English Program Information

Overview

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) offers an enriching English program that nurtures communication skills, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. Students delve into the tradition of English literature, spanning from Chaucer to contemporary fiction.

Degree Options

UFV provides four options for majoring in English within its Bachelor of Arts program:

• Traditional English major in English Literature
• English major with a concentration in Creative Writing
• English major with a concentration in Drama
• English major with a concentration in Writing and Rhetoric

Additionally, UFV offers:

• Honours programs in both English and Creative Writing
• Minor and extended minor options in English and Creative Writing

Course Selection

Students can choose from a diverse array of courses, including but not limited to:

• English, Canadian, American, and world literature
• Cultural studies
• Genre theory
• Composition and rhetoric
• Creative writing
• Linguistics
• Literary theory

Practical Experience

To enhance writing and editing skills, students have opportunities to engage with various platforms:

• Join the editorial board of Louden Singletree, UFV's student-run literary and visual arts magazine
• Contribute to the Cascade, UFV's student newspaper
• Serve as a peer tutor, research writer, or social media consultant for the Academic Success Centre
• Participate in optional paid work placements through UFV's Co-operative Education program to obtain valuable work experience and references

Career Preparation

Graduates emerge as proficient communicators, poised to pursue leadership roles within diverse fields. The English program serves as an excellent foundation for:

• Graduate studies
• UFV's Teacher Education Program
• Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certificate

Career Outlook

The skills cultivated in the English program are highly sought after in the job market. According to job-data insights:

• Writing and communication skills are among the top competencies valued by employers in Canada.
• Numerous careers for English graduates exist, with many offering salaries exceeding $60,000, including sectors such as:
  • Editing and writing
  • Public relations
  • Content strategy and technical writing in technology firms

Communicative and critical thinking abilities are essential across all occupational fields. Graduates of UFV's English program have successfully entered professions in:

• Education
• Publishing
• Broadcasting
• Law
• Politics
• Public service
• Business
• The arts, both in Canada and internationally.

Degree Overview:

Objectives:

• The English program at UFV aims to equip students with strong communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness skills.
• Offered in four major options and two honours programs.

Description:

• Program Options:
• English major in English Literature (traditional)
• English major with concentration in Creative Writing
• English major with concentration in Drama
• English major with concentration in Writing and Rhetoric
• Honours Programs: English and Creative Writing
• Course Selection: Offers courses in English, Canadian, American, and world literature, along with advanced courses in areas like cultural studies, genre theory, composition, rhetoric, creative writing, linguistics, and literary theory.

Outline:

Program Content:

• Covers various areas like communication skills, critical thinking, cultural awareness, literary analysis, writing skills, and rhetoric.

Structure:

• Offers courses from various periods of English Literature and beyond.
• Courses delve into areas like cultural studies, genre theory, and writing techniques.

Criteria:

• Assessment criteria may vary depending on the specific courses within the program.

Unique Approaches:

• While specific unique approaches aren't described, the program likely uses various teaching techniques to engage students in their learning.
These could include class discussions, collaborative projects, presentations, writing workshops, critical analysis exercises, guest speaker presentations, and field trips (if applicable).

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Traditional Fields: Editing, writing, public relations
• Technology Sectors: Content strategy, web production, technical writing
• Education: Teaching at various levels
• Publishing: Book publishing, content writing, journalism
• Broadcasting: Scriptwriting, radio production, media production
• Law: Legal writing, research, communication
• Politics: Speechwriting, policy analysis, public relations
• Public Service: Communication, community outreach, policy writing
• Business: Public relations, communication, marketing
• Arts: Creative writing, arts administration, criticism

Other:

• The program emphasizes written and oral communication skill development.
• It encourages student involvement in various activities:
• Louden Singletree (literary/visual arts magazine)
• The Cascade (student newspaper)
• Research writing opportunities
• Social media marketing for the Academic Success Centre
• Prepares graduates for leadership roles across diverse industries.
• Students are well-prepared for graduate studies in related fields and education programs like TEFL (Teaching English as a Second Language).

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver