English (B.A., B.S.)

36 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

Departmental Requirements (36 hours)

• ENGL 221 - British Literature I (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• ENGL 222 - British Literature II (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• ENGL 241 - American Literature I (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• ENGL 242 - American Literature II (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• ENGL 284 - Introduction to Criticism (C) [SGR #1, HSDC]
• ENGL 489 - Senior Capstone
• ENGL/LING Elective (at 200-, 300-, or 400-level)  6cr
• ENGL/LING Elective (at 300- or 400-level)  12cr

Specialization: Creative Writing (36 hours)

Specialization: Professional Writing (36 hours)

Specialization: Secondary Teaching (36 hours)

Students who wish to obtain certification to teach secondary school must also complete coursework and testing in the School of Education. Please contact the English Department or the School of Education for further information.

B.A./B.S. to M.S. Accelerated Options

Undergraduate English majors may elect to complete both the B.A./B.S. and M.S. concurrently. Students who pursue the accelerated option will be awarded their undergraduate degree first, but may be awarded both degrees upon completion of the graduate requirements. Students may apply for admission to the M.S. program after completing 75 undergraduate credit hours and may begin taking graduate level courses upon completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours and acceptance into the accelerated graduate program. Additional information about the accelerated degree can be found on the accelerated program catalog page  for the M.S. in English.

English Double Major (30 Hours)

See English Double Major  for program requirements.

Secondary Education-English Education specialization (B.S.Ed.)

See Secondary Education-English Education specialization (B.S.Ed.)  for program requirements.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

• English, B.A. No specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.A.-Creative Writing specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.A.-Professional Writing specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.A.-Secondary Teaching specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.S. No specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.S.-Creative Writing specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.S.-Professional Writing specialization 4-year plan guide
• English, B.S.-Secondary Teaching specialization 4-year plan guide

Related Program:

• Secondary Education, B.S.Ed.-English Education specialization 4-year plan guide

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization