BA in English
Aberdeen, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 28,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* estimated yearly total for international students; USD 17,677 - estimated yearly total for residents
Introduction
An English degree from NSU teaches valuable skills that transfer easily across disciplines and careers. NSU English students learn to write clearly, read critically, connect ideas meaningfully, understand diversity, relate historical context to human interactions, and see others empathetically.
NSU's English program is structured to help students tailor their major to suit their needs. Each student chooses from several program emphases, each of which prioritizes different skill sets and content to suit students’ own career goals.
NSU's English degree pairs well with other specializations, and students are encouraged to take minors, or even double major in areas such as history, business, political science, and art design.
Emphasis
Literature (BA) - Students interested in an English B.A. with literature emphasis prepare themselves for post-graduate ambitions that include law school and graduate study in English (in pursuit of the M.A. or Ph.D. in English). At Northern, this emphasis includes extra surveys in British and American literature as well as training in literary theory and an elective literature course.
Creative Writing (BA) - Students interested in an English B.A. with a creative writing emphasis may focus on at least two of three creative genres: non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. This emphasis also includes instruction in literary criticism and an additional survey of British literature.
Teaching (BA) - Students interested in the Teaching Emphasis within the BA degree in English prepare themselves either for the teaching they are likely to be called upon to do as graduate students in English (in pursuit of the BA or Ph.D.) or for tutoring or teaching that does not require state certification. This emphasis includes coursework in linguistics (modern grammar), rhetorical theory, and additional surveys of British and American literature. Students wishing to earn a state-certified teaching degree should consider the English B.S.Ed. degree instead of the B.A.
Teaching English as a Second Language (BA) - Students interested in the Teaching English as a Second Language Emphasis within the BA degree in English prepare themselves for teaching English either in the U.S. or abroad to students coming to English as their second language. This emphasis includes linguistics coursework (modern grammar, second-language development, and methods of teaching English as a second language) and cultural anthropology. Students preparing for careers in this area may also wish to pursue NSU’s twelve-credit Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Professional Writing (BA) - Students interested in an English B.A. with professional writing emphasis prepare themselves for business-oriented careers that include advertising, publicity, and grant writing. This emphasis includes coursework in graphic design, HTML, grant writing, and rhetorical theory. Students wishing to pursue a career in professional writing may wish to consider NSU’s minor in Professional Writing and Rhetoric, which may be taken along with the B.A. in English or any other four-year program.
Media Studies (BA) - Students interested in an English B.A. with media studies emphasis receive interdisciplinary instruction in writing, design, programming, and marketing - skills that are in demand in the evolving world of media and media production. Courses offer theory and hands-on practice, teaching students to create content and reflect upon media while acquiring skills in communication, problem-solving, planning, designing, writing, editing, producing, and collaborating. Career options include journalist, web content manager, advertising or public relations representative, art designer, news analyst/producer, production assistant, broadcast programmer, editor, publisher, and teacher.
Program Outcome
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of Anglophone, regional, and world literature across a breadth of literary periods, to make connections between those works and the historical/cultural context within which they were produced, and make connections between a literary work and the students' own cultural/personal context. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge)
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use literary terms accurately and appropriately. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
- Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze literary texts critically and deeply. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
- The students will demonstrate knowledge of the range and influence of print and non-print media and technology in contemporary culture. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
- Students will write coherent essays that employ the appropriate and responsible use of secondary sources as well as employ a range of rhetorical conventions appropriate for expository prose, creative writing, or journalism. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Students will demonstrate a professionally appropriate understanding of the structure of language, including usage patterns of standard American grammar. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
- Students will demonstrate growth in language usage and sophistication as readers as well as demonstrate self-efficacy in their ability to identify areas for improvement or potential growth. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
Curriculum
Emphasis in Literature
First Year Fall
- IDL 190, Freshman Seminar 2
- ENGL 101, Composition I 3
- SPCM 101, Fundamentals of Speech* 3
- Introductory or Intermediate Foreign Language 3-4
- HIST 122, Western Civilization II* 3
First Year Spring
- ENGL 284, Introduction to Criticism 3
- MATH 114/L, College Algebra* 3-4
- Introductory or Intermediate Foreign Language 3-4
- ARTH 100, Art Appreciation* 3
- ENGL 201, Composition II 3
Second Year Fall
- ANTH 210, Cultural Anthropology* 3
- ENGL 241, American Literature I 3
- PSYC 101, General Psychology* 3
- Introductory or Intermediate Foreign Language 3-4
- BIOL 211/L, Environmental Biology* 3
Second Year Spring
- GEOG 131/L, Physical Geography* 4
- ENGL 363, Literary Genres** 3
- ENGL 222, British Literature II 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
Third Year Fall
- ENGL 221, British Literature I 3
- PHIL 100, Intro to Philosophy* 3
- ENGL 213, Backgrounds to Literature** 3
- ENGL 242, American Literature II 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
Third Year Spring
- ENGL 413, Literature of the Ancient World*** 3
- ENGL 478, Creative Writing: Poetry** 3
- LING 443, Development of the English Language** 3
- ENGL 486, Rhetorical Theory and Practice 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
Fourth Year Fall
- ENGL 494, Internship 3
- ENGL 484, Literary Criticism 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
Fourth Year Spring
- ENGL 490, Senior Seminar** 3
- ENGL 488, Literary Studies Review 1
- ENGL 431, Shakespeare I** 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
*Fulfills a General Education Requirement. Other course options may be available.
**Fulfills a major requirement. Other course options may be available.
***Fulfills a general elective. Other course options may be available.
Suggested Double Majors: Communication Studies, History, Government, German, Spanish.
Suggested Minors: Communication Studies, Geography, History, Philosophy, German, Spanish.
Career Opportunities
Literature - News reporter, writer, editor, lawyer, marketing and public relations specialist, business owner, human resource specialist, web designer, university admissions consultant, sales representative, academic adviser, librarian, teacher, and college instructor
Creative Writing - News reporter, writer, editor, lawyer, marketing and public relations specialist, business owner, human resource specialist, web designer, university admissions consultant, sales representative, academic adviser, librarian, teacher, college instructor, artist, broadcaster, entertainer, administration and sales
Teaching BA – Educator, teaching English as a second language in the U.S. or abroad, employee development or training specialist, interviewer, education administrator, personnel specialist, public relations specialist, sales representative, media relations representative, non-profit administrator or educational consultant
TESOL - School educator, adult educator, employee development or training specialist, interviewer, education administrator, personnel specialist, public relations specialist, sales representative, media relations representative, non-profit administrator or educational consultant
Professional Writing - Technical writer and/or editor, medical writer, science writer, publications specialist, media and marketing associate, editorial assistant, copywriter, research assistant, reporter
Media Studies - News reporter, writer, editor, lawyer, marketing and public relations specialist, creative writer/copywriter and editor, fiction and nonfiction writer/editor
Internships
NSU's English program supports career readiness through internships that require students to apply their skills in the workplace. A three-credit internship is required of all English majors.
Internship requirements vary based on the chosen emphasis.
Potential internships include tutoring in the NSU Writing Center; co-editing the English Department’s student-run literary publication, Northern Lights, or The Exponent; the NSU student newspaper; assisting in communications and publicity at an area business or volunteer agency; working with regional marketing firms; tutoring in the NSU Writing Center; assisting an English faculty member in the delivery of literature or writing course; writer/copy editor at the hometown newspaper; grants assistance at the university; public relations for the community theater; or web design and archival work in a museum.
Admissions
English Language Requirements
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