English Major Requirements

The English Major at UMass Amherst is a broad introduction to American, British, and Anglophone literature that develops powerful skills of reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking. The Major requires a minimum of 10 courses or 32 credits and allows students to specialize in a wide variety of sub-fields in English.
 

How to Declare

Students who wish to major in English must:

• Fill out a change-of-major form in the Undergraduate English Office, South College E345. To do this remotely, email Celeste Stuart: cstuart@english.umass.edu.

• Complete College Writing (English Writing 112), which is the prerequisite to enrolling in English 200.

• Complete English 200 (Intensive Literary Studies Seminar for Intended Majors) and earn a grade of C or better, as well as attend a mandatory orientation session. Also required for the English minor.

 

English Major Requirements

 
 

Printable checklist and chart of current English major requirements

See a list of courses that fulfill each requirement

Note: Students who declared the major prior to fall 2016 must fulfill older requirements; please contact cstuart@english.umass.edu if you have questions.
 

_____  English 200: Intensive Literary Studies Seminar for Intended Majors and Minors (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.

 

_____  One course in British Literature and Culture before 1700

221 Shakespeare counts (4 cr)

 

_____  Pick 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

 

_____  One course in Anglophone or ethnic American literature, culture or rhetorics

This 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.

 

_____  One elective – 200 or higher level

 

_____  One elective – 300 or higher level

Students may count English 398 (a graded, 3-credit internship) towards this requirement.

 

_____  One elective – 400 or higher level

 

_____  Integrative Experience

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

 

Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one specialization 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 advising FAQs.