English, B.A.

English prepares students for success through the cultivation of valuable, transferable skills in reading, writing, research, and critical engagement with diverse ideas. The department trains students to communicate persuasively, creatively, and effectively for a rapidly changing and complex world of information. Students gain expertise in producing and interpreting texts for the classroom, on social media, and in the workplace. Graduates enter careers in such fields as publishing, library science, education, business, content creation, law, journalism, and public relations.

To prepare students for success, the English Department offers two concentrations: the Literature & Culture Concentration, which examines the broad range and diverse traditions of literature written in English, including its cultural and historical contexts; and the Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology Concentration, which fosters the rhetorical ability to produce various kinds of texts through the use of a wide range of technologies. In addition, English, in collaboration with Education , offers curriculum and advising which prepares students to teach literature and informational texts at the high-school level and to earn Maryland teacher certification.

University Requirements

Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion of 45 upper-level credits, the residence requirement, the Writing Intensive requirement, and the General Education requirement

Major Requirements

Minimum 39 credits
Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major
Students may pursue secondary education certification through Education in addition to the Literature & Culture Concentration

Course Requirements

Concentration (30 credits)

Literature & Culture Concentration

The Literature & Culture Concentration consists of 30 credits.

Required Courses

Complete the following:

300-level Literature Courses: Literature & Culture before 1800

Complete 6 credits from the following:

300-level Literature Courses: Literature & Culture after 1800

Complete 6 credits from the following:

300-level Elective Course

Complete 3 credits from the following:

400-level Literature & Culture Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following:

Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology Concentration

The Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology Concentration consists of 30 credits.

Required Courses

Complete the following:

Genre Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following:

Technical/Professional Writing or Journalism

Complete 3 credits from the following:

400-level Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following:

Electives (9 credits)

Complete 9 credits of additional English electives in any concentration.

Four-Year Academic Pathways

The Four-Year Academic Pathways webpage offers helpful sample pathways for students eager to explore their academic options and stay on track for a four-year graduation. These pathways provide a starting point for students to plan how to complete their degree in four years. However, it’s important to remember that these are just samples. In consultation with their academic advisor, each student will create an individualized degree plan that reflects their unique academic background, interests, and career goals.

Students must develop their personalized degree plan by the time they’ve earned 45 credits and regularly update it with their advisor as their goals and academic journey evolve. This approach ensures that students make thoughtful, strategic choices that set them up for success throughout their time at UMBC.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. A student may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which they are majoring. More information is available from the Accelerated Program page of the Graduate School website.