Bachelor of Arts-English

The English programs at Texas A&M University-Texarkana afford students the ability to work closely with a small, diverse faculty of dedicated and accomplished teachers and scholars in a curriculum emphasizing literature, writing, literary studies, and language.

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in English provide students with a strong background in American, British, and World literatures and in literary criticism. The core of the B.A. and B.S. programs in English consists of required survey courses (ENGL 2321, ENGL 2326, and ENGL 2331), ENGL 2360: Introduction to Literary Studies, as well as Advanced American Literature (ENG 442), Advanced British Literature (ENG 472), and Advanced World Literature (ENG 445). Modern English Grammar and Usage (ENG 320) as well as History and Structure of the English Language (ENG 424) provide students with an understanding of the English language's history and development over time as well as contemporary uses while Advanced Expository Writing (ENG 340) ensures English majors and minors develop knowledge and skills necessary for successful expression in writing. 

Other course offerings build upon this foundational content while allowing for deeper and more meaningful engagement in particular areas of literature, like Shakespeare and His Contemporaries (ENG 312), ENG 430Studies in Women's LiteratureENG 305Children's LiteratureENG 306Young Adult Literature, and ENG 450Studies in Genre which can be repeated across the available options (Drama, Essay, International Short Story, and Poetry). Students can develop greater depth in rhetoric and composition through ENG 310: Rhetoric, Argumentation, and Persuasion and/or ENG 410: Writing Processes & Strategies

ENG 497: Special Topics allow students to customize their degree plans. English majors also participate in a capstone course, ENG 491, during the semester they graduate.

Within the program, our students certainly develop a pleasure and skill in reading with comprehension and insight. English majors also develop the skill to write effectively and even beautifully.  However, while central to the program, these are not the only advantages for our students.  The program in English grounds students in language skills and analytic practices allowing our majors to develop tools that not only retain their value, unlike in technical fields, but also transfer easily to specialized work in graduate and professional schools as well as in the workplace.  Ultimately, a degree in English is a wonderful portal to careers and advanced degrees in and out of English. 

Career Options

Education: College level, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Private Schools, Teaching English as a Second Language, Tutoring, Educational Administration, Editorial Assistant, Copyediting/Proofreading, Internships, Production, Marketing/Publicity, Publishing, Journalism, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, Creative Writing, Copywriting, Technical Writing, Science Writing, Freelance Writing, and Grant Writing.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree requires two years of the same foreign language (12 SCH) as part of the general-education requirements.  Two years of study in the same foreign language in high school may substitute for the first year (6 SCH) of the same language at the university level.  Students may not complete all bachelor’s degrees as a BA.  See the degree program listing for the programs that allow the BA option.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English requires a Minor.  Both the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and College of Business, Engineering and Technology offer a variety of minors.  Please visit each colleges section of the catalog to review the available minors and their requirements.

Degree Requirements

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

Major Requirements 6
General Education Requirements42
ENGL 1301Composition I 83
ENGL 1302Composition II 83
or ENGL 2311 Technical Writing & Communication
ENGL 2321British Literature 83
ENGL 2326American Literature 83
ENGL 2331World Literature 83
ENGL 2340Writing Across the Curriculum3
or ENGL 2307 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 2360Introduction to Literary Studies3
ENG 305Children's Literature I3
or ENG 306 Young Adult Literature
ENG 312Shakespeare and His Contemporaries3
ENG 320Modern English Grammar and Usage3
ENG 350Advanced Technical Writing3
ENG 424History and Structure of the English Language3
ENG 442Advanced American Literature (EL)3
ENG 445Advanced World Literature3
ENG 472Advanced British Literature3
ENG 491Capstone in English Studies3
9 semester credit hours of Upper Division English Electives from ENG 300 - 4999
Minor18
Minimum of 18 semester credit hours from minors listed in the catalog
Other Requirements
Language Requirement (same Foreign language) 912
Electives (as needed to satisfy minimum degree requirements including 45 semester credit hours of Upper Division Coursework)
Minimum Hours for Degree 120
6

Minimum Grade of 'C' required in all Major Courses

8

Satisfies Core Curriculum

9

May be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

 NOTE: A minimum of 45 upper division hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for this degree.  Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in three areas for graduation: Overall GPA, Institutional GPA, and Major GPA.

Bachelor of Arts-English

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

First Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 1301Composition I Minimum grade of "C" required, Satisfies Core Curriculum3
HIST 1301United States History I Satisfies Core Curriculum3
IS 1100University Foundations Mandatory for FTIC students1
ENGL 2360Introduction to Literary Studies3
Mathematics Core Curriculum Requirement3
Select one course from the following for the Creative Arts Core Curriculum Requirement:3
British Literature Minimum grade of "C" required
American Literature Minimum grade of "C" required
World Literature Minimum grade of "C" required
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours15-16
SpringSemester Credit Hours
Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core Curriculum Requirement:3
ENGL 1302Composition II Minimum grade of "C" required, Satisfies Core Curriculum3
or ENGL 2311 Technical Writing & Communication
HIST 1302United States History II Satisfies Core Curriculum3
COMM 1307Introduction to Mass Communication Satisfies Core Curriculum3
or SPCH 1315 Public Speaking
or COMM 1311 Introduction to Communication Studies
Select one course from the following for the Component Area Option B Core Curriculum Requirement:3
British Literature Minimum grade of "C" required
American Literature Minimum grade of "C" required
World Literature Minimum grade of "C" required
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours15
Total First Year Semester Credit Hours30-31

Second Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
Foreign Language 3
PSCI 2305U.S. Government and Politics3
Life and Physical Science Core Curriculum Requirement:3-4
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Curriculum Requirement:3
Select one course from the following for Major Requirement:3
British Literature Minimum grade of "C" required, Satisfies Core Curriculum
American Literature Minimum grade of "C" required, Satisfies Core Curriculum
World Literature Minimum grade of "C" required, Satisfies Core Curriculum
ENGL 2340Writing Across the Curriculum3
or ENGL 2307 Introduction to Creative Writing
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours18
SpringSemester Credit Hours
Foreign Language3
PSCI 2306State and Local Government3
Life and Physical Science Core Curriculum Requirement:3-4
Minor Required Course Minimum of 18 SCH required for Minor3
Minor Required Course3
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours15
Total Second Year Semester Credit Hours33

Third Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
ENG 320Modern English Grammar and Usage Minimum grade of "C" required3
ENG 350Advanced Technical Writing3
Foreign Language3
ENG 442Advanced American Literature (EL)3
Upper Division English Elective: ENG 300-4993
Minor Required Course Minimum 18 semester credit hours from minor listed in catalog3
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours18
SpringSemester Credit Hours
ENG 312Shakespeare and His Contemporaries Minimum grade of "C" required3
ENG 424History and Structure of the English Language Minimum grade of "C" required3
Foreign Language3
ENG 305Children's Literature I minimum grade of 'C' required3
or ENG 306 Young Adult Literature
Minor Required Course3
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours15
Total Third Year Semester Credit Hours33

Fourth Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
ENG 445Advanced World Literature3
Upper Division English Elective: ENG 300-4993
Minor Required Course Minimum 18 semester credit hours from minor listed in catalog3
Minor Required Course Minimum 18 semester credit hours from minor listed in catalog3
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours12
SpringSemester Credit Hours
ENG 491Capstone in English Studies Minimum grade of "C" required3
ENG 472Advanced British Literature3
Minor Required Course Minimum 18 semester credit hours from minor listed in catalog3
Upper Division English Elective: ENG 300 to ENG 4993
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours12
Total Fourth Year Semester Credit Hours24
Minimum Hours for Degree120

 NOTE: A minimum of 46 upper division hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for this degree. Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in three areas for graduation: Overall GPA, Institutional GPA and Major GPA.