English Major

Requires 10 courses (32 credits).

English major requirements:

To browse courses that fulfill specific requirements, go to Courses by Requirement.

• English 200: Introduction to Literary Studies (4 credits)

  • While enrolled in English 200, students may also take other 200- and 300-level English courses, but are asked to speak with an advisor to talk over their options.

• 1 course in British Literature and Culture before 1700

  • English 221 Shakespeare counts (4 cr)

• 2 courses from the following 3 categories:

  • British Literature and Culture after 1700
  • American Literature and Culture before 1865
  • American Literature and Culture after 1865

• 1 course in Anglophone or ethnic American literature, culture or rhetorics

  • Must be fulfilled with a 200+ level course

• English 300: Junior Year Writing (4 credits) 

  • Required for primary majors and dual degree. Waived for 2nd majors.

• 1 elective – 200 or higher level*

• 1 elective – 300 or higher level*

  • English 398 (graded, 3-credit internship) counts towards this requirement.

• 1 elective – 400 or higher level*

• 1 Integrative Experience course

  • Required for primary majors only. Waived for 2nd majors and dual degrees.

* All students are strongly encouraged to use their electives to complete at least one specialization, certificate, or concentration in English.

Important Notes

• You must earn a C or better in all courses taken toward the major.
• Two upper-level electives may come from closely related 300- or 400-level courses in other departments with approval from one of the chief advisors in E345 South College.
• If a course meets more than one requirement, a student may count 1 course twice but will then need to take an additional upper level elective for a total of three 300+ elective courses.
• A limited number of pre-approved courses may be offered as substitutes for 201, 202, 268, and 269 each semester.
• Second majors in English are not required to complete either Junior Year Writing or the Integrative Experience.
• Students pursuing dual degree must fulfill Junior Year Writing in English even if they are listed on Spire as 2nd majors who are waived.
• The successful completion of the Professional Writing and Technical Communications specialization path fulfills the Integrative Experience requirement.
• If there is any doubt about the applicability of a particular course in another department, or from another school, check with the chief undergraduate advisors in E345 South College.

See the advising FAQs for more answers to common questions.

Requires 12 courses.

Learn about the requirements for the Creative Writing Concentration (Track) in English.

Requires 12 courses.

Learn about the requirements for the Writing Rhetoric and Literacy Studies (WRLS) Concentration in English.

Requires 6 courses.

English minor requirements:

To browse courses that fulfill specific requirements, go to Courses by Requirement.​​​​​​​

• 1 English 200 Introduction to Literary Studies (4 credits)

• 1 course in American literature at a 200 or higher level

• 1 course in British literature at a 200 or higher level

• 1 course in global Anglophone/ethnic American literature, culture and rhetorics at a 200 or higher level

• 1 English elective at a 200 or higher level

• 1 English elective at a 300 or higher level

A student must earn a C on all coursework. No more than 2 courses outside the department may count toward the minor. 

Click the "Declare the Major or Minor" button above to declare the minor.  For any questions about the minor or declaration process, contact Celeste Stoddard at @email.