Mar 23, 2026

2024-2026 Academic Catalog

English, B.A.

Location(s): Dickinson Campus, Online, DSUlive, Bismarck Campus

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Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in English is a major within the School of Education. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

Degree Requirements:

General Education Courses

Major Courses
Minor Courses
Foreign Language Requirement
Electives

Degree available in Bismarck, Williston, DSUlive, and online

Upon completion of this program, students are able to enter the work world or pursue graduate or professional studies. Graduates can use their skills for careers as writers for corporate enterprises, for careers as college or university instructors, or for careers in legal professions.

Career Options

Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree - English?

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English study a wide range of writing styles and literature, learning vital communication, analytical, and argumentation skills. Students can pursue many careers with this degree, including law, technical writing, public policy, management, and human resources. Because the degree develops essential skills, students are qualified for many different professional areas and can easily change careers.

Possible Career Paths

Speech Writer
Research Specialist
Correspondent
Editor

Requirements

Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses in this program. Students must also earn a grade of “C” or higher in ENGL 110 - College Composition I (or ENGL 111H - Honors Composition I ) and ENGL 120 - College Composition II (or ENGL 121H - Honors Composition II ).

Requirements

ENGL 240 - Masterpieces World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 250 - Masterpieces of British Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 260 - Masterpieces of American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 315 - Structure and History of English Credits: 3
ENGL 320 - Modern Grammar Credits: 3
ENGL 382 - Adolescent Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 440 - Literary Criticism Credits: 3

Subtotal: 21

Select one of the following:

ENGL 350 - Studies in American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 355 - Studies in Major American Writers Credits: 3

Subtotal: 3

Select one of the following:

ENGL 325 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 425 - British Romantic Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 430 - British Victorian Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 435 - Modern British Literature Credits: 3

Subtotal: 3

Select two of the following (not previously taken):

ENGL 325 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 350 - Studies in American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 355 - Studies in Major American Writers Credits: 3
ENGL 360 - Studies in Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 370 - Studies in Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 380 - Studies in Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 425 - British Romantic Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 430 - British Victorian Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 435 - Modern British Literature Credits: 3

Subtotal: 6

Total: 33

Semester Sequence

First Semester

COMM 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credits: 3
CSCI 101 - Introduction to Computers Credits: 3
ENGL 110 - College Composition I Credits: 3
HPER 100 - Concepts of Fitness & Wellness Credits: 2
UNIV 100 - Freshman Seminar Credits: 1

Subtotal: 12

Second Semester

ENGL 120 - College Composition II Credits: 3
General Education - Human Behavior and Governance Course Credits: 3
General Education - Mathematics Course Credits: 3-4
General Education - Natural Science Course/Lab Credits: 4
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 16-17

Third Semester

ENGL 211 - Introduction to Creative Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 260 - Masterpieces of American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 320 - Modern Grammar Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Fourth Semester

ENGL 250 - Masterpieces of British Literature Credits: 3
General Education - Social Science Course Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Fifth Semester

ENGL 315 - Structure and History of English Credits: 3
SPAN 101 - First Year Spanish I Credits: 4
Elective - Upper Division British Literature Course (ENGL 325 , ENGL 360 , ENGL 370 , ENGL 380 , ENGL 425 , ENGL 430 , or ENGL 435 ) Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 16

Sixth Semester

ENGL 240 - Masterpieces World Literature Credits: 3
SPAN 102 - First Year Spanish II Credits: 4
Elective - Upper Division American Literature Course (ENGL 350 or ENGL 355 ) Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 16

Seventh Semester

ENGL 382 - Adolescent Literature Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Eighth Semester

ENGL 440 - Literary Criticism Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3
Minor Course - Course from minor field of study Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Student Learning Outcomes

By “text” we mean discourse in any form relevant to the study of English language and literature, inclusive of primary and secondary literature, essays, and historical and linguistic artifacts.

Upon completion of the B.A English program requirements, students will be proficient in these learning outcomes for the core courses:

Analyze texts and their component parts, applying appropriate literary terminology, and recognize relevant ideas, concepts, theories, and/or practical approaches evident in the text and different contexts. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, II, and VII.)
Develop writing projects in interrelated stages (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing) that show and understanding for writing as a process within a given rhetorical situation. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, VII, and VIII.)
Demonstrate ethical and informed research practices. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I and X.)