Major Options and Requirements
The English major requires a minimum of 30 credits in intermediate or advanced courses. All students must take English 241 and 242. All major courses are taken for 3 credits. Students are required to fulfill the L&S requirement of at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major completed in residence. All level courses numbered 204 and above count toward this requirement.
Students can choose one emphasis amongst three possible tracks in the Department:
Additionally, qualifying students may consider adding Honors in the Major or pursuing a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL). You can read more about specific requirements for each of these tracks and specializations under the appropriate tab below.
Have questions about the major beyond what’s covered here? Check out our list of frequently asked questions or contact our undergraduate adviser.
Undergraduate
Literature Emphasis
Description: Literature serves as the general emphasis for most majors in English. Your coursework will expose you to a wide range of English, American, and Anglophone literature from the medieval era to the present.
Requirements: Minimum of 30 credits at the intermediate or advanced level, for a total of 10 courses.
Course Breakdown:
Credits | Courses |
3 | English 241: Literature and Culture to the 18th Century |
3 | English 242: Literature and Culture from the 18th Century |
3 | One course in American Literature |
6 | Two pre-1800 courses, one of which can (but needn’t be) Shakespeare |
3 | English 214: The English Language OR one course in Composition and Rhetoric |
3 | English 245: Seminar in the Major |
9 | Three additional electives |
Creative Writing Emphasis
Description: Undergraduate with a particular interest in creative writing may combine a background in literature with a concentration of courses in fiction or poetry writing.
Requirements: Minimum of 30 credits at the intermediate or advanced level, for a total of 10 courses. Students must also complete three creative writing workshops and a capstone directed writing course across four different semesters.
You can find out more about the program on the Creative Writing website.
Course Breakdown:
Credits |
Courses |
3 | English 241: Literature and Culture to the 18th Century |
3 | English 242: Literature and Culture from the 18th Century |
3 | One course in American Literature |
3 | English 245: Seminar in the Major |
3 | English 214: The English Language OR one course in Composition and Rhetoric |
3 | One English elective numbered above 300 |
9 | Three creative writing workshops numbered above 300 |
3 | English 695: Directed Creative Writing |
**Note: Workshops numbered 301-307 may be repeated for credit. Students are allowed to take only one creative writing workshop a semester. All three required workshops must be completed prior to taking the Directed Creative Writing course (English 695).
Honors in Creative Writing (post-August 2014):
English 241
English 242
English 243 or any American literature course
English 381 or 245
English 214 or 204
English 481
4 Creative Writing workshops
English 695
Language & Linguistics Emphasis
Description: Undergraduate who wishes to combine a background in literature with a concentration of courses in the history and structure of the English language should consider this emphasis. Beyond core coursework in English literature, students will also receive training about the structure of English, phonology, and related topics.
Requirements: Minimum of 30 credits at the intermediate or advanced level, for a total of 10 courses. Students must also complete five courses (see below) in the field of language and linguistics.
Course Breakdown:
Credits |
Courses |
3 | English 241: Literature and Culture to the 18th Century |
3 | English 242: Literature and Culture from the 18th Century |
3 | One course in American Literature |
3 | English 245: Seminar in the Major |
3 | English 214: The English Language |
3 | English 314 Structure of English |
3 | English 516: English Grammar in Use OR English 514: English Syntax |
3 | English 315: English Phonology |
6 | Six more credits from the following: English 316, 318, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 514, 516, 520, 522 or 204 |
Honors Degree in English
Description: Honors in the Major provides English majors with the opportunity to do independent work on a question or topic about which they are curious and passionate. It allows the student to work closely with a faculty advisor to explore ideas culminating in a piece of scholarly research or creative work that moves beyond the scope of usual English coursework assignments.
Why Do It? Why not? Honors is for anyone who wants a more intense and rewarding research and writing experience. It can be very helpful to those interested in pursuing graduate study, but Honors is for anyone who simply wants to be able to demonstrate their ability to work independently, their enthusiasm for intellectual growth, and their interest and ability in writing.
How to Do It? First, students wishing to complete Honors in the Department of English should set up an appointment with the English Undergraduate Advisor.
The Undergraduate Advisor will discuss the application process with you, will help you craft a personal plan to complete the honors curriculum, and will facilitate securing a Professor to be your faculty advisor. We suggest that, if possible, students begin the honors curriculum in their sophomore year.
Honors in the Major Requirements:
- Declare the English major, and complete all Standard English Major Requirements before graduation. Honors in the Major students have to fulfill English Major requirements, though some English Major required courses may also count for Honors (see below).
- Maintain a 3.5 GPA in English courses.
- Maintain a 3.3 GPA in all University coursework.
- Take at least 12 credits in English for honors credit. This will include a one-semester Honors Project OR a two-semester Honors Thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
What Counts as an Honors in the Major Course?
- ENGL 680: The single semester independent study with your faculty advisor for an Honors project counts as one Honors course.
- ENGL 681 and 682: The two semesters of independent study with your faculty advisor for the Honors Thesis count as two Honors courses.
- Some classes are already listed as Honors or Honors-option in your student center.
- Other classes may be taken for Honors if you receive permission in advance from your professor, which may involve some extra work for the course.
- Study abroad courses may be taken for Honors. Consult with the Undergraduate Advisor to set up the necessary paperwork.
- If you are not sure if you can take a class for Honors, or if you are looking for a course to fulfill this requirement, ask the Undergraduate Advisor.
What Is Required for an Honors Project or Thesis?
- Content: The content of the independent work you pursue in Honors can differ. Projects and theses can involve traditional literary scholarship, more involved or lengthy works of creative writing, or work in linguistics or other areas pertinent to the major that require quantitative components.
- Work with your faculty advisor: No matter what kind of project you choose, you must do so under the supervision of a faculty advisor, with whom you will sign up for a one or two semester Honors independent study. If you are having trouble finding a faculty advisor, ask the Undergraduate Advisor for help.
- Completion of independent work (one of the following):
- Honors Project: you will sign up for ENGL 680 with your faculty advisor and will produce a substantial project by the end of that semester.
- Honors Thesis: The Honors Thesis (ENGL 681 and ENGL 682) is a lengthier project requiring more time to prepare and execute that will take two semesters of independent study with the faculty advisor to complete.
TESOL Certificate
Description: A Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is available to undergraduate students who wish to teach English as a foreign or second language, normally in positions abroad.
Requirements: The student must: complete a 21-credit program of prescribed upper-division courses, including a practicum, with a minimum GPA of 3.0; (if a native speaker of English) have satisfactorily completed at least four college-level terms (or the equivalent) of a modern foreign language, including its spoken form; and demonstrate the ability to speak and write English at a level commensurate with the role of language model. (Course listings and information here.)
This certificate records a course of study at UW-Madison; it is not necessarily equivalent to professional certification by other bodies, such as the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Read more here on the English as a Second Language page here.