2023-2024 Catalog 
    
    Apr 24, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English, BA


English majors have long contributed successfully to cultural, political, educational, business, and community leadership. You will start by doing what you love: reading, writing, analyzing, and discussing what you’ve read and written. What happens because of these activities is crucial to long-term professional success. The insights you develop from these activities contribute to clear and audience-aware communication; critical thinking for problem-solving; innovative and creative ideas and insights; empathy that contributes to inclusiveness; resourceful research abilities; and insight into cultural and historical contexts.

General Information

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English requires the following:

  • A minimum of 42 credit hours of ENGL course work, depending on the chosen option. At least 18 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher). The Education options require 33-36 credit hours of English courses.
  • A grade of C- or better in courses applied to the major.
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all ENGL course work.
  • No more than 60 credit hours of ENGL course work may apply to the bachelor’s degree.
  • Submission of a Senior Assessment during the final semester of the senior year.
  • Attendance at a mandatory English department workshop during the first year at UCCS. See the English department website for details.

Additional course work is required to complete the English, BA degree. Please see the advising guide on the Academic Advising website for more information.

English Major Options

One of the following options, or emphases, must be chosen in order to complete a major in English. Options may have different course, grade, GPA, or hour requirements.  See below for more information.

  • Literature
  • Rhetoric and Writing
  • English Studies Online
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education

Departmental Honors

To graduate with departmental honors in English, a student must have a 3.75 GPA in the major, and a 3.5 GPA overall.

Literature Emphasis (45 credit hours)


The Literature Emphasis requires 45 credit hours of ENGL course work, 18 of which must be upper division (3000+ level).

Course Requirements


Senior Assessment-Literature


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Literature emphasis.

Rhetoric and Writing Emphasis (42 credit hours)


The Rhetoric and Writing Emphasis requires 42 credit hours of ENGL coursework, 24 of which must be upper-division (3000+ level).

Course Requirements


Rhetoric and Writing Summit Course


Complete one unused course from the following list (1 course/3 credits).

NOTE: ENGL 4880 may be repeated for this requirement with a different topic.

English Electives


  • Complete an additional 15 credit hours of English electives to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+ level) requirements for the major.

Senior Assessment-Rhetoric & Writing


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Rhetoric & Writing emphasis.

English Studies Online Emphasis (42 credit hours)


The English Studies Online Emphasis requires 42 credit hours of ENGL coursework, 18 of which must be upper-division (3000+ level).

Course Requirements


English Elective


  • Complete an additional 3 credit hours of English online electives to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+ level) requirements for the major.

Senior Assessment - English Studies Online Emphasis


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the English Studies Online emphasis.

Elementary Education Emphasis (33 credit hours)


The Elementary Education Emphasis requires 33 credit hours of ENGL coursework, 18 of which must be upper-division (3000+ level). An additional 45 hours of Education coursework are required.

For more information on the requirements for the Initial Elementary Licensure, see the Elementary Initial License Certificate .

Course Requirements


Rhetoric and Writing Theory Course


Complete one of the following courses (1 course/3 credits):

English Electives


  • Complete an additional 6 credit hours of English electives to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+ level) requirements for the major.

Senior Assessment–Elementary or Special Education


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Elementary or Special Education emphasis.

Secondary Education Emphasis (36 credit hours)


The Secondary Education Emphasis requires 36 credit hours of ENGL course work, 18 of which must be upper-division (3000+ level). An additional 43 hours of Education courses are required.

For more information on the requirements for the Initial Secondary Licensure, see the Secondary Initial License Certificate .

Course Requirements


History and Structure of the English Language Course


Complete one of the following courses (1 course/3 credits):

English Elective


  • Complete one unused English elective to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+level) hours for the major (1 course/3 credits).

Senior Assessment-Secondary Education


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Secondary Education emphasis.