School of Arts & Humanities · Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor of Arts in English
Read deeply, write well, and think critically.
Love stories and the power of words? MVU’s BA in English builds a foundation in literature, language, and writing that prepares you for graduate school or a professional career, ending with a senior thesis of your own.
120
credit hours to graduate
40
credit hours in the major
On campus
in Marshall, Missouri
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why English at MVU
Literature, language, and writing
Study great writing from around the world, then create your own.
Literature
Read world, American, British, and multi-ethnic American literature and major authors.
Writing
Choose from creative, technical, persuasive, and grant writing, plus film studies and playwriting.
Senior thesis
Refine a scholarly paper, short stories, poems, or a novella into your senior thesis.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Love to read and write.
- Want to write professionally or creatively.
- Prepare for graduate school, law school, or publishing.
- Build communication skills every employer values.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Describe how the English language developed.
- Analyze works by authors of diverse backgrounds.
- Identify major literary movements in context.
- Write logical arguments, professional prose, and creative work.
- Write researched literary analysis using critical methods.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
English core
25 credit hours: 15 in literature surveys, plus critical theory, history of the English language, research methods, and senior thesis.
03
Literature and writing
15 credit hours of additional literature, writing, film, and creative courses.
04
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Good to know: Students seeking teaching certification should see the English 9–12 certification.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
English core (25 credit hours)
Literature surveys (choose 15 credit hours)
- ENGL 200 World Literature I
- ENGL 201 World Literature II
- ENGL 220 American Literature I
- ENGL 225 American Literature II
- ENGL 230 British Literature I
- ENGL 235 British Literature II
- ENGL 260 Introduction to Film Studies
Required (10 credit hours)
- ENGL 345 Critical Theory
- ENGL 360 History of the English Language
- ENGL 395 Research Methods in the Humanities
- ENGL 485 Senior Thesis (1 credit)
Writing, film, and creative courses (15 credit hours from)
- ENGL 250 Introduction to Creative Writing
- ENGL 305 Advocacy and Grant Writing
- ENGL 310 Movements in Film
- ENGL 326 Advanced Argument
- ENGL 327 Technical and Professional Writing
- ENGL 375 Movements in British Literature
- ENGL 377 Movements in American Literature
- ENGL 378 Studies in World Literature
- ENGL 380 Multi-Ethnic American Literature
- ENGL 400 Advanced Creative Writing
- ENGL 401 Internship (1 credit)
- ENGL 431 Major Authors
- COMM 415 Political Communication and Speech Writing
- MASC 370 Freelance Writing
- THEA 270 Playwriting
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
What can my senior thesis be?
You’ll refine work you started in earlier English courses and can choose between a research thesis on English language or literature, a collection of short stories, nonfiction essays, or poems, or a novella.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, your thesis, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
BA in English
