English Major

The English major gives you the chance to read literature in English from a range of national traditions, write in forms ranging from creative to technical, and engage with the world via service learning and internships.  

New English Major Curriculum for 2026-2027

  • For students entering the major in Fall 2026 and later, our new English major emphasizes the interdependence of reading and writing through a more balanced lower-level program, while supporting students’ diverse interests through a more flexible upper-level program that emphasizes broad categories of electives. Moving forward, this structure will make it easier for us to offer innovative courses that meet your needs and interests. 
    • New lower-level courses to explore:
      • ENGL 201: Style and Voice
      • ENGL 210: Intro to Professional Writing and Rhetoric
      • ENGL 220: Major Works in British Literature
      • ENGL 230: Major Works in American Literature
    • New upper-level capstone: a 1-unit course--ENGL 496: After the English Major
  • Existing majors: you will still follow the catalog requirements for the year you entered Towson University. Consult your Academic Requirements Report and the archives of previous Undergraduate Catalogs. If you would like to consider moving to the new curriculum, email the Chairperson, Erin Fehskens (). 
  • See the Undergraduate Catalog for English Major Requirements and the suggested four-year plan. 

Secondary Education Concentration

If you are considering teaching English at the middle school or high school level, consider the secondary education concentration. The Secondary Education Concentration has been updated for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

  • The SCED Concentration offers teaching accreditation as part of your bachelor’s degree, as an alternative to taking a separate certificate or master’s program.  
  • The ENGL portion of the program is 37 units: 12 classes in literature, writing, and language, plus the 1-unit capstone.  
  • The SCED portion of the program includes courses in pedagogical competencies, teaching methods, and mentored experience teaching in middle and high schools. 
  • Please note that you must apply and be admitted to the SCED portion of the program that develops over the final two years of your degree. See the Department of Middle School and Secondary Education for more information. 

Additional Options for English Majors

  • The department participates in the Honors Program in coordination with the Honors College.  
  • The department offers honors sections of introductory courses for students admitted to the Honors College, and our faculty may teach Honors Seminars.
  • For English majors who would like to work on a substantial research/writing project of their own design, the department offers the Honors Thesis, consisting of two 3-unit independent studies in consecutive semesters of the junior or senior years.  
  • The thesis program encourages the development of independent learning skills and offers you the opportunity to connect with faculty mentors.  
  • For more information, contact the Honors Thesis Coordinator, Jacob Hovind ()
  • The Department of English offers an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program. Accelerated programs allow you to begin your graduate education as an undergraduate, offering you the opportunity to save time and money while you advance your academic career.  
  • The combined B.S.in English/M.S. in Professional Writing enables students in the writing track to substitute nine credits in the Master’s in Professional Writing program for undergraduate workshop classes in the English major. 
  • Contact the PRWR Program Director, Sarah Gunning () for more information. 
Sierra Billingslea
About Our Students
Meet English major Sierra Billingslea. More Information