The number of credits required to earn an English degree can vary depending on the specific program and institution. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in English requires 120-130 total credits. The English major itself usually requires between 30-45 credits of core English courses. The remaining credits are fulfilled through general education requirements and electives.
To provide a definitive answer on how many credits are in an English degree, we must first understand the key components that comprise a typical undergraduate program. While specific requirements differ, most English majors will include a mix of literature courses, writing and composition classes, electives within the English department, and general education courses outside the major. With this framework in mind, we can break down the average credit load for an English major.
Average Components of an English Degree
Core Major Requirements
The heart of any English program are the core major requirements within the English department. This usually consists of:
– British literature survey courses – 6 credits
– American literature survey courses – 6 credits
– Shakespeare or other major author courses – 3-6 credits
– Literary theory or criticism courses – 3 credits
– Creative writing, poetry, and/or rhetoric courses – 6-9 credits
– Advanced seminars in literature or writing – 6-9 credits
When tallied together, the core major requirements are typically 30-45 credits. Some programs may fall on the lower or higher end, but this is the general range for most English bachelor’s degrees.
English Electives
In addition to core courses, most programs will require 6-12 credits of English electives. This allows students to explore topics like world literature, linguistics, or specific genres. Common English electives include:
– The English novel
– 20th century poetry
– Linguistics
– Literature of immigration
– The graphic novel
– Science fiction literature
With electives, students gain exposure to diverse topics beyond the required curriculum.
General Education Courses
General education requirements make up 40-60 credits in a typical 120 credit bachelor’s degree. English majors will take a variety of introductory courses in subjects like:
– Math
– Science
– History
– Foreign language
– Fine arts
– Philosophy
– Social sciences
While not directly related to the English degree, gen ed courses help students gain well-rounded skills and knowledge outside their major.
Free Electives
The remainder of the 120-130 credits can be fulfilled through free electives on any topic. Students often use these credits to complete a minor, study abroad, or explore miscellaneous topics of interest.
Putting It All Together
Now that we’ve examined the key components, we can look at the typical breakdown of credits for an English major:
| Degree Component | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core English courses | 30-45 credits |
| English electives | 6-12 credits |
| General education | 40-60 credits |
| Free electives | 15-30 credits |
| Total | 120-130 credits |
As shown, the English major itself will require 36-57 credits. The vast majority of credits are taken outside the English department to fulfill gen ed and electives.
To summarize, most English majors will require:
– 30-45 credits of core English courses
– 6-12 credits of English electives
– 40-60 credits of general education requirements
– 15-30 credits of free electives
When added together, this leads to the typical total of 120-130 credits.
Variations Between Programs
While the above provides a general overview, the specific English curricula varies between schools. For example:
– Larger research universities may require more total credits, like 128-132.
– Small liberal arts colleges may have fewer overall requirements.
– More writing-focused programs require additional composition courses.
– Literature-heavy curricula have fewer writing classes.
– Schools dictate different general education requirements.
– The line between required vs. elective English courses differs.
When researching programs, always check the official degree plan. For one university an English course may be required, while at another it’s considered an elective. This can alter the exact number of required English credits.
English Degree Credit Range
Given the information above, we can determine the typical range for an English major is:
– Total credits: 120-130
– Core English credits: 30-45
– Total English credits (including electives): 36-57
So in summary, most English bachelor’s degrees will fall in the range of 36-57 credits within the English department itself. The remaining credits are earned through gen ed courses and electives to reach the total required by the institution, usually 120-130.
While the English curricula varies between programs, this provides a general overview of what to expect. Always check the official degree plan to see the precise number of required English credits.
How Many Courses Equal Certain Credit Amounts?
When looking at English credit requirements, here is how many actual courses are typically equated to certain credit totals:
– 3 credits = 1 course
– 6 credits = 2 courses
– 9 credits = 3 courses
– 12 credits = 4 courses
– 15 credits = 5 courses
– 18 credits = 6 courses
So for example, if a program requires 36 English credits, that would equal about 12 English courses (assuming standard 3 credit courses).
This gives a rough estimate of how credit totals translate into actual courses. Individual class credit hours may vary. But in general, think 3 credits = 1 course.
Factors That Increase English Credit Requirements
Certain academic paths will automatically boost the number of required English credits:
Double Majoring in English
When double majoring, students have to fulfill the degree requirements for both majors. If pursuing another major on top of English, expect to take approximately 24-36 English credits to complete both.
English Minor
Adding a minor in English typically requires around 18 additional English credits beyond one’s major.
High School English Teaching
Those who want to teach high school English must take extra teaching-focused courses. This can add 6-15 credits in areas like adolescent literature, literacy, and pedagogy.
Graduate School Preparation
Students hoping to attend graduate school in English should complete additional credits to stand out. Extra literature, writing, and independent study courses can help prepare for further study in English.
Concentrations Within the English Major
Many English programs allow students to declare a concentration or track within the major. Common concentrations include:
– Literature
– Creative Writing
– Rhetoric & Composition
– Secondary Education
– Professional Writing
These concentrations feature 15-20 credits tailored to the specific field, on top of the core major requirements. For example, the creative writing track may require certain poetry and fiction workshops. Or the literature concentration may mandate extra genre-specific electives.
When following a concentration, expect the total English credits to be on the higher end, usually 45-60 credits.
Honours English Programs
Some institutions offer honours programs in English for advanced students. These programs have extra requirements such as:
– A senior research thesis
– A higher GPA requirement
– Additional elective credits
– Smaller, seminar-style classes
Honours English programs typically consist of 45-60 total English credits. The thesis project alone accounts for 3-6 credits.
Conclusion
While degree requirements vary, most standard English majors require around 36-45 credits within the English department. Once you factor in electives, concentrations, and honours programs, the credit range extends up to 60 credits or more. When combined with gen ed requirements, this leads to the typical 120-130 credit total for a bachelor’s degree.
In closing, concentrate on the specific curriculum and graduation requirements for your program. This will dictate your exact number of mandatory English credits. With careful planning each semester, you can efficiently fulfill your degree plan.
