English Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The English major provides excellent pre-professional preparation to pursue careers in writing and journalism and for graduate study. The major offers students an opportunity to explore the various genres and rich heritage of English literature, to develop advanced skills in creative and expository writing, interpretation and literary criticism, listening, and oral communication, and to understand the history and structure of the English language.

Students interested in teaching English may earn an endorsement for Secondary English/Language Arts Licensure Program: B.A. English (CUS) by completing the English major and the appropriate requirements of the School of Education.

The Bachelor of Arts in English requires completion of the following 120 credits:
General Education Core (57 credit hours)
English Major Core (39 credit hours)
Electives (24 credit hours)

Please note: ENG 201 - Introduction to Literature is not an option for English majors within the General Education Requirements.

General Education Requirements (57 credit hours)

Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)

Take the following four courses (some courses are cross-listed and only one prefix needs to be taken):

BIB 111 - Old Testament (3) OR
HIS 111 - Old Testament (3)
BIB 114 - New Testament (3) OR
HUM 114 - New Testament (3)
PHL 315 - Worldviews: Philosophical and Religious Perspectives (3)
THE 201 - Introduction to Theology (3)

Communication (12 credit hours)

Take each of the following four courses:

COM 103 - Public Speaking (3)
COM 212 - Persuasion (3)
ENG 102 - English Composition (3)
ENG 104 - Research Writing (3)
ENG 105 - Advanced English Composition (3) may be taken by invitation of the English faculty to fulfill requirements for both ENG 102 and ENG 104.

Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)

Take one course from each of the following three academic disciplines:

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

PHL 202 - Philosophical Inquiry (3)

Fine Arts (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

Literature (3 credit hours)

The General Education Literature requirement for English Majors:

ENG 202 - American Literature I (3)

Social Sciences (15 credit hours)

Take each of the following five courses:

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)

*Please see the First- Year Integration (FYI) page for specific information about this required course.

INT 101 - First-Year Integration (3)

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

MAT 111 - College Algebra (3) (or higher)

Science (3 credits)

SCI 230 - Integrated Physical Science with Lab (3)

English Major (39 credit hours)

English Core (27 credit hours)

English Emphases (12 credit hours)

Choose one of the three English Emphases below.

Creative Writing Emphasis (12 credit hours)

ENG 420 - Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry (3)
ENG 430 - Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction (3)
ENG 435 - Advanced Creative Writing: Special Topics (3)
One one literature course from the following:
ENG 330 - Shakespeare (3)
ENG 340 - American Ethnic Literatures (3)
ENG 360 - World Literature (3)
ENG 380 - Christian Writers (3)

Graduate Studies Track (12 credit hours)

ENG 340 - American Ethnic Literatures (3)
ENG 360 - World Literature (3)
ENG 330 - Shakespeare (3) OR
ENG 380 - Christian Writers (3)
ENG 470 - Senior Thesis (3)

Guided Literary Studies Emphasis (12 credit hours)

Choose four courses from the list of courses that are included in the Creative Writing Emphasis and Graduate Studies Track.

Please consult with an English faculty member as well as your academic advisor to assist you in selecting courses appropriate for your career path.

Secondary Licensure in English

See the Secondary English/Language Arts Licensure Program: B.A. English (CUS) section of this catalog for details on this program.