Program Overview

A major is the part of a degree representing the most concentrated study in a field of knowledge. Completing an English major, however, is not enough for graduation. The B.A. at CSULB presently requires 120 academic units (each unit means about an hour of class for 15 weeks); most English options require around 40-45 units. A B.A. requires a General Education pattern, varying with one’s first year of college, but now consisting of 48 units. 120 units also requires “electives,” such as more classes for an English major, a second or previous major, a minor, a certificate, or exploring other fields beyond GE requirements. Faculty, staff, and trained student advisors can help you understand and satisfy these requirements.

Option in Special Emphasis

Some students wishing to major in English have special interests or career objectives so different from those for which the other options are designed that another pattern of courses would better serve their personal educational needs. For those students, the Special Emphasis option offers an opportunity to pursue individually designed 41-unit programs of study. Student programs may center on technical writing, for example, or other writing goals; they may focus on American or English literature or literature in a particular genre, a particular historical period, or a particular theme. A Special Emphasis program may include courses outside the Department of English closely related to a student’s focus in English studies. At least 21 units must be earned in the Department of English at CSULB and at least 21 units of the program must be upper division. For degrees with more than four courses in any single other department, students should consider a Special Major in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Students wishing to take the Special Emphasis option should prepare a detailed program proposal early in their college careers. Such programs will be recognized only if planned in consultation with a faculty advisor in the Department of English, approved in writing by the advisor, given signed approval by the Department Chair, and carried out under the advisor’s continuing supervision. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division units applicable to their Special Emphasis program after it has been officially approved. The only specific course requirements and limitations are the following: ENGL 180, Composition and Literature (3 units); ENGL 380, Approaches to English Studies (4 units). Electives in English and related fields are needed to make up a total of 41 units. These electives may not include ENGL 100 or 101.