2026-2027

English, Bachelor of Arts

Department of English

College of Arts and Letters

Pending Arizona Board of Regents and Higher Learning Commission approval.

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.

  • 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.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

     

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 42 units of major requirements.

  • 16 units of Foreign Language Requirements.

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

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

  • Read, critique, present about, and interpret written, spoken, and multimodal texts using appropriate strategies and/or methodologies across various contexts, genres, registers, and media.
  • Compose and revise texts effectively and appropriately.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of literary, linguistic, rhetorical, creative, and/or professional writing histories and conventions.
  • Collaborate effectively with peers.
  • Conduct ethical primary and secondary research.
  • Demonstrate reflective practices in English Studies.

Major Requirements

  • This major requires 58 units distributed as follows:

    • English Coursework: 27 units
    • English Certificate or Additional Electives Requirement - Select one: 15 units
      • Creative Writing Certificate Option
      • Linguistics Certificate Option
      • Literature Certificate Option
      • Rhetoric and Professional Writing Certificate Option
      • Additional Electives Option
    • Foreign Language: 16 units


    Take the following 58 units:

    • The following coursework must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better.
    • At least 18 units must be completed at NAU.

  • English Coursework (27 units)

    • 100-level ENG coursework (3 units)
    • 200-level ENG coursework (3 units)
    • 300-level ENG coursework (6 units)
    • 400-level ENG coursework (9 units)
    • ENG Junior-Level Writing course which meets the junior-level writing requirement. (3 units)
    • ENG Capstone course which meets the senior capstone requirement. (3 units)

    • Additional Electives Option (15 units)

      • Select additional ENG electives (15 unit)
        • A minimum of 9 units must upper-division.
        • Select courses in consultation with your advisor.
Foreign Language Requirement

  • 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)

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • 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:

      • 400-level ENG coursework (0 - 3 units)
      • 500-level ENG coursework (9 - 12 units)
    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.

      Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • Major Requirements

      This major requires 58 units distributed as follows:

      • English Coursework: 27 units
      • English Certificate or Additional Electives Requirement - Select one: 15 units
        • Creative Writing Certificate Option
        • Linguistics Certificate Option
        • Literature Certificate Option
        • Rhetoric and Professional Writing Certificate Option
        • Additional Electives Option
      • Foreign Language: 16 units


      Take the following 58 units:

      • The following coursework must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better.
      • At least 18 units must be completed at NAU.

    • English Coursework (27 units)

      • 100-level ENG coursework (3 units)
      • 200-level ENG coursework (3 units)
      • 300-level ENG coursework (6 units)
      • 400-level ENG coursework (9 units)
      • ENG Junior-Level Writing course which meets the junior-level writing requirement. (3 units)
      • ENG Capstone course which meets the senior capstone requirement. (3 units)

      • Additional Electives Option (15 units)

        • Select additional ENG electives (15 unit)
          • A minimum of 9 units must be at the 500-level
          • Select courses in consultation with your advisor.
  • Foreign Language

  • 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:

General Electives

  • 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.

Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.