These requirements apply to students who sign their major in Fall 2009 and after. If you signed your major before Fall 2009, please see the 2008-09 catalog for your major requirements.
Major Requirements
Thirty-six credits which must include:
- ENG 120, 190, and 220.
- ENG 250 or 251; and 260 or 261.
- Eight additional credits of upper-level literature at the 300 level.
- ENG 320 and 420.
- Required cognate: four credits of foreign language at or above the 112 level to help students appreciate sounds, structure and beauty of a language different from their own.
- Students who have at least a 3.5 GPA in the major at the end of their junior year should consider pursuing honors in the major. Departmental honors candidates must complete a thesis and present their work in a venue approved by the Department.
Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits which must include:
- ENG 120.
- ENG 250 or 251; and 260 or 261.
- ENG 190, 201, 220, 225, 270, or 320.
- Two additional upper-level literature courses at the 300 level.
Writing Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits which must include:
- ENG 190, 202, and 220.
- Twelve additional credits chosen from ENG 201, 210, 270, 290, 291, 292, 293, 301, 370, 390, or 391.
Program Considerations
Prospective majors should plan to take English 120 in the first year, English 220 in the sophomore year, English 320 in the junior year, and English 420 in the senior year. Note: One foreign language course at or above the 112 level is required for the English major.
ENG 100, 101 and 110 do not count toward the English major or minor.
Students considering graduate school are urged to complete more than the required number of 300-level literature classes and ENG 500 Senior Thesis. Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in literature are strongly recommended to take additional modern language courses.
English majors may also elect a writing minor. Up to eight credits may count toward both the major and minor requirements

