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English, B.A.

Read. Write. Reimagine your life. In Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s English program, students engage the world of literature and the art of language. SLU's English majors do more than read great books; they encounter diverse perspectives and learn to read their place in the world. Award-winning English faculty train students to think critically and creatively, write with precision and style and analyze how language shapes culture.

Through courses in literature, creative writing and rhetoric, as well as personalized mentorship, English students reimagine what their futures might hold. SLU’s English alumni often credit the department’s emphasis on writing, analytical rigor and creativity for their success in varied careers. Whether you wish to pursue law or education, marketing or medicine, an M.F.A. or an MBA, an English degree will help you get there.

Additional highlights of SLU's B.A. in English include:

  • Hands-on publishing experience: Students edit The Kiln Project, an online literary magazine of student creative writing, and VIA, an online journal of student scholarly research. Student editors also interview renowned visiting authors through the Georgia K. Johnston Writer-in-Residency program and the St. Louis Literary Award.
  • A vibrant community: Through the English department’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, students take part in social events, present work at conferences, and strengthen the network of SLU students who love literature and writing.
  • Real-world connections: English majors contribute to service-learning projects in the city of St. Louis and bring their writing and research skills to department-sponsored internships with a variety of local and national organizations.

Curriculum Overview

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s English major is flexible and student-centered, with small classes emphasizing discussion, critical thinking and reflection. A spine of four required courses brings majors together as a cohort to explore foundational questions, such as: Why English? What are the functions of literature and rhetoric for communities beyond the university? What role does creative storytelling play in shaping cultures of justice?

Students craft their own paths through the rest of the major, following their passions in literary studies, creative writing and rhetorical studies. From true crime podcasts and Shakespeare’s plays to climate change novels and new media writing, elective courses cover a range of literary histories and genres while drawing connections to the present. Many electives within the English major also fulfill University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements, giving students time and freedom to explore. The English curriculum concludes with a senior capstone experience in which students work with a faculty mentor to complete a significant research or creative project of their own design.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The English department offers opportunities for students to supplement their regular course of study with research experiences, internships and community-based learning. In the selective Research Intensive English program, some students pursue literary and rhetorical studies in small, rigorous settings and conduct distinctive scholarly research. The department provides support to students who present original research at national and regional undergraduate conferences.

SLU English students also take their learning out of the classroom through projects such as The Saint Louis Story: Learning & Living Racial Justice, a collaborative digital humanities research endeavor that brings SLU students and faculty together with community partners.

Finally, the English department sponsors credit-bearing internships where students make meaningful connections between their studies and the practical, social and intellectual demands of a workplace. English students intern in fields like law, publishing, marketing and business. Others apply their writing skills and creativity in internships with arts and media organizations such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Saint Louis Poetry Center. Ìý

Careers

Students who study English receive a solid foundation for professions that require excellent analytical and communication skills and a creative spirit. SLU English graduates have worked as editors at major New York publishing houses and taught English at the university and high school levels. Others pursue law and have become attorneys in business and commercial litigation and clerked for federal judges. Alumni in the creative sector have directed digital strategy and advertising campaigns and written, directed, and produced feature films. Others consult for tech firms, serve as workforce management specialists, and enter careers in government and nonprofit agencies.

Some graduates enroll in master’s or doctoral programs to continue their English studies, finding placement in some of the nation’s leading programs in literary studies, creative writing and rhetoric. Others attend law school, medical school or MBA programs. Ìý

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Â鶹´«Ã½ also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Â鶹´«Ã½ undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.Ìý

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit mustÌýsubmit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Â鶹´«Ã½. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Â鶹´«Ã½
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition $54,760

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Â鶹´«Ã½ education:

  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Â鶹´«Ã½ makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Graduates of the SLU Department of English B.A. program will be able to:

  1. Write with clarity, style and rhetorical precision;
  2. Describe the relationship between historical contexts and literary and rhetorical works;
  3. Analyze how form, medium and genre contribute to meaning in a variety of works;
  4. Use critical and theoretical concepts to connect literary works to larger fields of inquiry;
  5. Articulate ethical and political implications of literary and rhetorical works for communities beyond the University.

The English, B.A. degree requires 30 credits in ENGL.

Undergraduate University Core32-35
Major Requirements
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3000Encountering English3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3020Shapes of English3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4140Reading & Writing Justice3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4960Senior Capstone Workshop3
Early and Late Texts & Contexts Courses6
One course, 3 credits, with the Early Texts & Contexts attribute, such as:
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3250
British Literary Traditions to 1800
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3270
American Literary Traditions to 1865
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3310
World Literary Traditions I
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3470
Introduction to Shakespeare
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3570
Writing Sex in the Middle Ages
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4035
Histories of Persuasion
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4100
History of the English Language
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4290
Topics in Medieval Literature
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4350
17th Century Literature
One course, 3 credits, with the Late Texts & Contexts attribute, such as:
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3260
British Literary Traditions after 1800
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3280
American Literatures after 1865
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3500
Literature of the Postcolonial World
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3520
African American Literary Traditions II: After 1900
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3625
The Sacramental Imagination: Modern American Catholicism in Literature, Rhetoric, and Film
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4500
The Age of Romanticism
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4530
Medicine, Mind, and Victorian Fiction
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4720
Contemporary American Literature
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4830
Post-1900 African American Literature
Electives12
Students can complete the electives as listed below OR complete a concentration by substituting concentration courses for electives as needed.
One ENGL course, 3 credits, at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level
Three ENGL courses, 9 credits, at the 3000- or 4000-level
General Electives55-58
Total Credits120

Concentrations within the English Major

Students areÌýnot required to declare a concentration in the major; students may earn the general BA in English by successfully completing the requirements outlined above.ÌýHowever, students mayÌýchoose to add optional concentrations in Creative Writing, Research Intensive English, or Rhetoric, Writing and Technology. Students who choose a concentration will complete the courses required for the general BA in English, but will substitute concentration courses for elective courses as needed.

Continuation Standards

All English courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to count for English major requirements and for the student to continue in the major.

Creative Writing Concentration

Students choose 9 credits of ENGL courses at the 3000- and/or 4000-level with the Creative Writing attribute, such as:9
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3050
Creative Writing: Poetry
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3060
Creative Writing: Fiction
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3070
Creative Writing: Drama
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3080
Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3100
Topics in Creative Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4050
The Craft of Poetry
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4060
The Craft of Fiction
ENGL 4070
The Craft of Creative Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4120
Writing with Style
Students choose 3 credits of either an elective ENGL literature course at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level or an additional ENGL course with the Creative Writing attribute, such as those listed above.3
Total Credits12

Research Intensive English Concentration

Two ENGL courses at the 4000-level with the Research Intensive English attribute6
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4990Senior Honors Project (OR another ENGL course at the 4000-level with the Research Intensive English attribute)3
Total Credits9

Rhetoric, Writing and Technology Concentration

Four ENGL courses, 12 credits, at the 3000- or 4000-level with the Rhetoric, Writing & Technology attribute, such as:12
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3850
Persuasive Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3875
Conflict Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3854
Living Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3859
Writing Consulting: Forms, Theories, Practice
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3860
Public Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4000
Professional Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4010
New Media Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4025
Technical Writing
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4035
Histories of Persuasion
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4120
Writing with Style

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
  • Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
  • Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
  • Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
  • Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
  • Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
  • Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Â鶹´«Ã½ or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Â鶹´«Ã½ or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

General Major

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies °ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1900) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
ENGLÌý2250 Conflict, Social Justice and Literature (Fulfills Core Equity and Global Identities: Dignity, Ethics, and a Just Society) 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Two
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3000 Encountering English 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3020 Shapes of English 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3470 Introduction to Shakespeare (satisfies COREÌý3400) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Year Three
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3060 Creative Writing: Fiction (satisfies COREÌý2800) 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4830 Post-1900 African American Literature 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4140 Reading & Writing Justice 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Four
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4530 Medicine, Mind, and Victorian Fiction 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4010 New Media Writing (Fulfills Core Eloquentia Perfecta: Writing Intensive) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4960 Senior Capstone Workshop 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
ÌýTotal Credits120

Creative Writing Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies °ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1900) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
ENGLÌý2250 Conflict, Social Justice and Literature (Fulfills Core Equity and Global Identities: Dignity, Ethics, and a Just Society) 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Two
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3000 Encountering English 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3020 Shapes of English 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3060 Creative Writing: Fiction (satisfies COREÌý2800) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Year Three
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3050 Creative Writing: Poetry 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3470 Introduction to Shakespeare (satisfies COREÌý3400 and fulfills Core Eloquentia Perfecta: Writing Intensive) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4140 Reading & Writing Justice 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Four
Fall
ENGLÌý4070 The Craft of Creative Writing 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4720 Contemporary American Literature 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4960 Senior Capstone Workshop 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
ÌýTotal Credits120

Research Intensive English (RIE) Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies °ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1900) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
ENGLÌý2250 Conflict, Social Justice and Literature (Fulfills Core Equity and Global Identities: Dignity, Ethics, and a Just Society) 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Two
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3000 Encountering English 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3020 Shapes of English 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3470 Introduction to Shakespeare (satisfies COREÌý3400 and fulfills Core Eloquentia Perfecta: Writing Intensive)) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Year Three
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3050 Creative Writing: Poetry (satisfies COREÌý2800) 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4830 Post-1900 African American Literature (Research Intensive English Seminar) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4140 Reading & Writing Justice 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Four
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4500 The Age of Romanticism (Research Intensive English Seminar) 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4960 Senior Capstone Workshop 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4990 Senior Honors Project (Research Intensive English Thesis) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
ÌýTotal Credits120

Rhetoric, Writing and Technology Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies °ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1900) 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3000 Encountering English 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Two
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3860 Public Writing (Fulfills Core Eloquentia Perfecta: Writing Intensive) 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3020 Shapes of English 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3875 Conflict Writing 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Year Three
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý3470 Introduction to Shakespeare (satisfies COREÌý3400) 3
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4010 New Media Writing 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4140 Reading & Writing Justice 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
Year Four
Fall
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4120 Writing with Style 3
ENGLÌý4680 Major Post-Colonial Writers 3
Core and elective courses 9
ÌýCredits15
Spring
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý4960 Senior Capstone Workshop 3
Core and elective courses 12
ÌýCredits15
ÌýTotal Credits120

Students can complete all or part of the English major at SLU’s campus in Madrid.

Learn More

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.Ìý