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Requirements for the Major: information about distribution appears in blue.

A major in English leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires 36 credits, exclusive of English 101, 105, 201, 203, and 204. The credits must include:

1. English 299 (should be completed in the sophomore year)
2. Three to nine credits from English 230, 232, 234, 235, 236, 250, 251, 252, 253, 260, 261, 262, 291, 292, and 293.
3. 24-30 additional credits from courses numbered at the 300 level or above
4. Completion of the capstone writing requirement with either English 413 (3) or 493 (3-3)
5. At least nine credits must be chosen from each of the following areas, with no more than one 200-level course counting in each. English 236 and 370 can be used in any area, but both cannot be used in the same area.

a. Early British Literature—English 250, 251, 252, 312, 313, 314, 316, 318, 319, 320, 326, 330, 333, 334, 335, 358, and when the topic is appropriate, 230, 235, 261, 291, 292, 299, 380, 403, 413, and 493
b. Later British Literature and World Literature in English—English 251, 333, 334, 335, 341, 345, 347, 348, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 359, and when the topic is appropriate, 230, 232, 234, 235, 261, 262, 291, 292, 29 , 380, 403, 413, and 493
c. American Literature—English 253, 293, 354, 359, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, and when the topic is appropriate, 230, 232, 234, 260, 261, 262, 291, 299, 380, 403, 413, and 493

The English faculty urges majors to craft their courses of study to include lyric poetry, narrative, nonfiction prose, and drama.

Teacher Certification: The English Department offers to students wishing to teach English in high school the opportunity for certification from the State of Virginia, reciprocal in 35 additional states. Students who are considering teaching English after graduation should consult the department head by the beginning of the fall term of their junior year. In general, fulfillment of general education requirements and requirements for the major in English make up the core of the certification requirement. In addition, students must take up to 15 credits in education courses as well as additional credits in student teaching. These credits will be received through the Consortium EXCHANGE Program during a student’s junior and senior years. Additional information can be obtained from the Director of Teacher Education, Lenna Ojure.

HONORS: An Honors Program in English is offered for qualified students; see Senior Honors Thesis Instructions.

Advice:

Three courses (totalling 9 credits) must be used in each of the following distribution areas:

Early British literature
Later British literature and World Literature in English
American literature

Only one 200-level course may be counted towards distribution in each category. Some courses can be counted in more than one category: ask the professor who taught you if you are not sure.

If your degree audit looks strange (it will), email the chair of English with your questions, phrased like this: "Does my 380 on History and Structure of the Language count as an Early British course?" The chair will email you back and copy the registrar's office. Seniors, you are responsible for making sure your degree audit is accurate and complete.

Courses not used to meet English requirements may be used as general electives toward the degree.