Briercrest's English Degree

Study literature alongside the Bible and theology. Along with written texts, become a good reader of films, ads, and other “texts” that you encounter every day. Learn in small classes designed for rich discussion and personalized feedback that helps you grow as a writer, reader, and thinker.

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Why Briercrest?

Explore a world of stories, perspectives, and cultures. This program is for students who love to read and write and want to grow in these skills. Briercrest’s BA English is provincially authorized, making it a perfect first step to a career or to graduate studies.

Learn together

At Briercrest, English students form a cohort of peers who enjoy learning about literature. Small class sizes mean that courses are discussion-based, with opportunities for peer review and close contact with professors.

Broaden your horizons

Get grounded in literary studies and theory while engaging with a wide world of stories. Hear from diverse voices: British classics, contemporary Canadian poets, world literature, film studies, graphic novels, and more, always more.

Join our community

Experience the richness of a community dedicated to understanding and obeying God’s word together. Learn to read and interpret Scripture well and put it into practice in community.

What our student says

Life at Briercrest isn’t just about rote memorization and career-prep, it’s about students and staff banding together to better understand what a life following Jesus means spiritually, academically, and socially.

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3 Career Skills You'll Gain from a Briercrest English Degree

Strong communication skills

Employers want clear communicators, especially strong writers. Briercrest English students hone these skills through academic
assignments, creative writing, class discussions, and live presentations.

Reading and research skills

Reading lists for Briercrest English courses sample a wide variety of literary genres, historical periods, and contexts. Students are trained to research skillfully and interact meaningfully with academic discussions. This equips them to analyze and understand new and difficult ideas with a studied confidence.

Interpersonal skills

Readers never simply encounter words on the page; they are meeting an author, a culture, and a time period. It can be a transformative process. This experience fosters empathy, a skill highly valuable in any
desirable job candidate.

Career Pathways and Next Steps

An English degree opens doors to a wide variety of careers and jobs. Common pathways have led Briercrest graduates into three distinct fields: teaching, writing, and professional work.

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Careers in Teaching

For students wishing to teach at a college or university, graduate school is their next step. Many Briercrest English graduates have already gone on to earn masters degrees at universities across North America and Europe including Duke University, the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Edinburgh.

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Careers in Writing

Several of our program alumni have found work as freelance writers, editors, and copywriters immediately out of college. Many are pursuing creative writing. The skills they learned in the English program, such as researching, editing, and meeting deadlines, are vital to their everyday work.

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Other Professional Careers

A less commonly known pathway is towards certain professional fields like law, social work, communications, or even medicine. Many of these fields require an undergraduate degree before entering professional studies, and the English degree prepares students rigorously for this kind of work. One alumna used the skills she learned to achieve an impressive score on the LSAT and gain entrance to the University of Saskatchewan’s law program.

At a Glance

We believe in tight-knit communities that create lifelong friendships and a top-notch education that is centered in Christ and anchored in the Bible.

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Overview

Quick View On Our College

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Requirements

Quick View On Our College

Overview

The English program at Briercrest provides students with a solid grounding in traditional literary studies, literary theory, and Canadian, contemporary, and World literatures, while at the same time equipping them with a strong biblical and theological education.

Outcomes

Graduates of the BA English will be able to

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The program is offered with the written authorization of the Minister of Advanced Education effective July 1, 2015. This authorization was provided after the program proposal underwent a quality assurance review and was found to meet the standards established by the Minister. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs.

Requirements

Students applying to BCA must meet the following requirements:

Deadlines

We recommend applying before April 1 to allow enough time to complete the application process, receive all relevant information, and be eligible for scholarships and bursaries in May. If you’re an international applicant, you must submit your application before May 1 to allow time for your study permit application. All students must pay a $100 application fee, but please note that there is an extra late fee of $100 for applicants who submit their applications after August 1.

Notification of acceptance:

Our Admissions office works hard to process applications quickly. Please note that applications that are received and completed prior to June 15 take up to two weeks to be reviewed by the BCA Admissions committee. Applications that are received after June 15 can take up to one month to be reviewed. We will contact you as soon as an acceptance decision has been made.

Confirmation of enrolment:

Once your application has accepted, you’ll need pay a confirmation deposit to confirm your enrolment at BCA. The confirmation deposit fee is $200 and can be paid by credit card, cheque, or e-transfer. This amount is credited to the student’s account upon registration, but is not refundable if the student does not enrol. We require that students submit this fee in order to secure a place at our school. You pay your confirmation deposit fee when  you submit your online application form, OR you can use our online payment service.

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The program is offered with the written authorization of the Minister of Advanced Education effective July 1, 2015. This authorization was provided after the program proposal underwent a quality assurance review and was found to meet the standards established by the Minister. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs.

Faculty

Brenda Beckman-Long PhD

Brenda Beckman-Long PhD

Associate Professor of English

Rhoda Cairns PhD

Rhoda Cairns PhD

Assistant Professor of English Literature

Calum Macfarlane PhD

Calum Macfarlane PhD

Associate Professor of History and Interdisciplinary Studies

Chance Pahl PhD

Chance Pahl PhD

Assistant Professor of English

Matthew Zantingh PhD

Matthew Zantingh PhD

Associate Professor of English

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“I can’t picture myself attending any other school after having experienced the beauty of the scholarship and community of Briercrest. It has shaped me into a lover of knowledge and tight-knit community.”

National Survey of Student Engagement 2015

Explore Briercrest

Explore Briercrest

Explore our campus virtually with our interactive campus map and learn more about all aspects of life at Briercrest with our video viewbook.

College Life

College Life

Life at Briercrest means being part of a tight-knit community. Explore below to find out more about life at Briercrest College.

Admission

Admission

We would love to help you explore how Briercrest College can play a role as you continue your life’s journey. Learn more about how to apply.

Let's Talk!

We want to help make your application process to Briercrest as smooth as possible, so let’s get started together. Please contact us if you have any questions at any point throughout your application process.


Apply now

Personal Info

Personal Info

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Academic Info

Education Equity

Disability/accommodations

Briercrest welcomes applications from students with disabilities. Indicating that you have a disability is voluntary and will not negatively impact your application. Indicating that you have a disability and/or have received accommodations gives us the opportunity to connect you with potential resources and supports. Your information will not be shared.

Definition of "Disability": physical, intellectual, mental health, psychiatric, sensory and learning disabilities as defined by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code – Section 2 (2.1).

What kind of academic accommodations have you received in high school or at another post-secondary institution? What accommodations would be helpful to receive in college? (ie. Note-taking, extra time for assignments, separate exam space)

Expression of Faith

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Declaration for Admission

All Briercrest College students must adhere to the guidelines and rules expressed in the Undergraduate Student Responsibilities and Expectations (pdf). This document outlines expectations for attending classes, college chapel and a local church as well as for abstaining from activities such as sexual immorality, the use of alcohol, and/or use of tobacco products. Please read through the Undergraduate Student Responsibilities and Expectations (just click on the link above) and check the box below if you agree to follow the guidelines and rules outlined therein. If you have any questions or concerns about the expectations of student conduct please contact the Enrolment Services office at
1-800-667-5199 or admissions@briercrest.ca.