The department offers a major in English, a major in English with a Writing Concentration, a major in English with Education Minor, a minor in English, as well as a minor in Writing.

Major in English

The major in English requires eleven courses in language and literature. To obtain the desired mix, majors select courses from several categories and levels, including introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses.

Requirements: 

• Three 200-level intermediate literature courses. Eng 210 - 289
• One 200-level Theories and Methods course. English 290 - 299, prerequisite for 400-level seminar.
• Four 300-level advanced literature courses. Courses 310 - 399.
• One 400-level seminar
• Two electives:
  -One may be a 100-level literature course.*
  -One may be a 200-level writing course, includes Jour 203.
  -Additional 200-or 300-level literature courses may count.
  -English 101 may not be used to fulfill the department's major.
  -One may be an academic-year internship or individualized study.

*ENG 111, 113, IDS 103 or 104, or designated FYS in literature.

Three of the eleven courses must focus on literature before 1800.

One literature course taken outside of the English Department may count toward the major. (Advisor must provide approval to Registrar's Office for course to count in English.)

Study Abroad: Two courses (one 200-level and one 300-level) from a semester-abroad program may count toward the major. A third course (200- or 300-level) from a full-year abroad program may count. 

English Major Checksheet 

Major in English with Writing Concentration

English with a Writing Concentration is designed for those students who want a concentration of writing courses while still earning an English degree.

This major requires fourteen courses -- more than the standard English major, but less than the combination of an English major with a writing minor. Students experience a balance of literature and writing courses.

Requirements:

• ENG 205, pre-requisite for all 300-level writing courses.
• Three 200-level literature courses. Eng 210 - 289
• One 200-level Theories and Methods course. Eng 290 - 299, pre-requisite for 400-level seminar.
• Four 300-level literature courses. Eng 310 - 399.
• Three advanced writing courses. Eng 300 - 309.
• One 400-level seminar. Eng 400-405
• One elective.
  -May be a 100-level literature course.*
  -Additional 200-or 300-level literature or writing courses may count.
  -English 101 may not be used to fulfill the department's major.
  -May be an academic-year internship or individualized study.

*ENG 111, 113,  IDS 103 or 104, or designated FYS in literature.

Three of the fourteen courses must focus on literature before 1800.

Up to two literature courses taken outside the English Department may count toward the Writing Concentration major. (Advisor must provide approval to Registrar's Office for such courses to count in English.)

Study Abroad: Two courses (one 200-level and one 300-level) from a semester-abroad program may count toward the major. A third course (200- or 300-level) from a full-year abroad program may count. 

English Major with Writing Concentration Checksheet

Major in English with Education Minor

The English major can be combined with a minor in secondary education, along with teaching certification.  All English majors who are interested in receiving certification in secondary education should meet with their major advisor and the chair of the Education department no later than the fall of their sophomore year to begin planning how they will meet departmental, college, and state requirements.

Students pursuing education certification take a range of courses in literature, in writing, and in the history or structure of the English language. They develop both historical depth and awareness of the diverse voices that have helped shape literary tradition.  The secondary education program also requires an "education semester" of student teaching in the senior year, or as an additional semester after graduation.  

More information on requirements for adding an Education Minor to the major in English.

English majors seeking teaching certification follow the standard English major except, instead of their two electives, they must take:

• A language or linguistics course, usually fulfilled with ENG 281. For students studying abroad at Lancaster University, LING 130 or 151 would also serve as a substitute for ENG 281. AFS 280 may substitute for ENG 281, although it will not count toward the ENG major.
• A 200-level intermediate writing course. ENG 201 or 205 and JOUR 203 fulfills the Multiple Inquiries Arts requirement.

Secondary education students should take a variety of English, American, and African American literature. They are also encouraged to take a Shakespeare course. THA 214, 329, or 331 may serve as a substitute for one ENG literature course. 

English Major with Secondary Education Certification Checksheet

Minor in English 

An English minor requires six courses in English.  Although it is not necessary to declare an English minor before the senior year,  students are encouraged to talk to an English professor if interested in pursuing a minor.

Requirements:

• Two 200-level intermediate literature courses. ENG 210 - 289.
• Two 300-level advanced literature courses. ENG 310 - 399.
• Two electives:
  -No more than one introductory literature course (English 111, 113, IDS 103 or 104, or designated FYS in literature).
  -Writing courses at 200- or 300-level may be counted for one or both electives, includes Jour 203.
- One may be an academic-open internship or individualized study.

Study Abroad: Two courses (one 200-level and one 300-level) from a semester-abroad program may count toward the minor. A third course (200- or 300-level) from a full-year abroad program may count.

English Minor Checksheet