A degree in English is one of the most versatile of degrees. A student with a Bachelor of English degree possesses the analytical and communicative skills highly desired in numerous professions, including business, law, marketing, public relations, and, of course, teaching. As you consider a major in English, the first and most important step is to meet with an advisor in English who can help you tailor your program to meet your personal and professional goals.

Our English Education students generally go on to teach English in secondary education, many of our Literary Studies and Profession/Technical Writing students go on to graduate careers in English, teaching positions, law school, and professional writing careers. For the creative writing emphasis, students often go on to graduate school for an MFA (Master of Fine Arts). English is a wonderful and marketable degree as it can be utilized in many careers in which critical thinking and writing are important.

No, you may take them in any order you like. Be aware that although most courses are offered often, some courses are only offered once per year (and a few even less than that), so be sure to see an advisor to know which ones may not come around again soon.

It is smart to meet with your advisor about once a year to be sure that you are on track for graduation.

A Bachelor of Arts degree from UT includes foreign language credits, a BS does not. If you want to pursue a graduate degree in English, a foreign language is usually a requirement, and therefore, you should get a BA.

You have to have 120 credits to get a bachelors degree, and 40 of those have to be upper division (numbered 3000 or above). Once you’ve completed residency requirements and degree requirements, you can choose any upper division courses to fill out your remaining credits. Of course, we’d love to have you fill them with English classes, but you can take classes in other areas if you prefer.

Yes, you have to be accepted into the Secondary Education Teaching program in order to earn a license to teach English. This program takes 2 semesters (listed as Professional Courses Semester I and II on the worksheet) and is completed after you finish all other major, G.E., and Education prerequisite courses. You apply in January before your final year. So, if you want to do the SET program Fall of 2013 and Spring of 2014, you would need to apply for the program in JANUARY of 2013.

In the fall: yes. Lots of folks do. In the spring: BAD idea. Student teaching is far too demanding to add additional courses to.

Go here for complete instructions on graduation.

No. You can get a Bachelors degree directly. If you officially receive it, then it can never be taken away. It’s an achievement. It also means if you took a year or two off of college (for whatever reason) and General Education requirements changed while you were gone, you would not have to take the new General Education classes. Your AA or AS degree would be enough.

No. As far as the college is concerned (and the outside world), an English degree is an English degree. You can take electives in another emphasis for experience, but you won’t be getting two degrees. If you complete the English Education emphasis you will be getting a degree in English and you’ll be a getting a teaching license.

It is recommended that you narrow in on your emphasis while taking the English core classes. These classes are requirements shared for all English majors. Once you experience both literature and writing courses, you may have a better idea of which emphasis would be the best fit for you.

You’ll be considered “highly qualified” (under the No Child Left Behind Act) to teach English/Language Arts in grades 6-12 in the state of Utah. There are also agreements with 47 other states that will allow you to teach there as well (usually after a fairly simple application process).

A teaching license is a federal requirement. There are exceptions and your advisor would be happy to discuss those with you.

Utah Tech University and the University of Bremen in Germany are happy to announce a joint partnership which will allow students from each school the opportunity to attend the other school and to become immersed in a different language and culture. Click here for more information.