Program Overview

English Program Overview

The English program at Colorado State University offers a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses various concentrations, including Creative Writing, English Education, Integrated English Studies, Linguistics, Literature, and Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of literary traditions, styles, and the study of craft, preparing them for careers in writing, education, and related fields.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program in English requires a minimum of 120 credits, including 42 upper-division credits. Students must complete required major courses, concentration courses, upper-division English/composition electives, AUCC requirements, general electives, and a second field.

Required Major Courses

• CO 150: College Composition
• E 150: English Studies Symposium
• SPCM 200: Public Speaking
• Two Cross-Concentration classes:
  • E 200: Inquiry-Based Teaching and Communicating
  • E 202: Language Use in Society
  • E 204: Creative Writing as Transformative Practice (recommended)
  • E 206: Language for Activist Rhetoric & Writing
  • E 237: Introduction to Science Fiction
• One Introductory Literature class:
  • E 236: Short Fiction
  • E 238: Contemporary Global Fiction
  • E 240: Intro to Poetry
  • E 242: Reading Shakespeare
  • E 245: World Drama
  • E 270: Intro to American Lit
  • E 276: British Literature – Medieval to 1800
  • E 277: British Literature – After 1800
• One Methods class:
  • E 301: Framing Texts & Critical Theory in Equity
  • E 305: Principles of Writing & Rhetoric
  • E 310: Researching and Writing Literary Criticism
  • E 320: Intro to the Study of Language
  • E 341: Literary Criticism and Theory (recommended)

Required Concentration Courses

• E 210: Beginning Creative Writing
• Choose one from the following intermediate courses:
  • E 311A: Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction
  • E 311B: Intermediate Creative Writing: Poetry
  • E 311C: Intermediate Creative Writing: Nonfiction
• Choose one from the following advanced workshops (must match genre of intermediate course taken):
  • E 412A: Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction
  • E 412B: Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry
  • E 412C: Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction
• Capstone Course: E 465: Topics in Language & Literature OR E 466: Integrated English Studies

Upper Division English / Composition Electives

Earn 18 credits from your choice of upper-division English/Composition electives in consultation with your academic success coordinator. Must include one Composition course from the following options:

• CO 300: Writing Arguments
• CO 301A: Writing in the Disciplines: Arts and Humanities
• CO 301B: Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences
• CO 301C: Writing in the Disciplines: Social Sciences
• CO 301D: Writing in the Disciplines: Education
• CO 302: Writing in Digital Environments

AUCC Requirements

Earn 31 credits from your choice of foundational courses offered across the university. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required in all AUCC courses.

General Electives

Earn remaining credits from your choice of history, social science, arts & humanities, environmental studies & sustainability, and more!

Second Field

Creative Writing concentrators can meet the second field requirement by either completing the second year of a foreign language, or by completing 12 upper-level credits in a cohesive field of study outside of English.

Graduate Program

The graduate program in English offers various concentrations, including M.F.A. in Creative Writing, M.A. in English Education, M.A. in Literature, M.A. in TEFL/TESL, and M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change. The program also offers Accelerated Master’s Programs, courses, and graduate teaching assistantships.

Research & Artistry

The English department is involved in various research and artistry projects, including the Center for Literary Publishing & Colorado Review, Greyrock Review, University Writing Center, and Community Literacy Center.

People

The English department consists of faculty and staff who are dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive education in English.

Alumni & Giving

The English department has a strong alumni network, with graduates pursuing careers in publishing, editing, communications, marketing, public relations, education, healthcare, and more. Alumni have also built active writing careers, landing book deals in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The department also offers opportunities for giving and supporting the program.