MTSU has five undergraduate major programs in English leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and two to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. All paths offer students training in reading, writing, and critical thinking, preparing them for a variety of fields that are looking for well-rounded individuals with good communication skills and the ability to learn and grow in their professions.

The English Major without a concentration (B.A. and B.S.) is designed for students interested in a broad experience of English studies.

The English Major with a Teaching Licensure Concentration (B.A. and B.S.) is for students who plan to teach English in grades 6-12. English department courses in this concentration are chosen to provide students with a strong background in the subject they will be teaching. It is the most proscribed of our concentrations, requiring students to take specific courses in six of the seven areas as well as an additional course in Teaching English (English 4900). In addition, students must complete a minor in Secondary Education (including a year of “residency”). Students successfully pursuing this curriculum along with the requirements of the licensure program will be prepared to teach 6-12 English in the state of Tennessee. (Note: This is not the program for students whose plan is to apply to graduate school in English in order to teach at the university level eventually. University faculty do not need a state teaching license. Graduate programs will provide teaching education preparation for college level instructors.) This program consists of 32 or 33 hours of English studies along with 30 hours of education classes.

The Literature and Culture Concentration (B.A.) is for students who want to study English in an interdisciplinary context. The main goal of the Cultural Studies concentration is to provide students with the opportunity to examine culture through the study of texts within an interdisciplinary framework. Students may choose a general cultural studies curriculum or they may specialize within the concentration by choosing courses in an area such as women in literature, popular literature, folklore, world literature, children's literature, multicultural literature, etc. The course of study is designed to help students broaden their understanding of the relationship between culture and literature.

The Literary Studies Concentration (B.A.) gives students contemplating academic or professional careers a focused training in theory and critical thinking. The Literary Studies concentration is designed to provide students with the opportunity to take a greater number of advanced courses in literature and to focus on their interests within specific areas of English studies. Students may choose to emphasize a period, an author, or a genre or they may choose to increase their general knowledge of the field. Many students choose the Literary Studies concentration as a preparation for graduate or professional school.

The Writing Studies Concentration (B.A.) is designed for students who want to focus on their writing. The Writing concentration gives students interested in developing themselves as writers the opportunity to do so while pursuing a major in English. Students may choose a general writing curriculum or they may specialize within the concentration by choosing courses in one area such as creative or professional writing.

Degrees in English increase opportunities for success in a constantly changing job market. An emphasis on clear and logical communication prepares students for a wide range of occupations, rather than emphasizing one or two vocational tracks. Students in the program have gone on to such positions as

Advertising/public relations executive
Content manager
Creative writer
Director/support staff for non-profit organizations
Editor
Lawyer (after law school)
Librarian
Manager
Professional/technical writer
Public servant
Publisher
Researcher
Reviewer
School administrator
Software developer
Teacher