Bachelor's Degree in English

An English degree allows you to gain skills that translate into most career areas. No matter what your career goals are, earning your BA in English will provide an excellent foundation for your future. As an English major, you will have the opportunity to study with outstanding English department faculty members, many of whom are published writers, as you become familiar with a broad range of Western authors, works, and literary concepts as you develop your reading and writing skills and appreciation.

 

• Mission and Goals
• What is an English Major?
• What Can I do with an English Degree?
• English Degree Requirements
• Minors in English
• More Information on English Majors

Mission and Goals

MISSION

Through the English major and minor, the Department of English is committed to enhancing the reading and writing skills of students. In this endeavor, the Department offers courses that familiarize students with a broad range of Western authors, works, and literary concepts. These courses also provide diverse opportunities for students to develop their critical thinking and writing. As students explore the connections of literature with history, philosophy, fine arts, religion and other academic disciplines, the Department seeks to nurture their appreciation of literature and language, to broaden their cultural consciousness, to deepen their personal self-awareness, and to clarify their professional aspirations. Through all of these endeavors, the Department of English is committed to preparing students for graduate and professional programs, and for careers in such fields as teaching, writing, publishing, business, and law.

GOALS

1. To acquaint students with a broad range of Western writers, works, and concepts of literary history.
2. To strengthen the critical thinking ability of students by nurturing their skills as readers.
3. To strengthen the critical thinking ability of students by nurturing their skills as writers.
4. To enhance the cultural awareness of students and to deepen their appreciation of literature by exploring its connections with history, philosophy, the fine arts, religion, and other areas of social experience and discourse.
5. To develop the abilities of students to do scholarly research and writing.
6. To prepare students for careers in such fields as teaching, writing, publishing, business, and law.

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WHAT IS AN ENGLISH MAJOR?

While earning your English degree, you will learn to explore the connections of literature with history, philosophy, fine arts, religion, and other academic disciplines while developing stronger critical-thinking skills. Truly caring faculty members will help nurture your appreciation of literature and language, broaden your cultural consciousness, deepen your self-awareness, hone your creative writing skills, and clarify your professional aspirations.

When you major in English, you will benefit from first-rate facilities and support services, including a laboratory for computer-assisted instruction in writing, a fully staffed writing center, and an excellent, user-friendly library.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE?

The possibilities are almost endless for English language degree holders. Whether you chose an English literature major or a focus on creative writing, a BA in English is often a jumping off point for continuing education. You could pursue pre-law, a master’s in education, or even an MBA, just to name a few. But perhaps you want to jump right into your career after you earn your undergraduate degree.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER¹

With the right certification, your bachelor’s in English from University of the Cumberlands can lead you to a career as a High School Teacher. Teachers are needed – a projected 8 percent growth rate for high school teachers by 2030, making an average annual salary of $61,820.

POSTSECONDARY INSTRUCTOR²

You could take your teaching to the next level – sharing your love for the language to college or university students. With a median annual salary of $79,640, employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade.

WRITER³

Or you could explore positions outside education, perhaps in communications. Your English degree can help you pursue a number of writing, editing and communication careers. The median salary for writers and authors is $69,510 annually.

There are plenty of jobs for English majors out there, including:

• Teacher
• Editor
• Writer
• Government Service Worker
• Missionary
• Seminarian
• Private Business Owner
• Public Relations Specialist

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ENGLISH DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Science with a Major in English - Literary Studies Emphasis 

TRACK ONE - Literary Studies 
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN ENGLISH – 42 semester hours as follows: 

The following two courses are required:

• ENGL 430 Literary Criticism 
• ENGL 439 Descriptive Linguistics 

Four of the following are required: 

• ENGL 331     English Literature through 1660 
• ENGL 332     English Literature 1660-1830 
• ENGL 333     English Literature since 1830 
• ENGL 334     American Literature through 1865 
• ENGL 335     American Literature since 1865 

Three of the following are required: 

• ENGL 431     Studies in British Literature 
• ENGL 432     Studies in Modern Literature 
• ENGL 433     Women in Literature 
• ENGL 437     Studies in British and American Authors 

Three electives of additional 300- or 400-level courses in writing or literature.

Two courses in either Spanish or French language are required. 

Bachelor of Science with a Major in English - Enlgish Education 

TRACK TWO - English Education 
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN ENGLISH FOR SECONDARY CERTIFICATION – 42 semester hours as follows: 

Three courses are required:

• ENGL 430   Literary Criticism 
• ENGL 438   Advanced Writing
• ENGL 439   Descriptive Linguistics

Four of the following are required: 

• ENGL 331     English Literature through 1660 
• ENGL 332     English Literature 1660-1830 
• ENGL 333     English Literature since 1830 
• ENGL 334     American Literature through 1865 
• ENGL 335     American Literature since 1865 

Three of the following are required: 

•     ENGL 431     Studies in British Literature 
•     ENGL 432     Studies in Modern Literature
•     ENGL 433     Women in Literature 
•     ENGL 437     Studies in British and American Authors 

Two electives of 300- or 400-level courses in writing or literature

Two courses in either Spanish or French language are required. 

Besides these requirements for the major, these additional courses are required for teacher certification in English: 

Three courses are required in related fields: 

• COMM 230 Intro. to Public Speaking
• THTR 130 Introduction to Theatre
• ENGL 337 Literature of Adolescence OR EDUC 338 P-5 Reading & Language Arts II

In addition, 42 hours in professional education courses are also required as defined by the Education Department.

Bachelor of Arts in English 

Completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree plus a world language through the intermediate level.

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Minors in English

Minor in English - Literary Studies 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENGLISH MINOR IN LITERARY STUDIES – 24 hours of English as follows: 
Three courses are required : 

• ENGL 334     American Literature through 1865 
• ENGL 335     American Literature since 1865
• ENGL 439     Descriptive Linguistics 

Two of the following are required: 

•     ENGL 331     English Literature through 1660 
•     ENGL 332     English Literature 1660-1830 
•     ENGL 333     English Literature since 1830 

One of the following literature courses is required: 

• ENGL 431     Studies in British Literature 
• ENGL 432     Studies in Modern Literature 
• ENGL 433     Women in Literature 
• ENGL 437     Studies in British and American Authors 

Two electives in writing or literature 

Minor in English - Creative Writing 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENGLISH MINOR WITH CREATIVE WRITING EMPHASIS – 24 hours of English as follows: 

Three courses are required:

• ENGL 239 Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENGL 438 Advanced Writing
• ENGL 439 Descriptive Linguistics

One of the following is required:

• ENGL 339 Studies in Creative Writing: Nonfiction
• ENGL 340 Studies in Creative Writing: Fiction
• ENGL 341 Studies in Creative Writing: Poetry

Two of  the following are required:

• ENGL 331 English Literature through 1660
• ENGL 332 English Literature 1660-1830
• ENGL 333 English Literature since 1830

One of the following is required:

• ENGL 334 American Literature through 1865
• ENGL 335 American Literature since 1865

One of the following is required:

• One elective of a 300- or 400-level course in writing or literature

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More Information on English Majors 

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

ACCREDITATION 

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

Faculty 

The faculty that you get to interact with from day to day will help guide you on the best path through your degree. Learn more about the English Degree faculty. 

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of English Language and Literature is expected to have 309,500 job openings by 2026.  If you love literature, have an appreciation for language, and want to use it in a career; fill out the form on this page and find out how UC can help you change the way tomorrow looks! Let’s talk about our test-optional college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and more!