English Major
Through its challenging and rewarding program of study, the Department of English, Writing & Journalism introduces students to the formative traditions in literature; supports students as they develop as creative and professional writers; and provides students with a wide array of news writing, reporting, editing and multimedia skills.
In the course of our program, students will integrate close reading and extensive writing. They will also present fundamentals of research in order to foster intellectual maturity and to prepare for more advanced study in literature and writing.
English majors can explore their particular interests through a variety of courses in literature, writing, theatre/drama, and journalism.
The English major thus equips our students to enter many careers, including teaching, publishing, editing, writing, and business. Current graduates include college professors, teachers, journalists, novelists, poets, lawyers, pharmacists, physicians, and public-relations specialists.
Goal 1: Study literature in diverse genres and by diverse authors.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to analyze and examine how the study of literature reveals the diversity of human experience and the complex and dynamic nature of culture and literary expression.
Goal 2: Learn diverse principles of composing as modeled by diverse authors.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to identify, analyze, and apply rhetorical, aesthetic, material, technical, and/or creative principles of composing.
Goal 3: Develop core journalistic skills for diverse and inclusive storytelling.
Outcome 3.1: Students will be able to analyze and/or apply core journalistic skills in research, interviewing, storytelling, and editing across various media platforms, taking into account their ethical responsibilities in decision-making, and/or best practices for diverse and inclusive storytelling.
Goal 4: Participate in and reflect on experiential learning opportunities.
Outcome 4.1: Students will be able to engage in and critically reflect upon experiential learning opportunities–such as internships, study abroad programs, and/or service-learning courses.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
In consultation with, and with the approval of their faculty advisor, English Majors must complete three additional courses within the College of Arts & Sciences but outside the English major, with no more than two classes taken from the same department.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | Credits | |
| 2 Literature Courses | 6 | |
| 2 Writing Courses | 6 | |
| 1 Sophomore Seminar | 3 | |
| 2 ENG Diversity Courses 1 | 6 | |
| 3 ENG Electives | 9 | |
| 1 Experiential Learning Overlay 2 | ||
1 These courses must be taken in addition to the GEP Diversity and DGNW requirements; they cannot double count for the GEP Diversity or Diversity/Globalization/non-Western studies overlays.
2 Majors must also take an Experiential Learning Overlay (i.e., service learning, study abroad, or internship course), either as one of the ten required ENG courses or as a course from a different subject area.
Independent Studies and Internships
English majors who have completed four regular semesters with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (or a cumulative average of 3.4 or higher for courses in English) may apply for credit in an independent study program, generally involving a topic that is not typically offered in the English curriculum and that will enrich the student’s study in the major. At the end of the sophomore or early in the junior year, interested students should submit a written proposal describing, with particulars, the planned study project. The minimum requirement for such a proposal is that it include a substantial critical or creative writing project. If the proposal is accepted, the student will be assigned a faculty mentor who will oversee the writing project, offer advice on readings, help with the selection of courses, and establish a timetable for the completion of the writing project. The project may extend over one or two semesters. Serious and satisfactory work for one semester will earn three credits. A student who successfully completes the two-semester project will receive six credits.
The English Internship course ENG 492 is designed to guide students who wish to earn credit for professional work experience in areas such as writing, editing, social media management, or journalism. Possible venues include, but are not limited to, newspapers and magazines, academic journals, publishing companies, television stations, radio stations, public relations firms and communications departments, online media outlets, advertising agencies, governmental and university departments, nonprofit organizations, and private and public schools. Students must complete a minimum of 112 hours at the internship site during the semester. Course requirements include a statement of goals, a journal or field notes, a profile of an English graduate for the English Department blog, attendance at a career-related panel or activity, a letter of assessment from an internship supervisor, a final Reflection Essay, and an updated resume or link to a web-based resume. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (or cumulative average of 3.4 or higher for courses in the major field), or permission of instructor is required.
The independent study and internship courses are:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 370 | Independent Study:Jr. Level | 3 |
| ENG 470 | Independent Study:Senior Level | 3 |
| ENG 492 | English Internship | 3 |
| ENG 493 & ENG 494 | Indep Research Project (Fall) and Indep Research Project (SPR) | 6-9 |
Free Electives
Thirteen to sixteen courses, depending on how many courses are required in the variable core.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language (or ENG 102, if AP credit for ENG 101) | 3 |
| HIS 154 | Forging the Modern World (or First Year Seminar) | 3 |
| PHL 154 or THE 154 |
Moral Foundations or Catholic Theological Tradition |
3 |
| Non-Native Language 1 | 3 | |
| Math Beauty or Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Texts & Contexts (or ENG Literary Theory/Writing Pedagogy Course for students with AP credit for ENG 101) | 3 |
| First Year Seminar or HIS 154 Forging the Modern World | 3 | |
| THE 154 or PHL 154 |
Catholic Theological Tradition or Moral Foundations |
3 |
| Non-Native Language 2 | 3 | |
| Math Beauty or Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Sophomore Seminar (or another ENG course) | 3 | |
| Art/Lit or Integrative Learning Course | 3 | |
| Philosophical Anthropology or Religious Difference | 3 | |
| Integrative Learning Course | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Sophomore Seminar (or another ENG course) | 3 | |
| Art/Lit or Integrative Learning Course | 3 | |
| Philosophical Anthropology or Religious Difference | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 3 | |
| Integrative Learning Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| English Courses | 6 | |
| Free-Electives | 6 | |
| Natural Science or Faith & Reason | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| English Courses | 6 | |
| Free-Electives | 6 | |
| Natural Science or Faith & Reason | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| English Courses | 6 | |
| Natural Science (2nd non-lab)/Elective | 3 | |
| Free-Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| English Courses | 6 | |
| Free-Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Students majoring in English who complete the English/Secondary Education Dual Major may apply to obtain an Instructional I, Secondary Education (12) Teaching Certificate from the State of Pennsylvania. In addition to their English advisor, English/Secondary Education dual majors will also be assigned an advisor from the Education Department who will guide them through their required Education courses. The Education advisor will also assist students seeking teacher certification in formally applying for the teacher certification program, usually in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll in EDU 491 Secondary Student Teaching in their senior year. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain teacher certification upon graduation.
Pennsylvania’s Secondary (referred to as "secondary" or "7-12") preparation program guidelines require a professional core of courses, early and varied field experiences, and student teaching. In addition to the subject-specific content requirements for secondary programs that are met by the student’s major, candidates for the 7-12 teaching certificate in Pennsylvania must complete a prescribed sequence of coursework, which includes the specific requirements for Accommodations and Adaptations for Diverse Learners in Inclusive Settings and Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners under §49.13(4)(i)).
Below is the required program for students to be eligible for a PA Level I Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 230 | Eval: Secondary Grades 7-12 | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 205 | Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | 3 |
The following are recommended for satisfying both Education and GEP requirements1: EDU 150 Schools in Society w/ Field for the first-year seminar, EDU 157 Adolescent Development w/ Field for the social and behavioral science requirement and SPE 160 for the Ethics-Intensive overlay.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English Major Requirements | ||
| Two ENG Literature Courses | 6 | |
| Two ENG Writing Courses | 6 | |
| ENG 222 | SophSem:Critical App Lit Study | 3 |
| Two ENG Diversity Courses | 6 | |
These courses must be taken in addition to the GEP Diversity and DGNW requirements; they cannot double count for the GEP Diversity or Diversity/Globalization/non-Western studies overlays | ||
| Three ENG Electives | 9 | |
| Experiential Learning Overlay | 3 | |
(i.e. student teaching, service learning, study tour, or internship course.) This course can be completed in English or a different subject area. | ||
| Education Major Requirements | ||
| EDU 150 | Schools in Society w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 157 | Adolescent Development w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 230 | Eval: Secondary Grades 7-12 | 3 |
| EDU 246 | Language and Culture w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 247 | Literacy in Cont Areas w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 410 | Instr Techniq English w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 491 | Secondary Student Teaching | 12 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 205 | Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | 3 |
| MAT 111 | The Mathematics of Patterns or higher Math course | 3 |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- 1
In order to meet the certification requirements for the English/Secondary Education Dual Major, students are required to take an additional math class beyond the GEP Math Beauty requirement.
4+1 Program in Writing Studies
The Writing Studies MA program at Saint Joseph's University offers undergraduate students the option to take three courses (or nine credits) toward a Master’s Degree in Writing Studies. Students may explore this option by enrolling in graduate classes during their junior and/or senior years. The credits can then be applied to the 30-credit MA in Writing Studies.
Who can apply: Students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher are encouraged to participate in this program in order to boost their writing skills before they apply for jobs. Interested students should contact the Graduate Director of Writing Studies, Cristina Hanganu-Bresch, in order to complete an application.
How it works: Our MA program typically requires full-time study for 15 months (two summers + two semesters), but accepted undergraduate students can begin their coursework early with the goal of completing their MA in a single year after completing their BA in English.