English is the study of English language and literature. Courses taken in the program help majors acquire skills to read and analyze complex material, interpret and assess what is read, conduct language-based research, understand and use language, and write concise prose. Although there are requirements that must be met by all English majors, the program offers considerable flexibility. Courses are available in the areas of literature, language, creative writing, and professional writing and editing. Upon graduation, English majors have well-developed writing, analytical, and speaking skills that are valuable assets in many careers and to many employers. The department provides many opportunities for English majors (which are also open to any WVU student), including participating in the publication of Calliope, WVU’s award-winning literary magazine; entering one of the annual departmental writing contests; joining the English Club, which is open to any student with an interest in literature or creative writing; working at the Center for Literary Computing or the Center for Writing Excellence; and participating in a variety of annual symposia, readings, and workshops. Outstanding English students are recognized by induction into the national English honorary, Sigma Tau Delta, and are eligible for several scholarships coordinated by the Department. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For more information, contact Dr. Timothy Adams at 304-293-3107, or via e-mail at: Tim.Adams@mail.wvu.edu Or visit the Web site at: http://english.wvu.edu/

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and Sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
If University admission requirements are met, a student may be accepted as a Pre-English major. Upon completion of 58 credit hours with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, a student may apply for admission to the English program. A grade of C or better must be earned in all English classes up to that point.

Curriculum
A minimum of 33 credit hours in literature, language, or writing, exclusive of English 101 and 102, are required for all English majors. Since a maximum of 42 credit hours in English, exclusive of English 101 and 102, are allowed to count toward the degree, students are encouraged to pursue a broad-based liberal education. Major requirements include four survey courses covering American and British literature, one Shakespeare course, one course on the English language, and at least three courses at the 300-400 level. To graduate, English majors must receive grades of C or better in all required classes.

English majors may select an area of concentration in literature, creative writing, or professional writing and editing. A wide range of courses is available in each of the three topics, and other options may be designed by the student and a faculty advisor. Students may minor in English language and literature, which consists of 15 hours beyond English 101 and 102 with a minimum of nine hours at the upper level (300-499). Minors are available in creative writing, professional writing and editing, and literature.

Course Work

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
A degree in English offers many opportunities. Graduates from the program have continued their education by attending graduate school or have used their English degree as a preprofessional degree for medical or law school. Still others have become associated with writing in media-related fields, professional writing and editing, creative writing, or management positions.

Business and industry leaders consistently call for applicants with a solid command of written and spoken English. Jobs available to graduates include administrative assistant, customer service representative, editor, management trainee, office manager, and public information specialist.

Graduates also have the opportunity to enter the teaching profession at public and private institutions.

Graduate School Opportunities
Advanced degree options for English graduates include journalism, creative writing, professional and technical writing, and language and literature studies. Many majors decide to continue their schooling, often in an English graduate program or in law school.

English graduates also pursue advanced study in a diversity of disciplines, including business or public administration, education, medicine, psychology, and social work.

WVU offers master’s and doctoral degrees in English.

Salary Range
According to the fall 2003 National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey, the average starting salary for a graduate with a bachelor’s degree was $30,500.