Program Planning

WSU students must complete a minimum of 120 credits to meet the graduation requirement:

Students achieve the 120 credits in the following way:

 

+ Credits for Major

+ Credits for Minor (required or optional, depending on the major)

+ Credits for General Education [46 credits]

+ Credits for General Electives (additional credits selected by the student)

= 120 Total Credits

 

Additional requirements:

40 credits must be completed at the 300-400 level

12 credits of intensive courses (writing, oral, critical analysis) must be completed

Students may add or delete majors and minors or change majors and minors at any time.  In order to make changes, students need to complete the Declaration of Major form (available in the English office).  As soon as the form is filed with the Registrar’s office, the DARS is adjusted accordingly.  For this reason, it is important to file the Declaration of Major form as soon as possible.  Students follow the curriculum requirements for the major or minor that is in place at the time that the Declaration of Major form is filed.  If students want to switch to an updated curriculum, they must submit a new Declaration of Major form.  

 

Program Planning:  In order to fulfill all graduation requirements, including those for the English major/minor in an efficient and meaningful way, it is important to make semester course selections with long-range plans in mind:

Semester Plan:  In making semester course selections, students should consider the following:

• Credit Load:  A full load is 12 credits, but most students take between 14-17 credits per semester.  Keep in mind that tuition banding allows students to take 12-18 credits for the same set tuition fee.
• Type of Courses:  The semester course load should include a balance of different types of courses.
• Sequencing:  Remember that some courses have prerequisites (consult the prerequisite link on the Courses Page).  For most English courses, students need to complete ENG 290 (Literary Studies) before enrolling in 300-level courses.  Generally, 300-level courses should be taken before 400-level courses.
• Topics Courses (Variable-Credit Courses):  Use these courses to fill in gaps in your program or to develop areas of expertise or strength.
• Specialty Courses:  English majors and minors (particularly the Literature and Language majors and minors) are encouraged to enroll in the following courses:
• Undergraduate Seminars:  ENG 470/471 (Oral Intensive)/472:  In a small class environment, students have a chance to focus on a narrow topic drawn from American or British literature or a topic on language or discourse.
• Topics Courses for TESOL Students:  Watch for special sections of ENG 227 (Topics in Language) and ENG 324 (Projects in Language and Writing) that are appropriate for TESOL and Applied Linguistics students.
• Specialty Courses for Literature & Language and Writing Students:
• Contexts and Criticism:  ENG 325/326 (3 credit version)  A single literary text or a group of related texts are examined in light of the literary, historical and cultural context and through one particular or multiple critical perspectives.
• In-depth Literary Study: ENG 327 (3 credit version)  The development of a genre is examined through in-depth reading of book-length material (as opposed to excerpts).