Through this plan, we seek to prepare you for any future that demands competence in literature, language, and writing. Our plans help you recognize the importance of logical thought in effective expression. They also help you strive for more persuasive or creative uses of English and appreciate the truth and quality of literature.
By studying the literature of different times and peoples, you can develop your historical and cultural imagination. Our plans can also prepare you to teach English in middle- and senior-high schools, pursue careers in the corporate world, and compete successfully in graduate and professional schools.
The study of English is more than just literature. Critical reading skills are crucial in any job, and writing skills are in demand from employers in many fields. You can apply the broad nature of the English degree to many arenas, including education. An English degree will also prepare you for graduate study, excellent rhetorical skills are a must in the law profession, and communication skills are vital in fields like counseling and advertising.
You'll enjoy our English department for many reasons--strong undergraduate degree programs, outstanding faculty, a wide range of courses, and more. Our friendly, mountain-town setting gives you the support you need to succeed. You can focus on creative writing, English education, general English studies, linguistics, literature, technical writing, or rhetoric.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| Progression Plan Link | Not Available |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Arts in English equips graduates with the essential skills in literature, language, and writing, fostering excellence in effective communication. Our degree program emphasizes the integration of research, critical thinking, and persuasive and creative uses of English. Graduates develop a deep appreciation for the discipline's historical and cultural understanding of diverse peoples. They also gain a global perspective on English and an awareness of the social, civic, and environmental responsibilities found in a liberal education.
Our students graduate with advanced literacy skills, abilities to conduct research in their disciplines, and the capacity to excel in graduate and professional schools and careers. Through our comprehensive curriculum, graduates are prepared to become productive, responsible members of their communities, contributing meaningfully to society.
Career Ready/Professional Preparation Statement
The English BA program covers all of the NACE Career Readiness Competencies in its coursework; see individual course syllabi for more information. All English courses address critical thinking and communication.
Student Learning Outcomes
This major requires 58 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 58 units:
English Coursework (27 units)
English Certificate or Additional Electives Requirement - Select one (15 units)
Additional Electives Option (15 units)
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Arts in English and start a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language at NAU.
A total of 12 units will be shared between the plans:
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:
Major Requirements
This major requires 58 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 58 units:
English Coursework (27 units)
English Certificate or Additional Electives Requirement - Select one (15 units)
Additional Electives Option (15 units)
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following:
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.