The BA in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis provides students with foundational knowledge in literature, writing and practice, critical thinking, literary theory, culture and diversity, literary citizenship, and the power of language that will empower them to innovate, communicate, and discover the necessary skills to thrive in their professional career paths and serve their community. The Creative Writing emphasis also prepares students for the professional opportunities in the creative writing world, MFA programs, and the rewarding and challenging world of publishing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in English program, students will:

1. Demonstrate and apply traditional and contemporary knowledge in cultural contexts.
2. Conduct, analyze, evaluate, and integrate academic research and theory.
3. Construct and deconstruct arguments using a range of rhetorical strategies. 
4. Utilize innovative creative, technological, and literacy skills to foster career and community growth. 

Outcomes Assessment Activities

Assessment of the English program is the responsibility of all English Program faculty. The English Program’s annual reports evaluating the program and proposing any needed changes are compiled from the following information:

• A central file of course syllabi with representative assignments is maintained by the department for inspection by the committee and other qualified persons.
• All English majors begin the program with ENG 114 Introduction to Creative Writing (GT-AH1) (3 c.h.) and ENG 201 Introduction to Literary Theory (3 c.h.) which establish the emphasized professional standards and the writing and analytical skills students will have acquire in the program. All students in ENG 114 submit a final notebook and ENG 201 write a final paper, which are submitted to the department chairperson or committee for assessment.
• All English majors take ENG 493 Senior Seminar (3 c.h.) and ENG 414 Advanced Creative Writing Workshop (3 c.h.) emphasizing professional standards and synthesizing the writing and analytical skills students have acquired in other English classes. All students in ENG 493 write a senior research paper, one copy of which is submitted to the department chairperson for dissemination for review. In order to pass ENG 493, students must demonstrate satisfactory levels of achievement in meeting the program goals.
• English Program faculty review final materials from ENG 114, ENG 201, ENG 414, and ENG 493 on an annual basis and prepare an analysis of what they reveal about the program's success.
• The English Program administers a student-satisfaction questionnaire to all senior English majors each year. Similar questionnaires are sent to recent graduates and representative employers on a periodic basis.
• The English Program faculty consider the English curricula at leading comparable institutions and apprise the department of innovations worthy of consideration.

Specific Program Requirements 

• Specific requirements for the English major are listed below. Students should consult with an advisor in English before registration.
• Students must complete, with a grade of C or better, all courses counting toward the major or minors.
• Students must fulfill the University language requirements for the BA degree, first year world language (6-8 credit hours) OR ENG 106 LANGUAGE, THOUGHT AND CULTURE (3 c.h.) and WL 100 INTRO TO COMPARATIVE LINGUISTICS (3 c.h.) OR ASL 101 BEGINNING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (3 c.h.) and ASL 102 BEGINNING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (3 c.h.). For International students, fulfill the World Language Requirement.
• For teaching endorsement requirements, see the Teacher Education Program section.

• Faculty advisors meet individually with each of their students on a regular basis to help plan schedules and discuss educational and career goals. advisors maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of each student’s progress towards completion of the requirements for the major.
• All English majors will participate in a senior-year seminar in which all of the writing and analytical skills acquired in other English classes will be synthesized. Students in the class will be expected to complete a senior research project.

A total of 46 credits in English beyond ENG 101 Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) (3 c.h.) and ENG 102 Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) (3 c.h.) (WL 100 Intro to Comparative Linguistics (3 c.h.) and ENG 106 Language, Thought and Culture (3 c.h.) may be counted, but not double counted for World Language), distributed as follows:

¹

Selected with the approval of the major adviser, two of which are recommended to comprise of a sequence of American, British, or Masterpieces literature at the 200 level are encouraged (i.e., ENG 210 American Literature I (3 c.h.) and ENG 212 American Literature II (3 c.h.) or ENG 231 Literature of England I (3 c.h.) and ENG 232 Literature of England II (3 c.h.)), ENG 221 Masterpieces of Literature I (GT-AH2) (3 c.h.) and ENG 222 Masterpieces of Literature II (GT-AH2) (3 c.h.) while the third must be at the 300 level or above.)

²

WL 100 Intro to Comparative Linguistics (3 c.h.) and ENG 106 Language, Thought and Culture (3 c.h.) may be counted, but not double counted for World Language.

Co-Curricular Requirements

The English faculty supports and encourages English majors’ involvement in student organizations and participation in tutoring activities in the community and on campus.

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.

Note: In addition to requirements for the major and general education, students must complete either:

1. Any minor degree program listed in the catalog other than their major; or
2. 18 credit hours outside of the major.

Students may not use the same credits to satisfy requirements for both major and minor degrees, or use credits taken to satisfy general education requirements.