College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BA
Specialized Admission: No
Address: 457 Williams Building, FSU Tallahassee, FL 32306
Phone: (850) 644-4230
Email: hragland@fsu.edu
*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*
The Department of English offers students a curriculum that is central to twenty-first century education. One of the largest degree programs within the College of Arts and Sciences, the major allows students to emphasize either "Literature, Media & Culture," "Creative Writing" or "Editing, Writing & Media." Students may also pursue other specialized programs such as Honors in the Major or independent courses of study. Undergraduate major coursework teaches students how to get more from what they read and achieve more with what they write. It contributes to critical thinking, to the student's knowledge of human culture, and to an understanding of poetry, fiction, drama, film, and non-fiction as cultural artifacts that are fundamental to other bodies of human knowledge such as philosophy, history, religion, psychology, classics, and modern languages. In addition to its primary benefit of intellectual and empathetic growth, the English major also offers practical preparation for professional careers in teaching, professional writing, law, medicine, business, religious affairs, all levels of government service, and all aspects of the creative economy.
Prospective transfer students should contact as-admissions@fsu.edu (Arts & Sciences Admissions) with specific questions about admission and mapping requirements.
Complete the following with a C minus grade or higher:
ENC X101 (3) Freshman Composition and
ENC 2135 (3) Freshman Writing, Reading and Research
Or six (6) semester hours of English (ENC) coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level English skills through multiple assignments.
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .
Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major:
To be admitted, students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with an adjusted GPA of 2.00 on FSU coursework, and at least half the required hours in General Education, including all freshman English and mathematics, or an AA.
Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.
Major Program of Studies at FSU: (36 hours)
Thirty-six semester hours of English in courses at the 2000 level and above. At least twenty-one semester hours must be in courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels, including at least nine semester hours at the 4000 level. Honors thesis hours may be applied toward the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, but only three semester hours will be accepted for major credit. One English course used to satisfy the humanities requirement for liberal studies may be counted as part of the major. All courses counted toward the major must carry the grade of "C minus" or better.
A minor in another department is also required; all courses counted toward the minor also must carry the grade of "C minus" or better.
Concentration in Editing, Writing, and Media:
CORE REQUIREMENTS - 12 HOURS
(Students must complete all four courses)
• ENG2012: Intro to English Studies
• ENC3021: Rhetoric
• ENC3416: Writing & Editing in Print & Online
• ENG3803: History of Text Technologies
ADVANCED REQUIREMENTS - 6 HOURS
(Students must complete at least three courses from the following list)
• ENC4212: Editing Manuscripts/Documents/Reports
• ENC4218: Visual Rhetoric in the Digital Age
• ENC4404: Advanced Writing and Editing
• ENG3804: History of Illustrated Texts
• ENG4020: Rhetorical Theory and Practice
• ENG4615: Media, Theory and Practice
• ENG4834: Issues in Publishing
INTERNSHIP - 3 HOURS
(For information on internships, see the Editing Internship page on the English Department website)
• ENC4942: Editing Internship (graded S/U)
ENGLISH ELECTIVES - 12 HOURS
(Students must complete four courses at 3000 / 4000 level)
• AML, ENL, LIT, CRW, ENG or ENC Prefix
CAPSTONE - 3 HOURS
(Students must take the course after earning at least 90 credit hours)
• ENG 4934: Senior Seminar Capstone in English
Minor Coursework: (12 hours minimum)
At least 12 hours in an approved minor. Specific requirements are determined by the minor area.
Digital Literacy: (0-3 hours)
Undergraduate majors in English satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C minus” or higher in a University approved Digital Literacy course.
Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Min. Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework 36
Minor Coursework 12 minimum
Other Coursework 0-12 (depending on foreign language placement)
Digital Literacy 0-3
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120
*Note: 3 hours of English may be used to meet both General Education and Major Coursework requirements.
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.
1. Students must complete a minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Writer, Press Relations, Teacher, Critic, Personnel Officer, Archivist, Lawyer, Editor/Editorial Assistant, Researcher, Investigator, Administrative Officer, Reporter, Technical Writer, Management Trainee, Public Relations Specialist, Speech Writer, Legislative Assistant, Trainee, Information Specialist.
Representative Employers: Local School Boards; Universities, Colleges, Junior Colleges; Businesses; Publishers of Magazines, Newspapers, Books. An English major can qualify for a variety of positions in Education, State and Federal Government, and private industry and business. English majors are attractive to employers because of their classroom training in analysis, research, and interpretation, and because they are expected to be able to communicate effectively in print and in speech.
ACADEMIC MAP (Effective Summer 2025 and after)
*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*
This map is a term-by-term sample course schedule. The milestones listed to the right of each term are designed to keep you on course to graduate in four years. The Sample Schedule serves as a general guideline to help you build a full schedule each term. The General Education and Elective courses must be selected to satisfy all area and diversity requirements unless your program meets these requirements with major courses. Milestones are courses and special requirements necessary for timely progress to complete a major. Missing milestones will result in one of two types of map registration stops. The first level (Degree Map Off-track) is placed following grade posting if the student has missed a milestone (course and/or GPA) for the first time in the major. If a student is in non-compliance with milestones for two (2) consecutive semesters (excluding summers), a Major Change Required stop is placed on the student's registration.
A student may major in English with a concentration in Literature; Creative Writing; or Editing, Writing, and Media. This MAP is not intended to substitute for guidance from a departmental advisor.
Mapping Coordinator: Shellie Camp
Email: scamp@fsu.edu
Sample Schedule and Required Milestones by Term
| Sample Schedule: Term 1 hrs |
| ENC1101 Freshman Composition3 |
| 1st GE Core Mathematics3 |
| GE Core Social Science3 |
| Digital Literacy3 |
| GE Core Humanities/Cultural Practice3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 1 |
| Complete ENC1101 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 2 hrs |
| ENC2135 Research, Genre, and Context 3 |
| 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics 3 |
| GE Natural Science3 |
| GE Social Science6 |
| Required Milestones: Term 2 |
| Complete ENC2135 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 1st GE Mathematics course ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 3 hrs |
| GE History3 |
| GE Core Natural Science with Lab4 |
| Foreign Language4 |
| Oral Communication Competency3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 3 |
| Complete 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics course ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 4 hrs |
| ENG2012 Intro. to English Studies3 |
| EWM core course3 |
| GE Humanities/Cultural Practice3 |
| Foreign Language4 |
| GE Ethics3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 4 |
| (no milestones) |
| Sample Schedule: Term 5 hrs |
| EWM core course3 |
| EWM advanced requirement3 |
| English elective 3/40003 |
| Minor3 |
| Foreign Language4 |
| Required Milestones: Term 5 |
| Complete ENG2012 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 3 additional hours of EWM core courses ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Begin minor or second major coursework. |
| Civic Literacy requirement |
| Sample Schedule: Term 6 hrs |
| EWM core course3 |
| EWM advanced requirement3 |
| English elective 3/40003 |
| Minor/Electives6 |
| Required Milestones: Term 6 |
| Complete remaining 6 hours of EWM core courses (must have all 12 hours EWM core by this term) ( ≥ C minus in each) |
| Complete 1st level of Foreign Language or show CLEP/Placement scores |
| Sample Schedule: Term 7 hrs |
| EWM advanced requirement3 |
| English elective 3/40003 |
| Minor/Elective9 |
| Required Milestones: Term 7 |
| Apply for a Pre-Graduation Check |
| Complete 3 hours of EWM Advanced Course ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 3 hours of ENC4942 Editing Internship |
| Complete 2nd level of Foreign Language or show CLEP/Placement scores |
| Sample Schedule: Term 8 hrs |
| Editing internship - ENC49423 |
| English elective 3/40003 |
| Minor/elective6 |
| ENG4934 Senior Seminar Capstone in English 3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 8 |
| Complete ENG4934 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 3rd level of Foreign Language or show CLEP/Placement scores |
| Apply for Graduation in 1st two weeks |