The programs in English exemplify the goal of the liberal arts: to prepare people for life. English courses acquaint students with what writers have created in the past, what people in diverse cultures understand and celebrate as literary art, and what the best minds in our own society have to say. They teach analytical skills which are crucial to any sophisticated reader and thinker; they also offer students opportunities to hone their skills in communicating both creative impulses and informed judgments about the world.

Students in the BA program gain some exposure to each of five major areas of English studies: British Literature; American Literature; World Literature; Linguistics or Literary Criticism; and Composition. They then choose a concentration in one of the five areas and take elective English courses and a senior capstone to complete their major.

Students in the BS program focus on linguistics, language arts, and analytical skills and round out their major by choosing courses from other areas of the diverse English menu.

English BA and BS graduates are thus provided with habits of thought needed to make intelligent and humane decisions, to communicate those decisions, and to lead others. They should emerge from our program as committed life long learners, ready to enjoy their lives as they enter the work world or as they pursue graduate or professional studies. A variety of careers - such as technical writing, journalism, public relations, management, diplomacy, law, linguistics, and education - await graduates of these programs.

English majors interested in pursuing an advanced degree in secondary English teaching at Truman State University must meet the requirements for admission to the Master of Arts in Education program as stated in the Education section of the Course Catalogue. These requirements are consistent with the standards set forth by the National Council of Teachers of English and should provide a strong foundation for teacher preparation for those pursuing certification or a degree here or elsewhere. Missouri state certification requirements are also listed in the Education section. Close consultation with an English academic advisor is strongly recommended.