English

About this Major

The English degree involves the completion of three specific components—the General Education Core required of all VCSU graduates, a mix of required and elective courses in the major that prepares students in one of four specific cognates (Professional Writing, Literature Studies, Technical Writing, or General English), and a minor of the student’s choosing.

Students work closely with advisors to determine which cognate would best fit future plans, which electives might suit them best term by term, and which minor to pursue. In short, the English program is designed to specifically help students find the right mix of courses for both their present desires and future needs, all with the help of advisors who thoroughly know the program.

Career Opportunities

Last year, 87% of available jobs in the field of English required no more than a Bachelor’s degree. The average median salary with an English degree is $48,000.

Since English majors are sought after more for their ability to write well and to read and think critically and more broadly than majors with more narrowly defined skill sets, the English degree can be used for a variety of occupations involving writing, editing, and/or critical thinking, including journalism, publishing, legal work, advertising, marketing, management, technical writing, or any occupation involved with producing written work. English is also an excellent preparatory degree for graduate studies in law, literature or composition studies, physical therapy, and even medical school.

Specific career opportunities with an English degree can include:

Author
Editor
Publisher
Reporter
Journalist
Technical Writer or Editor
Copywriter
Proofreader
Professor
Lawyer
Social Media curator

Meet an English Student

“The English program at VCSU allowed me to apply my skills beyond the classroom. The diverse coursework from my English major and marketing minor, combined with hands-on internships, gave me real-world experience that prepared me for my professional career. I couldn’t have chosen a better place to start than VCSU” Beth Mehus, Finley, ND - 2025 English major

Picture of Grace Mueller, English student.

VCSU’s English program is unique in how it empowers versatility and offers numerous leadership opportunities. My past and current campus involvement includes Resident Hall Assistant, Student Senate Representative for the academic departments of Communication Arts, Language and Literature, and Social Sciences, President of English Club, President of Spanish Club, and a peer writing tutor in the Learning Commons. My English major and music minor have also equipped me for my internship at Valley City’s local City-County Health District.” Grace Mueller, Wimbledon, ND - 2025 English Major

Get Involved in your Major

An English class meets on the lawn of Valley City State University.

English Club — A lively group of majors, minors, and aficionados, English Club brings literary experiences to campus and/or hits the road to find them.

Sigma Tau Delta — Our local chapter of the International Honor Society for English majors and minors provides another avenue for seeking scholarships, a venue for publishing scholarship, and a vehicle for recognizing academic achievement.

The Forge — an NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) REALM First Class award-winning campus literary, academic, and arts journal, hosted by the Language and Literature Department and staffed by student editors in ENGL 213: Literary Publications, publishes and offers awards for original student work on an annual basis.

Group picture of those that helped with the Forge. The forge received an award.

National Day on Writing — Each fall, the Language and Literature department celebrates the National Day on Writing. Sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), this campus-wide event allows faculty, staff, and students to share meaningful insights on how and why writing is a vital part of human expression.

Picture of Dr. Emily Wicktor and Spanish Instructor Luis Betancur during the National Day on Writing event.

Contact Information

Department Chair and Faculty Contact

J. Gregory Brister, PhD, greg.brister@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7317

Department Location

McFarland Hall 315

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ¹
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ¹
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Digital Literacy
Select one of the following:
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ¹
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ¹
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
ANTH 111	Introduction to Anthropology
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
ART 182	Art With a Smartphone
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: CIS 170 and CSCI 289 may be used to satisfy both the Computer Science and Literacy and the Digital Literacy requirement for Gen Ed.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ENGL 310	Writing in the Major	3
ENGL 371	Critical Theory	3
ENGL 480	Shakespeare	3
ENGL 491	Senior Capstone	2
Directed Electives
Literature Electives
Select nine hours from the following:		9
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
ENGL 351	British Literature I
ENGL 352	British Literature II
Writing Electives
Select seven hours from the following:		7
COMM 200	Introduction to Media Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing ¹
ENGL 213	Literary Publications
ENGL 305	Writing Workshop
ENGL 309	Linguistics and Language Acquisition
ENGL 330	Creative Writing
ENGL 497	Internship
Total Credits		27

¹: If ENGL 210 is taken as a General Education Studies course, it will not fulfill one of the writing course menu options.

Students Choose One of the Following Cognates:

Professional Writing Cognate

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select twelve hours from the following:		12
COMM 314	Public Relations
COMM 315	Digital Communication
COMM 344	Reporting and Feature Writing
ENGL 300	Grammatical Analysis
ENGL 330	Creative Writing
ENGL 410	Technical and Scientific Writing
ENGL 420	Writing for the Web
Total Credits		12

Literature Studies Cognate

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select twelve hours from the following:		12
ENGL 351	British Literature I
ENGL 352	British Literature II
ENGL 430	Studies in Poetry
ENGL 440	Studies in World Literature
ENGL 450	Studies in British Literature
ENGL 460	Studies in American Literature
Total Credits		12

General English Cognate

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select twelve hours from the following:		12
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 314	Public Relations
EDUC 390	Methods of Teaching EL
ENGL 300	Grammatical Analysis
ENGL 305	Writing Workshop
ENGL 409	Language and Culture
ENGL 440	Studies in World Literature
ENGL 450	Studies in British Literature
ENGL 460	Studies in American Literature
Total Credits		12

Technical Writing Cognate

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
CIS 329	Information Systems Management	3
ENGL 410	Technical and Scientific Writing	3
ENGL 420	Writing for the Web	3
SE 381	Project Management	3
Total Credits		12

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 27 Hrs
Total Cognate Requirement 12 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

Note: This major requires a minor

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 (Gen Ed)	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
MATH 104 (Gen Ed)	3	Literacies (Gen Ed)	3
Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3	Social Science (Gen Ed)	3
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)	3	Wellness (Gen Ed)	2
	16		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3	Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	2
Literature Elective	3	BA or BS Block Elective	3
Minor Elective	3	Concentration Elective	3
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 310	3
Writing Elective	3	Literature Elective	3
	15		14
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
BA or BS Block Elective	3	BA or BS Block Elective	3
Concentration Elective	3	BA or BS Block Elective	3
Minor Elective	3	Concentration Elective	3
Witing Elective	3	Minor Elective	3
ENGL 371	3	Literature Elective	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
BA or BS Block Elective	3	BA or BS Block Elective	3
Concentration Elective	3	Concentration Elective	3
Minor Elective	3	ENGL 213	1
Minor Elective	3	ENGL 491	2
Minor Elective	3	ENGL 480	3
		Minor Elective	3
	15		15
Total Credits 120

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

Our graduates will:

Possess strong academic and creative writing skills;
Exhibit vital critical reading and thinking skills;
Routinely apply competent research skills; and
Understand the value of cultural fluency.