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English

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Effective communication and analytical skills are a necessity in almost every career pursuit and are perhaps the most important skills in today's information-driven society.

The Bachelor of Arts in English encourages the development and mastery of writing strategies, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and prepares graduates to apply this learning in real-life situations. In your literature and writing classes, you will gain an appreciation of literature and its cultural and historical importance, and you will learn to formulate your own ideas in ways that inform, enlighten, and persuade.

A degree in English brings with it valuable skills that are applicable to almost any career sector. While some graduates have chosen to continue their education in law school or other graduate degree programs, many have begun careers in a variety of roles such as:

  • Editor
  • Educator
  • Social Media or Content Manager
  • Copywriter
  • Technical Writer
  • Creative Writer
  • Grant Writer and/or Fundraiser
  • Reporter
  • Publisher
  • Librarian
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Non-profit Worker
  • Researcher

According to the  the annual median wage for English degree holders in 2023 was $56,000.

Format

On Campus

Credit Hours

120

Degree Plan

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Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

  • produce research and/or creative projects in literary analysis, rhetorical analysis, cultural studies, pedagogy, and/or digital humanities and/or texts.
  • apply knowledge about literature, rhetoric, critical approaches, cultural studies, publication, and rhetorical and/or literary theory.
  • analyze cultural texts via close reading.
  • examine how the production and reception of language and text are influenced by differences of form, culture, and identity.

Related Degrees

Bachelor of Science - English with Teacher Licensure (7-12)
This program is designed to provide highly qualified English teachers at the secondary school level. In addition to encouraging the development and mastery of writing strategies, critical-thinking skills, and overall knowledge, you will also have significant coursework in professional education. You must be admitted into the Educator Preparation Program through the School of Education, which is committed to excellence in teacher preparation through both classroom instruction and field experiences.

There is a separate application process for English with teacher licensure 7-12, and requirements for admission may change over time. Students must meet admission requirements current at the time of their final application for admission to the teacher education program. Click here for School of Education application information.

A Master of Education demonstrates your commitment to education with a higher level of expertise, enabling upward mobility in the profession and improved earning potential. The M.Ed. program is intended for current classroom teachers already in the workforce who desire professional advancement as well as recent teacher licensure graduates who want to advance their knowledge and further academic preparation prior to entering the workforce. The English (MELA) emphasis area is designed for 4-8 or 7-12 teachers certified to teach English who are seeking to increase their knowledge in English content and pedagogy. Candidates following this pathway will take 12 hours of core coursework and 18 hours of English content courses.  Click here for Master of Education program and application information.

Minors

This 18-hour program gives students a rigorous background in the fundamentals of creative writing and editing. It provides students with the opportunity to work with accomplished faculty as they hone their craft and gain professional publishing experience with Applause, our campus literary magazine.
 

This 18-hour program provides students with the skills to communicate clearly and effectively, critically read and examine complex texts, conduct and write original research, and recognize other perspectives. The minor enhances the student’s academic experience while complementing work towards law school, medical school, marketing or adverting, education, or publishing fields. 

This 18-hour program complements any major by broadening the student's academic experience and enhancing their communication skills.

This 18-hour minor will strengthen your skills in professional writing, content creation, and editing, which will support your progress in any major or career field. The minor offer students advanced instruction in persuasion, writing, and editing for all professional situations. Students learn how to write, design, and edit in a variety of professional genres. The minor enhances the student’s academic experience while complementing work in publishing, advertising, marketing, business, education, and grant and non-profit work.

This 18-hour minor will strengthen your skills in logic and oral communication, which will support your progress in any major or career field.

This 18-credit hour minor is designed for those who wish to teach English as a Second Language domestically and abroad. Courses include Second Language Acquisition, Teaching Methods, and Assessment.  Students obtaining the minor in TESL will also receive the Teaching English as a Second Language (15-hours) Certificate of Proficiency. 

Certificates of Proficiency

Content creation encompasses various activities including maintaining and updating websites, blogging, article writing, photography, videography, online commentary, social media accounts, and editing and distributing digital media.
 
This professional certificate course explores the full breadth of the grant-writing process and the role of grantsmanship in non-profit organizations.
 
Pre-law college majors are designed to prepare aspiring lawyers for law school, and these majors often include an eclectic combination of humanities and social science classes ranging from philosophy to political science.
 
User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. UX design involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability, and function. 
 

This 9-credit hour program provides curriculum designed for those in helping professions such as human services, health care organizations, educators, and others. Courses include Intermediate Spanish I, II, and Spanish for the Professions. Beginning Spanish I and II or required placement scores are prerequisites for Intermediate Spanish I.

Scholarship Opportunities

Gordon Kelley Language Study Scholarship Endowment
Award: Up to $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,500 per semester)

This scholarship opportunity is offered through the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Foundation to students who:

  • are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours at AV¶¶Òõ
  • have completed at least 60 credit hours (junior or senior standing)
  • have a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • are majoring in English, English with teacher licensure, or Spanish
  • application deadline: March 15th

The Gordon Kelley Language Study Endowment application is available through Lion's SHARE, Contact your academic advisor or Dr. Carol Westcamp-Sessums for additional information.

CAEP Accreditation

CAEP Accreditation LogoThe English program has received national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

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