May 11, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English, B.A.


Program Description


Students majoring in English earn the B.A. degree unless they are completing an additional major in a degree program other than the B.A. The minimum requirement for a major in English is 36 credit hours of course work in the major.

The department recommends that students choose a variety of courses from among different periods and topics. Students progress through the major by taking ENG 221 ENG 222 ENG 223 ENG 299,  and ENG 399 . Students select among 300 level courses to meet intermediate degree requirements and complete at least two 400-level Advanced Studies courses. They also fulfill three distributional overlay requirements at the 300 and 400 level.

Courses taken to fulfill Arts and Humanities  requirements may also fulfill requirements in the English major. 

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
General Education  1 41
Foreign language classes (intermediate level required) 2 0-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education  courses) 3
Major requirements (listed below) 36
University electives

Total

26-40

120

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some requirements may be fulfilled by courses within the major.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures’ placement exam.

Major Requirements


Footnote


1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters  writing-intensive requirement for the major.

Restricted Electives: 21 Credit Hours


In addition to the core courses above, students must:
  • Choose one course at the 200 or 300 level Credits: 3.00
  • Choose four courses from the 300 level Credits: 12.00
  • Choose two approved 400-level courses from the “Advanced Studies in…” courses Credits: 6.00
  • See list of courses below to meet intermediate and advanced studies overlay requirements:
    • One course at the 300 or 400 level, pre-1700
    • One course at the 300 or 400 level, pre-1900
    • One course from the Identity, Diversity and Power selections

Concentrations


In consultation with their advisors, students may choose nine credit hours of courses at the 300- or 400-level that acquaint them with the scope of one of the fields below. Students may consult with their advisors and individual professors about additional courses that may, because of content covered in a particular semester, be eligible for a concentration by special permission.

British Literature


Select appropriate courses in consultation with advisor.

American Literature


Select appropriate courses in consultation with advisor.

World Literature


Environmental Literature and Writing


Creative Writing


Students with a strong interest in writing should include in their program nine credit hours of electives from the following courses.

Additional information for English teaching licensure


For students interested in pursuing English teacher licensure, refer to the English Teaching Licensure program for specific requirements.

Additional Information


Other courses may be applied to these requirements via course directive. Students should consult advisors and the departmental semester course offerings about other options.

Recommended Schedule for Majors


First Year


  • Foreign language courses Credits: 6.00 - 8.00
  • General Education  courses Credits: 23.00

First Year Total: 29-31 Credit Hours


Second Year


Second Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Third Year


  • Remaining requirement from General Education  Credits: 3.00
  • English 300-level courses Credits: 12.00 - 15.00
  • Other electives Credits: 15.00

Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


  • English 400 level advanced studies courses Credits: 6.00
  • English 300-400 level courses Credits: 6.00 - 9.00
  • Other electives Credits: 15.00 - 18.00

Fourth Year Total: 29-31 Credit Hours


Program Total: 120 Credit Hours