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Bachelor's Degree in English

BA On-Campus Main Campus
DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Hone your skills of self-expression and reasoning. This is where fearless begins.

Study English at SEMO and turn your curiosity into a career built on communication, creativity, and critical thinking. Whether you see yourself writing, editing, teaching, publishing, creating content, or preparing for graduate or law school, you'll develop the skills employers value most—clear communication, thoughtful analysis, and adaptability.

Learn by Leading with a bachelor's degree in english

Great writers become great communicators through practice. As an English major at SEMO, you'll work closely with faculty while building a portfolio of experiences that prepares you for graduate school or a wide range of careers.

  • Build strong writing, editing, research, and critical thinking skills.
  • Explore literature from diverse cultures and time periods while strengthening your understanding of language and storytelling.
  • Gain experience in professional writing, publishing, copywriting, editing, and digital media.
  • Develop communication skills that employers consistently rank among their most valuable hiring priorities.
  • Work with award-winning faculty in small class settings.

What jobs can you get with a BA in English Degree?

An English degree prepares you to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to changing industries. Graduates use these skills in business, media, education, government, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and graduate programs across the country.

Career opportunities include: 

 

  • Content Strategist
  • Digital Content Writer
  • Communications Specialist
  • Grant Writer
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • UX Writer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Research Analyst

 

Internship, Employment, and Graduate Program Opportunities of Recent English BA Graduates

  • Public and private schools
  • Libraries
  • Ph.D. programs
  • Law schools and other professional programs
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Healthcare industry
  • Publishing and editing
  • Local, state, and federal governments
  • Parks and recreation
  • Financial industries
  • Technical and professional writing
  • Human resources
  • Marketing/Advertising

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English (BA) Degree Map

Equipped to Lead. Inspired to Go Further.

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Outcomes & Jobs for a BA in English

  • $92k 

    Technical Writer 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a technical writer is $92,330.

  • $69k 

    Librarian 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for librarians and Library Media Specialists is $69,180.

  • $79k

    Human Resources Specialist 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a human resources specialist is $79,730.

The Knowledge to Fuel Fearless Futures

As an English major, focus on literary study which teaches ethical complexity, interpretative multiplicity, and the importance of empathy in human relations. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

42 Hour Major – No minor required

Required course:
  • EN201 Writing About Literature (3)
  • Early Literature - choose 3 hours:
  • LI211 World Literature I (3)
  • LI260 English Lit I (3)
  • LI270 American Lit I (3)

Surveys of Literature - choose 6 hours:

  • LI211 World Literature I (3)*
  • LI212 World Literature II (3)
  • LI260 English Literature I (3)*
  • LI261 English Literature II (3)
  • LI270 American Literature I (3)*
  • LI271 American Literature II (3)
*If not chosen above
Special Topics in Literature - choose 12 hours:
  • LI305 Film Studies (3)
  • LI307 Studies in TV/Pop Culture (3)
  • LI309 Studies in World Literature (3)
  • LI341 Victorian Studies (3)
  • LI425 Focus on the Author (3)
  • LI431 Faulkner Seminar (3)
  • LI432 Shakespeare’s Comedies and Histories (3)
OR
  • LI433 Shakespeare’s Tragedies (3)
  • LI473 Studies in Renaissance British Literature (3)
  • LI476 Early 20th Century British Literature (3)
  • LI523 Studies in American Literature (3)
  • LI565 Southern Literature (3)
  • LI542 Literature for the Young Adult (3)
  • LI568 Masculinities in the 19th Century American Novel (3)
  • LI570 20th Century American Literature (3)
  • LI571 Contemporary American Poetry (3)
  • LI576 American Fiction of the 21st Century (3)
  • LI577 Early English Literature (3)
  • LI578 Studies in Late British and Postcolonial Literature (3)
  • LI582 Topics in Literature (3)

Broadened Perspectives – choose 9 hours:

  • LI317 Multicultural Visions on Film (3)
  • LI332 Images of Women in Literature (3)
  • LI412 Native American Literature (3)
  • LI417 Writing Race and Gender in the South (3)
  • LI424 Asian-American Literature (3)
  • LI426 Gender and Sexuality in Literary Studies (3)
  • LI434 African-American Literature I (3)
  • LI435 African-American Literature II (3)
  • LI458 Literary Criticism (3)
  • LI470 Immigration in Literature and Film (3)
  • LI472 Border Literature of the Americas (3)

Pedagogy and Linguistics – choose 3 hours:

  • EN378 Grammars of English (3)
  • EN379 Composition in Secondary Schools (3)
  • LI385 Teaching Literature and Nonfiction in Secondary Schools (3)
  • EN448 Principles of Language (3)
  • EN457 Composition Theory and Pedagogy (3)
  • EN486 Sociolinguistics (3)
  • EN500 History of the English Language (3)
  • TLxxx TESOL course (3)

Writing and Publishing – choose 3 hours:

  • EN302 Small Press Publishing (3)
  • EN303 Content Copywriting (3)
  • EN305 Writing for the Professions (3)
  • EN307 Writing for New Media (3)
  • EN309 Writing for Science/Technology (3)
  • EN311 Literary/Manuscript Editing (3)
  • EN325 Topics in Writing (3)
  • EN376 Advanced Composition (3)
  • EN423 Visual Rhetoric (3)
  • EN470 Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry
  • EN478 Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction
  • EN550 Style in Writing (3)
  • EN572 Creative Nonfiction (3)

Electives – choose 3 hours

  • ENxxx/LIxxx/TLxxx 300-599 level (3)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year    

Fall Semester (13 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • EN140 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Second Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • EN201 (3)
  • Early Literature (3)
  • Special Topics (3) 
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • Special Topics (3) 
  • Survey of Literature (3) 
  • Survey of Literature (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Third Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)    
  • Broaded Perspectives (3) 
  • Pedagogy and Linguistics (3)
  • Special Topics (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • Broadened Perspectives (3) 
  • Special Topics (3)
  • Writing and Publishing (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Fourth Year    

Fall Semester (17 Hours)     
  • Broadened Perspectives (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)  
  • Elective - EN/LI/TL 3xx-5xx (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Degree requirements for all students: a minimum of 120 credit hours, completion of the General Education program, and completion of 39 senior division hours (300-599). Refer to the Undergraduate bulletin or Degree Works for additional graduation requirements for your program. 

A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major and overall are required to graduate with a BA degree. 

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Program Details Degree Map

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

With a multimedia journalism degree, you’ll be prepared for a career in media. And, working with our student paper, The Arrow, you might just win a few awards while you do. 

Program Details Degree Map

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

COLLEGE

Arts & Media

English & Communication

Contact Us

Location

Office Location

Academic Hall 231

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS3225
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701