Department of English
englmaj@umn.edu
612-625-3363

myU OneStop

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FAQ

Questions

Answers

Getting Started

1. How do I declare my English major/ minor?
Make an appointment to meet with an English advisor by calling 612-625-4592 or stop into the English Undergraduate Studies office in 227 Lind.

2. What courses do I need to take for an English major/ minor?
See the Course offerings and requirements page for information.

3. Who is my advisor? Why do I need to meet with an advisor?
Advising is a collaborative process with you at the center. During your academic career, you will have at least two advisors – your college advisor in CLA Advising or in the University Honors Program, and your departmental advisor in English.

In English, Beverly Atkinson is the Associate to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and she will meet with you if you are in Honors, are a prospective student, are planning to study abroad, have transfer credits, are pursuing a BIS/ IDIM degree, or if you wish to discuss major progress.

The Assistant Academic Advisor will meet with you if you are planning study abroad, have transfer credits, are a prospective student, are considering graduate school, or wish to discuss major progress.

Peer Advisors meet with students to check on progress and declare majors or minors.

4. I took English literature courses at another university. Can they count toward my U of M B.A. in English?
Courses may transfer to the major after evaluation of a course syllabus, sample essays, and description of major course requirements at your previous university. Please make an appointment to meet with Beverly Atkinson or the Graduate Academic Advisor, and bring as much information about the course(s) as you can. See also "Transfer Students".

Exceptions: All English courses completed at 2-year community colleges are accepted as equivalent to UM lower division (1000-level) courses, regardless of content.

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Making Progress

1. I have a registration hold – what do I do?
Check to make sure the hold is from the English department and that it is preventing you from registering for the upcoming semester. You can check this at the University’s One Stop page. If you find that you have a hold from our office, schedule an appointment to meet with an English advisor (call 612-625-4592). If you have recently met with an advisor, we may be able to remove your hold for one semester without an appointment.

2. I’m interested in teaching middle school or high school English. Are there certain courses I should take?
Yes. The University of Minnesota offers a 15-month post-graduate program to gain your licensure to teach middle school or high school. The College of Education English Education Advisor can advise you on the list of prerequisites you need to take. Advisors in the English department can also help you identify prerequisite courses.

3. I’m interested in teaching English at the college level. What should I do?
In most cases, to teach English at the college level you will need a graduate degree, at least an M.A., but more likely a terminal degree (M.F.A. for creative writers or Ph.D. for literary scholars). English Undergraduate Studies offers information sessions once a semester on applying to graduate school. You should also start talking with your professors. And, last but not least, acceptance into graduate school is highly competitive – the better your grades and the broader range of relevant coursework you take now, the more “attractive” you look to admissions committees. So, work hard and develop your interests!

4. I just tried to register for a section of EngL/EngW 3960W and I couldn’t get in even though there are still openings. Why?
There is an application process for EngL/EngW 3960W, Senior Seminar. The deadline for application for the fall sections is April 1, and for spring sections, November 1. Go to the Senior Seminar page for more inoformation.

5. I am planning to study abroad. Do I need to meet with an English advisor?
Yes, you will need to schedule an appointment with both your major and college (and minor, if relevant) advisors before you depart AND you will need to meet with your advisors on your return to have courses approved. Please remember that pre-study abroad planning does not in itself mean that courses you take abroad are approved for the major, which is why you need to meet with an advisor on your return, providing him or her with additional information on the courses you took.

6. What is a good way to balance my workload? How many English classes can I take at a time?
We recommend that you do not take more than two English classes per semester, so you can balance major requirements with those outside the major. However, this is a recommendation and we understand that specific circumstances may differ. If you wish to discuss semester planning further, please schedule an appointment with an advisor.

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Creative Writing

1. Can I get a B.A. in creative writing?
No, the University of Minnesota English department’s B.A. is focused primarily on literary studies. If you are interested in creative writing, however, you can take creative writing classes to meet the elective requirements for the major.

2. Can I minor in creative writing?
No, the English department does not offer a creative writing minor.

3. Can I complete my senior project in creative writing?
Yes, if you’re interested in the creative writing option for the Senior Project, we recommend a strong background in creative writing, along with experience in literary studies. The creative writing program offers a variety of genre-based creative writing classes at the intermediate and advanced levels. To complete your senior project in creative writing, we require that you have completed at least one intermediate level course in the genre (for example, EngW 3102, Intermediate Fiction, is a prerequisite for EngW 3960W, Senior Writing Workshop in Fiction) and six credits in EngW1000-level or EngW3000-level. The English Department cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete a senior project in creative writing. Admission to EngW 3960W is competitive because it is an advanced writing workshop for majors and because space is limited.

4. Should I go to graduate school for an M.A./ M.F.A. in creative writing?
Whether to go to graduate school is a big decision you should consider carefully. A good starting point is to ask yourself what reasons you have for wanting to go to graduate school for creative writing. To help make this decision, you should talk to creative writing faculty, your creative writing instructors, and an advisor in 227 Lind. In addition to discussing with you the application process and reasons for going to graduate school, you should read the contents of the Association of Writing Programs website, and consult the current edition of The AWP Official Guide to Writing Programs available in Wilson Library: Reference. To be accepted into graduate school for creative writing, excellent writing is the bottom line, but a lot of workshop experience and a broad range of coursework will also help.

Finally, the creative writing program offers a workshop – usually in November - on considering graduate school in creative writing. See calendar for more information and the schedule.

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Honors

1. What are the requirements for English Honors?
To complete an Honors program in English, students must first apply for admission to the Honors Program (20 Nicholson Hall) and plan a program with the Director or the Associate to the Director of English Undergraduate Studies (227 Lind Hall 612-625-4592). For further details see the English Honors program page.

2. Which English Honors courses are available this semester?
Typically, two 1000-level EngL honors courses are available in fall semester, and sometimes one 1000-level EngL honors course in spring semester.

Usually EngL 3001V Honors: Textual Analysis, and EngL 3007H Honors: Shakespeare are offered fall and spring semesters. Both courses serve Honors English majors and minors as well as other CLA Honors students. Look for at least one other 3000-level EngL or EngW course per semester.

3. Honors Senior Project
Talk with Beverly Atkinson about your senior project if you are in Honors. Summa cum laude English majors are required to complete a minimum of 4 credits in EngL 3883V Honors Thesis, available each semester. Honors English courses are not available in May or summer terms. Permission to write a creative honors thesis (EngL 3883V, for summa cum laude degree candidates) depends on your ability to demonstrate that you are an advanced creative writer of literary fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and to secure an appropriate faculty advisor.

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Senior Project

1. Can I complete my senior project during the summer?
No, senior projects must be completed over a full 15-week semester.

2. Can I complete my senior project as a directed study or at another university?
In most cases, the answer is no. You should plan to complete your senior project within a section of EngL 3960W (or EngW 3960W). We offer between six and eight senior seminar sections every semester.

3. Can I complete my senior project in creative writing?
Some advanced creative writers have the option to complete their creative senior project within the context of EngW 3960W. See the section on creative writing for more information.

4. I am a double major. Do I have to do my senior project in English?
No, you can choose the major in which to complete your senior project, although you must meet credit requirements in both majors. The exception to this is Honors students who must complete their senior project in English if English is their Honors major.

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What's Next?

1. Where can I go to get information about internships and job opportunities?
The University has a number of resources for information about internships and job opportunities relevant to English majors. For available internships in English, visit the English Undergraduate Studies Web site’s internships section.

Here, you can also link to the Career and Community Learning Center’s Web site to search for available internships and job opportunities in the area. For more information, visit the CCLC office, 135 Johnston Hall, where you can meet with staff and access career resources and job and internship listings. The English Undergraduate Studies Web site also offers tips on the application process in Applying for Jobs.

See also the Community link on the Creative Writing home page.

2. How do I apply for graduation?
While finishing up your degree during your last year at the University, meet with both an English advisor and college advisor to make sure you’re on track with the process and deadlines. Then, very early in your last semester, apply for graduation. CLA also offers a Steps to Graduation page where you can find suggestions for planning your last year at the University.

3. What types of jobs can I get with a degree in English?
The English major is very widely applicable, and it might seem intimidating when choosing how to use your English degree. For an idea of the types of jobs an English degree would be used for, go to the Career Advising section of the English Undergraduate Studies Web site.

The Career and Community Learning Center also offers a helpful page on its Web site called What can I do with a major in …? to find out about the myriad possibilities for English majors in the professional world.

In addition, the English department holds twice-yearly “What I Can Do With A Major In English” (WICDWAMIE) sessions, in which University alumni with degrees in English share their experiences in applying their degree. The sessions feature guest speakers who demonstrate the great variety of professions pursued by English majors.

4. After I get my degree in English, should I go to graduate school?
Many English majors ask this question, and there really is no definitive answer. There are a number of variables to consider when determining if graduate school is the right step for you to take after graduation, such as the career you’re working toward and the availability of finances. This question is best discussed with a professor, graduate student, or academic advisor, but for assistance, visit the Graduate and Professional Studies section of the English Undergraduate Studies Web site.

It is also helpful to research the career you’re interested in and to see what others in that field have done and what is required for the position. If you do decide that graduate school is right for you, the English Undergraduate Studies Web site offers tips on getting through the application process.

The English department also offers two sessions, “Applying for Graduate School” and “Writing the Personal Statement for Graduate School,” to help students out with this long process.

The Career and Community Learning Center also has helpful graduate school information.

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Academic adviser Beverly Atkinson

"Participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) was one of the most defining experiences of my undergraduate education. The project introduced me to a network and community of resources that broadened my knowledge of the value and practice of research. . . . Perhaps the most empowering part of the project, however, was eventually realizing that others were genuinely interested in what I thought and said, and that it is never too early to begin asking questions."

Mark A.

Address: 207 Lind Hall, 207 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-625-3363
Email: englmaj@umn.edu

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer
Last modified on September 25, 2009

FAQ

Questions

Getting Started

Making Progress

Creative Writing

Honors

Senior Project

What's next?

Answers

Getting Started

Making Progress

Creative Writing

Honors

Senior Project

What's Next?