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Pursue Your Dream Career with an English Degree Tailored to Your Interests

Bachelor of Arts Degree in English

The best part of this major is that you get to choose your area of concentration — writing and literature or communication. You determine your specific area of interest through your minor and elective courses or dual major to pursue a specific career. Writing and literature is a more traditional English major, preparing you for professional school, writing, publishing, grant writing, public service and many other professions. Communication will prepare you for the communication industry – media, public relations, advertising, publications and more.

Required Courses in Your Writing and Literature Major

English Composition I & II (options: Writing Literary Non-Fiction I & II or Creative Writing I & II)

In this course, you’ll experience instruction and practice in the fundamentals of effective written composition, critical reading and writing.

World Literature I & II

These courses provide you with a selective study of the structure, form, and meaning of literature from a variety of world cultures.

British Literature I & II

These courses focus on literary movements, genres, and works from Beowulf through the 21st century.

American Literature I & II

These courses study the major forms, works, themes, and writers in American literature from colonial times to the 21st century.

Coordinating Seminar

You will experience an in-depth study on selected topic under the direction of an English faculty member and presentation of the seminar paper at the annual Symposium in this course.

6 credit hours of English electives

 

Required Courses in Your English and Communications Major

English Composition I & II (options: Writing Literary Non-Fiction I & II or Creative Writing I & II)

In this course, you’ll experience instruction and practice in the fundamentals of effective written composition, critical reading and writing.

World Literature I & II

These courses provide you with a selective study of the structure, form, and meaning of literature from a variety of world cultures.

British Literature I & II

These courses focus on literary movements, genres, and works from Beowulf through the 21st century.

American Literature I & II

These courses study the major forms, works, themes, and writers in American literature from colonial times to the 21st century.

News Writing

You will examine the theory and practice of writing and reporting for print media, including the nature of news, forms and techniques in gathering and writing news.

Interpersonal Communication

In this course, you will examine both processes and theories of interpersonal communication, as well as critically reflect on your own interpersonal skill competencies. You will explore interpersonal communication in your personal relationships, the media, and communication research. 

Gender and Communication

You will examine the construction of gender through communication, grounded on the premise that all we create — including gender — is accomplished through communication. You will examine how and why masculinity and femininity are socially constructed and maintained. 

Mass Media 

You will explore the role played by mass media in contemporary life. You will examine the nature and function of the media through topics including communicator and audience; content and control; patterns of influence; impact of media on information, entertainment, economics, and social and cultural values. 

Internship

You will use opportunities to gain on-the-job experiences in the communication field. 

9 credit hours of communication electives

 

Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary

To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in writing and literature, you must complete 128 credit hours, comprising 41 credit hours of general education courses, 33 credit hours in the major, 18 credit hours in the minor and 36 credit hours in electives.

To graduate with an emphasis in English communication, you must complete 128 credit hours, comprising 41 credit hours of general education courses, 51 credit hours in the double major and 36 credit hours in electives.

The Assurance of Accreditation

The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society.  College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary

  • Submit your application and transcripts.

  • Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.

Test-Optional Admissions

CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:

  • Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
  • If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.

Academic Description

Pursue Your Dream Career with an English Degree Tailored to Your Interests

Bachelor of Arts Degree in English

The best part of this major is that you get to choose your area of concentration — writing and literature or communication. You determine your specific area of interest through your minor and elective courses or dual major to pursue a specific career. Writing and literature is a more traditional English major, preparing you for professional school, writing, publishing, grant writing, public service and many other professions. Communication will prepare you for the communication industry – media, public relations, advertising, publications and more.

Accreditation

The Assurance of Accreditation

The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society.  College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Admissions Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary

  • Submit your application and transcripts.

  • Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.

Test-Optional Admissions

CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:

  • Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
  • If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.

Curriculum

Required Courses in Your Writing and Literature Major

English Composition I & II (options: Writing Literary Non-Fiction I & II or Creative Writing I & II)

In this course, you’ll experience instruction and practice in the fundamentals of effective written composition, critical reading and writing.

World Literature I & II

These courses provide you with a selective study of the structure, form, and meaning of literature from a variety of world cultures.

British Literature I & II

These courses focus on literary movements, genres, and works from Beowulf through the 21st century.

American Literature I & II

These courses study the major forms, works, themes, and writers in American literature from colonial times to the 21st century.

Coordinating Seminar

You will experience an in-depth study on selected topic under the direction of an English faculty member and presentation of the seminar paper at the annual Symposium in this course.

6 credit hours of English electives

 

Required Courses in Your English and Communications Major

English Composition I & II (options: Writing Literary Non-Fiction I & II or Creative Writing I & II)

In this course, you’ll experience instruction and practice in the fundamentals of effective written composition, critical reading and writing.

World Literature I & II

These courses provide you with a selective study of the structure, form, and meaning of literature from a variety of world cultures.

British Literature I & II

These courses focus on literary movements, genres, and works from Beowulf through the 21st century.

American Literature I & II

These courses study the major forms, works, themes, and writers in American literature from colonial times to the 21st century.

News Writing

You will examine the theory and practice of writing and reporting for print media, including the nature of news, forms and techniques in gathering and writing news.

Interpersonal Communication

In this course, you will examine both processes and theories of interpersonal communication, as well as critically reflect on your own interpersonal skill competencies. You will explore interpersonal communication in your personal relationships, the media, and communication research. 

Gender and Communication

You will examine the construction of gender through communication, grounded on the premise that all we create — including gender — is accomplished through communication. You will examine how and why masculinity and femininity are socially constructed and maintained. 

Mass Media 

You will explore the role played by mass media in contemporary life. You will examine the nature and function of the media through topics including communicator and audience; content and control; patterns of influence; impact of media on information, entertainment, economics, and social and cultural values. 

Internship

You will use opportunities to gain on-the-job experiences in the communication field. 

9 credit hours of communication electives

 

Degree Requirements

Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary

To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in writing and literature, you must complete 128 credit hours, comprising 41 credit hours of general education courses, 33 credit hours in the major, 18 credit hours in the minor and 36 credit hours in electives.

To graduate with an emphasis in English communication, you must complete 128 credit hours, comprising 41 credit hours of general education courses, 51 credit hours in the double major and 36 credit hours in electives.