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.
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