While the core curriculum focuses on a broad base of literature and linguistics courses, you will be able to customize the major to suit your interests by pursuing an emphasis in general studies, secondary education or creative writing.??

General Studies Emphasis:?Courses include literary criticism, linguistics, advanced writing and a wide breadth of literature core courses and electives. The emphasis is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate studies, law school or other professional careers.

Creative Writing Emphasis:?Courses include fiction writing, poetry writing and stylistics. While all courses in the emphasis are focused on writing production, students will gain knowledge and skills in literature and linguistics through the major?s core curriculum.

Secondary Education Emphasis:?Courses prepare students to teach at the middle and high school levels with literature, academic writing, critical analysis and methods topics. If you choose the secondary education emphasis, you will also pursue a?supplemental major in secondary education.?Upon completion, you will hold a Bachelor of Arts in English and will meet the requirements to obtain a teaching license in the State of Illinois.?

To earn an undergraduate degree in English, you will complete at least 120 semester hours total in general education and English courses.