The Bachelor of Arts in English encompasses a variety of academic and career goals (e.g., graduate school in English; secondary certification); therefore, students with specific objectives should choose a concentration and consult with the English advisor as soon as possible to ensure optimal selection of advanced English electives.

List of Concentrations

• Literature
• Linguistics
• Creative Writing

Concentration in Literature

Students majoring in English with a concentration in literature must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional nonadvanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in literature must complete thirty-three advanced semester hours in English (3000- and 4000-level courses), to include:

1. ENGL 3301: it is strongly suggested that majors take this course within the first nine hours of advanced English.
2. Fifteen hours in British and American literature, to include:
   1. Nine hours in British literature of which six must be before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, 3317, and 3327) and three hours in any British literature (3000- or 4000-level).
   2. Six hours in American literature of which three must be before 1900 (ENGL 3350 or 3352) and three hours in any American literature (3000- or 4000-level)
3. Three hours selected from among the following courses: ENGL 3323, 3324, 3349, 3360 through 3367, 3370, 3371, 4340, 4341, 4364, 4366, 4370, 4372, 4373, or 4378.
4. Twelve hours of electives in English (3000- or 4000-level), no more than six of which can be in creative writing courses.

Concentration in Linguistics

Students majoring in English with a concentration in linguistics must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents ) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional nonadvanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in linguistics must complete twenty-seven advanced semester hours in English (3000- and 4000-level courses or advisor approved equivalents), to include:

1. Three hours in British literature before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, ENGL 3317, and ENGL 3327).
2. Six hours ENGL 4300 and 4305.
3. Nine hours from ENGL 4310, 4315, 4322, 3396, 4398 (content of Selected Topics/Special Problems courses must be in linguistics).
4. Nine hours of electives, six of which must be advisor approved literary period or genre courses (3000- or 4000-level) or equivalents. Among non-English courses recommended by the department are PHIL 3311 or 3332; PSYC 3350; COMD 4385. Students are restricted to a maximum of six semester hours in non-English courses.

Concentration in Creative Writing

Students majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents ) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional non-advanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. After completing ENGL 3329 and enrolling in ENGL 3330 or ENGL 3331, students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing apply for admission to the Concentration. Application to the Concentration in Creative Writing requires the submission of a portfolio. Blind review of portfolios occurs once each semester. Students who are not admitted into the Concentration may reapply the following semester. 4000-level creative writing courses are open only to students who have been admitted to the Concentration in Creative Writing. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in creative writing will take thirty-nine advanced hours in English (3000- and 4000-level courses), to include:

1. Nine hours in British literature, to include:
   1. Six hours in British literature before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, 3317, and 3327).
   2. Three hours any British literature (3000- or 4000-level).
2. Six hours in American literature, to include:
   1. Three hours in American literature before 1900 (ENGL 3350 or 3352).
   2. Three hours any American literature (3000- or 4000-level).
3. Six hours electives in English (3000- or 4000-level courses, excluding creative writing courses).
4. Three hours in literature since 1950.
5. Fifteen hours in Creative Writing courses, to include:
   1. Six hours in 3000-level creative writing: ENGL 3329 and either ENGL 3330 or 3331.
   2. Three hours in ENGL 4355 or 4356.
   3. Three hours ENGL 4350, 4351, 4352 (or any other 4000-level creative writing courses or repeats of a 4000-level course with approval of the instructor).
   4. Three hours ENGL 4353 or 4354.

In order to graduate with a major in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing, the student must have a minimum overall average of B (3.00) in creative writing courses.

Superior students in the Creative Writing Concentration may be permitted to write a senior honors thesis. These students graduate with Honors in English, a distinction also noted in the transcript and graduation program. (Students who also fulfill the requirements of the university's Honors College graduate with University Honors and Honors in English.) In order to pursue a senior honors thesis in creative writing, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.60 in all creative writing courses in addition to the thesis requirements set by the Honors College. He or she must submit a preliminary manuscript of 10 pages of poetry or 20 pages of prose to a creative writing faculty member for review. If the manuscript is accepted, that faculty member will serve as the student's thesis advisor, and the student will register for ENGL 3399 and 4399.   Both courses must be completed in order for credit to be earned. The student must complete, with a grade of B+ or better, the creative writing thesis, a manuscript of approximately 40 pages of poetry or 80 pages of prose. The thesis committee ultimately determines appropriate and sufficient length and quality.