English Programs

Winona State’s English Department offers a variety of undergraduate programs plus a graduate certificate in Professional Writing.

Undergraduate Programs

Minors

Whether you major in English or something else, our minors complement any degree. An English minor ensures your studies are well-rounded, and gives you in-demand professional skills such as written and verbal communication. 

Applied & Professional Writing

Writing is a sought-after skill in many professions. The Applied & Professional Writing minor will prepare you to write in industries including business, marketing, research, finance, and more.

This minor consists of 21 credits to help sharpen your writing skills.

Communication Arts & Literature (Teaching Grades 5-8)

The Middle Level Communication Arts and Literature (Teaching) (MLCA) minor is offered through the College of Education and consists of 29 credits.

This minor is the best fit for students working toward a teaching license, especially if you’re completing a degree in Elementary Education (K–6).

The MLCA minor ultimately prepares you to teach communication arts and literature for students in grades 5–8.

Creative Writing

The Creative Writing minor consists of 21 credits.

Through this program, you will learn how to write in multiple genres and styles while studying a wide range of literary works.

Film Studies

The Film studies minor consists of 21 credits and and offers students a foundation in film genres, history, and theory, as well as film production and narrative storytelling.

Literature & Language

The Literature and Language minor is 21 credits.

You’ll study the evolution of the English language and explore how literature communicates human experience and thought across time and place.

Teaching English as a Second Language

The Teaching English as a Second Language minor is ideal for those who want to work with English language learners in school settings.

You will study the theory and practice of language acquisition.

The program consists of 24 credits.

Professional Writing Graduate Certificate

In the online Professional Writing graduate certificate program, you’ll learn about:

  • theories and approaches to workplace writing
  • critical evaluation and expression of ideas
  • ethics of professional communication

You’ll also strengthen your writing, editing, research, and organizational skills for many different workplace settings.

This program is best suited for students and working professionals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to become writing and editing specialists or who already work in writing and communications careers. 

The Professional Writing graduate certificate is 12 credits and can be completed in as little as two semesters.

Graduate Studies Admissions

Before you can be considered for admission into the Professional Writing Graduate Certificate program, you must first apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies at WSU. 

You must have an overall undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0, and a minimum GPA of 3.25 in undergraduate English courses to enter the Professional Writing Graduate Certificate program.

Once you are accepted into Graduate Studies, you must submit the following materials to the English Department Chairperson, Dr. Ann-Marie Dunbar at adunbar@winona.edu:

  • statement of purpose (500 words)
  • writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • 3 letters of recommendation
Contact the English Department 
Department of English
Minné 304

Office Hours

Monday–Friday: 8:30am-4pm

Summer hours may vary

Ann-Marie Dunbar
Department Chair, Professor

507.457.2431

Email Ann-Marie Dunbar
Alisha Syrmopoulos
Office Manager

507.457.5440

Email Alisha Syrmopoulos