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 (excluding 207 and 236) count toward this requirement.

Students can choose one emphasis amongst three possible tracks in the Department:

English Undergraduate Major Tracks

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 on the Guide.

Have questions about the major beyond what’s covered here? Check out our list of frequently asked questions or contact our Academic Advising Manager.

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.

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.

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.

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 Academic Advising Manager.

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, a two-semester Honors Thesis OR English 695 Directed Study Creative Writing under the supervision of a faculty 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.
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.
- Creative Writers will enroll in English 695: Creative Writing Directed Study

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 15-credit program. Course listings and information can be found 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.