English BA/School Librarianship MS - Academic Experience

Beyond learning the study of about English and American literature in English, the English department offers students can the opportunity earn to earn a certificate in Creative Writing or a certificate in Journalism through English Department courses.

The English Department regularly sponsors readings and events like such as the Poetics Plus Poetry Series, Exhibit X Fiction Series, Early Modern Reading Group, and the Buffalo Film Seminars. Each of these provides students with an interesting opportunity to learn about specific aspects of poetry, literature, and film. These events regularly bring students together with prominent scholars and offer the chance to meet famous and emerging writers in each field.

The English Department is among three departments (along with Communication and Media Study) that participate in the Journalism Certificate Program (JCP). This program provides students with a strong foundation in journalistic writing and reporting for publication, emphasizing hands-on workshops and internships designed to help students make a successful transition into the world professional journalism. Many JCP students go on to win national prizes in journalism.

The English Department offers beginning, intermediate and advanced courses in creative writing. These courses give students the opportunity to develop their creative writing skills in smaller workshops, working one-on-one with faculty. Interested students have the option to pursue a Certificate in Creative Writing.

Students may participate in internal and external internship opportunities, work as research assistants for faculty, and pursue experiential learning through opportunities listed in the Experiential Learning Network’s Project Portal.

As an invaluable supplement to their course of study at UB, the English department encourages students to study abroad for one or more semesters. In the past, students have chosen to enroll at universities in England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, France, Germany, among other countries. The Office of Undergraduate Studies works with students before and after their travel to incorporate the courses taken abroad into their curriculum at UB.

• The English Department regularly sponsors readings and events like the Poetics Plus Poetry Series, Exhibit X Fiction Series, Early Modern Reading Group, and the Buffalo Film Seminars.
• The English Club sponsors reading groups, lectures, conferences, and social gatherings with students and faculty.
• Creative writing students edit and publish NAME, a journal of innovative writing.

Information about these can be found at the undergraduate office at 303 Clemens.

See the UB Student Association webpage.

George Knight Houpt Prize: Awarded to a graduating English major who has exhibited excellence and proficiency in his or her work in the English department. Criteria include a high GPA in English, high overall GPA, recommendations from faculty, and a piece of written work submitted by the student.

Arthur Axlerod Memorial Award: This prize is for poetry only and is open to all University at Buffalo undergraduates.

Scribblers Prize: For the best piece of creative writing by an undergraduate woman.

The Joyce Carol Oates Prize: This prize is for the best piece of fiction by a university undergraduate or graduate student.

The Albert Cook, Mac Hammond, and John Logan Prizes: Awarded for the best offerings in poetry, fiction, or drama.

The English Department Essay Contest: The best critical essay written in a UB undergraduate English class (other than ENG 105).

The Walter and Miriam Hass Award: Awarded to students who combine excellence and achievement in the fields of English and Engineering.