English, BA

English and World Languages Department

Office of Academic Affairs » Programs » English, BA

Program Overview

English, BA

Ready to turn your love for reading and writing into a solid career? Our B.A. in English gives you the sharp writing and critical thinking skills that every employer—from publishing to law—is looking for in today’s diverse workplace.

Credits Required
At least 78 credits
GPA Required
2.0 or higher
Degree Designation
Bachelor of Arts

Major

Description

This major isn’t just about old books; it’s a deep dive into the stories, cultures, and critical theories that shape our world, with a special focus on the literature of the African Diaspora. You’ll choose a 12-credit concentration in Creative Writing, Professional Writing, or Cross-Cultural Literature, and cap it off with a mandatory Internship and a Senior Thesis to build your professional portfolio before you even graduate.

Course

Requirements

Core English Requirements (24 Credits)

  • ENGL 208: Applied Linguistics
  • ENGL 210: Intermediate Composition
  • ENGL 211: Introduction To Literary Studies
  • ENGL 365: Applied Literary Theory
  • ENGL 420: English Internship I (3 cr)
  • ENGL 422: Senior Thesis (2 cr)
  • FRENCH 201/202 OR SPANISH 201/202 (Intermediate Foreign Language I & II)
  • FS 101: Freshman Seminar I
  • FS 102: Freshman Seminar II
  • HIST 101: World Civilizations I
  • LIB 100: Lib & Resch Methods
  • PHIL 101: Introduction to Logic

Major Requirements (18 Credits)

  • British Literature I or II (ENGL 315 or 316)
  • African-American Literature I or II (ENGL 319 or 320)
  • American Literature I or II (ENGL 322 or 323)
  • Caribbean Literature I or II (ENGL 325 or 327)
  • African Literature (ENGL 326)
  • Choose one additional ENGL 300-level Elective

Electives (15+ Credits)

  • You must earn at least 12 English elective credits
  • Choose any HUM, ENGL, ART, MUS course not already taken or PHIL 201 or PSYC 101, SSC, SOC.

General Education (42 Credits minimum)

You must also complete the CUNY Common Core and College Option requirements, including courses in:

  • English Composition (ENGL 112/150)
  • Math and Quantitative Reasoning
  • Life and Physical Sciences
  • World Cultures, U.S. Diversity, Creative Expressions, Individual and Society, and Scientific World

Concentrations

You can select a 12-credit concentration from three exciting tracks: Cross-Cultural Literature, which explores diverse global and diaspora texts like African, Caribbean, and Asian American works; Creative Writing, where you’ll focus on developing manuscripts in fiction, poetry, or drama workshops; or Professional Writing, designed to prepare you for careers in journalism, technical writing, or magazine article creation.

Degree Map
To help you stay on track and graduate on time, Medgar Evers College has developed four-year degree maps for all its majors. These guides are designed to help you plan your studies efficiently and make the most of your academic journey.

View Degree Map

Admission into BA Program

Admission to the English BA program is open to all students. English majors must earn a minimum grade of C in all English courses. The AA degrees in English and African Diaspora Literature offer seamless transfer into the BA. In addition, the English Department has a formal articulation agreement with Kingsborough’s Journalism Program and the Borough of Manhattan Community College’s Writing and Literature Program.