English, AA
English and World Languages Department
Program Overview
English, AA
The Associate in Arts (A.A.) in English is a fantastic two-year degree designed to give you a strong foundation in reading, critical thinking, and advanced writing. This 60-credit program is perfect if you love English and want a degree that prepares you directly for a four-year B.A. program (a “transfer degree”) or gives you highly valued communication skills for the job market right away.
Major
Description
Have you ever thought about how powerful words are? If you love to read, tell stories, analyze what you read in school, or just feel like you have a lot to say, then an Associate in English (AA) degree might be the perfect place for you to start your college journey!
This two-year program is your direct pathway to earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, saving you time and helping you smoothly transition to a four-year degree. Think of it as a launching pad!
In this program, you’ll take classes that help you master your communication skills—both in reading and writing. You’ll take essential courses like:
- ENGL 210 – Intermediate Composition: This course is all about taking your writing skills to the next level. You’ll learn to craft clear, persuasive, and well-researched papers.
- ENGL 211 – Introduction to Literary Studies: Get ready to dive deep into different types of literature! You’ll learn how to analyze poems, novels, and plays, and understand their impact.
Plus, you get to choose six credits (about two classes) in exciting focus areas, like Cross-Cultural Literature and Creative Writing, that align with the full Bachelor’s degree.
You’ll also take your required general education courses (like math, science, and history) and have some space for six open elective credits—classes you can choose just because they interest you! This degree is the perfect foundation for becoming a brilliant writer, thinker, and communicator.
Program and Major
Requirements
General Education Requirements (CUNY Common Core & College Option)
These requirements align with the CUNY Common Core and College Option structure:
- Required Core (12 Credits):
- English Composition: ENGL 112 and ENGL 150.
- Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning: 1 course (e.g., MTH 115).
- Life and Physical Sciences: 1 course (e.g., BIO 101 or PHS 101).
- Flexible Core (18 Credits – 6 Courses): Complete one course in each of the five areas, plus an additional Flexible Core course in any area. No more than two courses from any one discipline are permitted.
- World Cultures and Global Issues
- U.S. Experience in its Diversity
- Creative Expressions
- Individual and Society (e.g., ECON 212 or ECON 213)
- Scientific World (e.g., CIS 101).
Major Requirements
To earn your A.A. in English, you need to complete the following courses.
Required Core Courses
You must complete ALL of the following core courses to build your foundation in criminal justice and public administration
- ENGL 210: Intermediate Composition
- ENGL 211: Introduction to Literary Studies
Electives
- Earn at least 6 English elective credits
Degree Map
A Degree Map is your step-by-step guide through your college program. Think of it like a personalized GPS for your degree! It lays out exactly which classes you should take each semester to make sure you graduate on time, usually in two years for an Associate degree.
This map shows the best sequence of courses, making sure you take any prerequisite courses (the classes you need to pass before you can take a more advanced one) in the right order. While this is a suggested plan, you should always check in with your academic advisor—they are like your co-pilot—to make sure you are on track for your personal goals and graduation!