Degrees & Programs
The Department of English offers undergraduate majors, minors and graduate programs with a focus on writing skills, liberal learning and critical and analytic thinking.
English students know the delight of reading the best of British and American literature-authors as diverse as Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe and Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin and John Donne.
Department programs include:
The flexibility of all our programs allows students to choose from a wide selection of courses within the department and there are even possibilities for coordinating a program with another academic department.
Undergraduate Programs
The undergraduate catalog has the most up-to-date requirements for the English major.
Be sure to look at the four-year plans for the literature and the writing tracks to see just how many electives you can take alongside a major in English.
Our degree options leave so much room for exploration, minors and even additional majors.
English Major
Towson University’s Department of English offers an undergraduate English major with concentrations available in writing, literature and secondary education. Students can also pursue an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program, integrating undergraduate studies with a Master’s in Professional Writing.
English Minor
TU’s English minor enhances students’ appreciation of literature and hones analytical and persuasive communication skills.
This flexible curriculum allows students to select from a wide range of departmental courses, complementing technical majors and aligning with employer-desired communication competencies.
Creative Writing Minor
The Creative Writing minor is a 24-unit program designed to enhance students' writing skills across poetry, fiction and non-fiction. It includes courses like Introduction to Creative Writing, Writing Poetry, Writing Fiction and Writing Creative Non-Fiction, complemented by literature courses.
Graduate Programs
Professional Writing (M.S.)
TU’s Master of Science in Professional Writing offers advanced study in writing theory, writing techniques, and editing, preparing students for careers in various sectors.
The program features five tracks:
- creative writing
- journalistic writing
- technical writing and scientific communication
- teaching writing
- writing for the nonprofit sector
Students who would rather design their own route through the program may choose “no track.”
Flexible evening classes accommodate working professionals. An accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway is also available.
Accelerated Programs
Our accelerated English B.S./Professional Writing M.S. program allows you to take up to three (3) graduate courses that count towards your undergraduate degree in English and graduate degree in Professional Writing.
Admission to the Accelerated English B.S./Professional Writing M.S. program is limited and competitive. Students must be both pursuing the writing track in English and maintaining a 3.30 GPA.