The Department of English intends that its students will form strong communication skills, establish research methods, develop flexibility in facing complex situations and increase their awareness of the humanities tradition. These ideas suit both the liberal arts major and the practical, pre-professional student. Success in the marketplace is tied to the ability to analyze, understand and restate written material. Such success requires habits of investigation, a fluency with documents and speeches, and the self-assurance to handle unfamiliar materials. Thus, in its offerings, the department serves the traditions of language and literature, while it responds to the needs of today's students.

The Program

The English department offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English as well as a B.A. and a B.S. in English education.

Departmental offerings include:

B.A. and B.S. in English – These degrees require 42 credits in English courses beyond first-year composition. The B.A. degree requires two years of a foreign language or the equivalent competency; the B.S. requires a minor outside English. Students can emphasize course work in literature, writing studies, or a balance of the two, but the department does not offer degrees in literature or writing exclusively.

B.A. and B.S. in English Education – These degrees require 36 credits in English courses beyond first-year composition and 35 or 38 credits in education courses. The B.A. requires two years of a foreign language or the equivalent competency. The B.S. degree in English Education with a Communication Option leads to certification in both English and speech. English teaching majors should contact the School of Education or the English education advisor for additional requirements.
Click on the link to see more information about the English Education degrees: English Education Degree Options

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English Minors – Minor sequences are available for literature and writing studies. The two minors require a minimum of 21 credits in English beyond first-year composition.

Departmental offerings include:

Literature – This minor gives students the opportunity to read widely in literature, develop analytical skills and hone writing skills. Courses include six credits in survey courses, literary analysis and elective credits in literary studies. English majors cannot earn a minor in literature.

Writing Studies– This minor gives students the opportunity to write creatively and professionally, to read a wide variety of texts and to explore emerging communication technologies. Courses include Introduction to Writing Studies, five writing classes, and one linguistics or literature class. One of these remaining six must be at the 400 level. English majors cannot earn a minor in writing studies.

Transfer credits with grades of D are not accepted for English major requirements. All B.A. and M.A. English degrees require two years of one foreign language (or the equivalent of second- year competency).

Career Opportunities with an English Major/Minor

Traditional careers in English studies, such as teaching, fluctuate in demand from year to year, but the abilities to think critically, to synthesize information, and to write and speak with precision, clarity and effectiveness are valuable in any career. Thus, many companies look for employees with English majors or minors. Technical writer has a projected 10 year job growth of just over 17 percent. English majors can also find employment in traditional media outlets (newspaper, television, radio), but increasingly they can find employment in growth areas like the video game industry and web development.

Recent graduates have found teaching positions in the Fargo area, North Dakota and Minnesota. Former and current students are employed in writing intensive and/or training positions; some start their own businesses. English graduates sometimes seek professional degrees (law or medicine) or graduate degrees in English immediately after earning a B.A. or B.S., or they choose these options as career changes later in life.

High School Preparation

Beyond the core curriculum requirements necessary for admission to the University, students should have an English preparation that includes both frequent reading from most literary genres and extensive writing experience.

Resources

Scholarship Opportunities

The Faculty

The Department of English faculty is well-balanced and versatile. Professors have doctorates from diverse and well-respected universities, including Michigan, Minnesota, Washington State, Southern Illinois, New Mexico, Nebraska, Ball State, Bowling Green, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Texas Christian and Iowa State. Non-tenured faculty and staff have advanced degrees from universities such as Iowa, Northern Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota. Many faculty members deliver papers regularly at national and international professional meetings and publish in scholarly journals, journals of creative writing and literary reference works. Many faculty members have won awards for their teaching, service to NDSU, and their research and publications.

The English department offers a gateway course, Introduction to English Studies (Engl. 167), and two general categories of courses throughout the curriculum.

Writing Studies
Introduction to Writing Studies (Engl. 275) introduces students to creative, academic, and professional writing. Students can then choose courses in these areas that meet their interests. Upper division classes offer students the opportunity to create web sites, make videos, and explore other communication technologies. Classes include the reading of literature, scholarly and popular essays, and professional documents in print and on the web.

Literary Studies
These classes include frequent writing assignments, the opportunity to present orally, and lively discussion of literary texts, historical periods, and contemporary issues illuminated by, or represented in, the course material. Classes include Literary Analysis (Engl. 271), survey courses, period courses, multicultural courses, interdisciplinary courses, major figures courses, genre courses, film courses and topics courses.

Contact Information

Department of English
North Dakota State University
Minard Hall 318
Dept. #2320
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-7143
Fax: (701) 231-5681
Email: Michele.Sherman@ndsu.edu
Web: https://www.ndsu.edu/english/

Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/