Program Overview:
English majors explore literature from antiquity through the contemporary moment, from within and without the traditional canon, and from a variety of critical and cultural perspectives. English students also study expository and creative writing, performance, and film. Career opportunities for graduates in English include publishing, editing, journalism, website content development, advertising, library and information science, teaching on all levels, broadcasting, technical writing, and public relations. English majors also qualify for a wide variety of administrative positions in business, government, and human service. Our majors are well prepared for graduate study in English and other fields, such as law.
The English program also offers other important opportunities: an affiliation agreement with Regent’s College in London, allowing Saint Rose students to spend a semester abroad without concern about transferring the credits earned; and a 3+3 program for exceptional students who wish to pursue advanced study in law. All English majors gain professional experience as seniors: English majors complete an internship in a professional context, such as a government agency, non-profit organization, or public relations firm.
The English Department provides minors in writing, film and digital media studies, digital publishing, and literature to students in all disciplines.
Policies
Once students have matriculated, courses counting as major or concentration requirements must be taken at The College of Saint Rose. Writing courses may not ordinarily be taken on an audit basis.
Students must receive a grade of C or better in courses counting toward the major.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Jennifer Marlow
Chair, English Department
Email: marlowj@strose.edu
Program Webpage: English
Program Requirements:
Major in English (48 credits)
Required courses (16 credits):
ENG 330 prerequisites: ENG 112 or ENG 114 and two literature courses at the 200-level or one 200-level and one 300-level literature course.
ENG 494 and ENG 498 prerequisites: ENG 330, one 300-level writing course, 90 credits, and at least one 300-level literature course.
English Portfolio
In addition to the course work listed for English majors, each student prepares and submits a portfolio at the end of their course of study. Students should see their advisors or consult the English Department webpage for further information.
Thirty-two additional credit hours of English courses with these stipulations: (See lists below for categories that fulfill specific requirements. Although one course may fulfill two stipulations, all English majors must complete 32 credits of these courses.)
Literature Courses (20 credits):
| | Two 200-level literature courses | 8 |
| | Three 300-level literature courses | 12 |
Two of these courses, on either the 200- or 300-level, must be in Early Literature and two, on either the 200- or 300-level, in Later Literature.
Writing courses (8 credits):
| | 200-level writing course | 4 |
| | 300-level writing course | 4 |
Performance Arts or Film/Digital Media course (4 credits):
| | Performance Arts or Film/Digital Media course | 4 |
Categories for English elective courses:
Early Literature (Pre-1800 for British Literature; pre-1900 for American Literature; pre-1650 for World Literature):
Later Literature (Post-1800 for British Literature; post-1900 for American Literature; post-1650 for World Literature):
200-level literature courses (all writing intensive):
300-level literature courses (all writing-intensive):
200-level writing courses:
300-level writing courses (all writing-intensive):
Performance Arts courses:
Film/Digital Media courses*:
* Additional courses with a film and/or digital media focus may also fulfill this requirement.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course:
English majors complete an internship in a professional context, such as a government agency, non-profit organization, or public relations firm.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Courses:
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. This plan should be used along with your Degree Works and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Fall (15 credits)
ENG 105 (C1) (4 cr)
ENG 112 (4 cr)
Core Requirement (C5) (4 cr)
Core Requirement (C3) (3 cr)
Spring (13-14 credits)
200-level literature (C2) (4 cr)
Core Requirement (C8) (3-4 cr)
Core Requirement (C6) (3 cr)
Core Requirement (C4) (3 cr)
Fall (14-15 credits)
200-level literature (4 cr)
ENG Perf/Film/Digital Media (4 cr)
Core requirement (C9) (3 cr)
Core requirement (C8) (3-4 cr)
Spring (14-15 credits)
200-level writing course (4 cr)
ENG 330 or 300-level literature (4 cr)
Core requirement (C7) (3 cr)
General Elective or Minor course (3-4 cr)
Fall (14-16 credits)
ENG 330 or 300-level literature (4 cr)
ENG 300-level literature (4 cr)
General elective or minor (3 or 4 cr)
General elective or minor (3 or 4 cr)
Spring (15-17 credits)
ENG 300-level literature (4 cr)
ENG 300-level writing (4 cr)
General elective or minor (3 or 4 cr)
General elective or minor (3 or 4 cr)
Fall (17-18 credits)
ENG 494 or ENG 498 (4 cr)
ENG 300-level literature (4 cr)
General elective or minor (3 cr)
General elective or minor (3 cr)
General elective or minor (3 or 4 cr)
Spring (16 credits)
ENG 494 or ENG 498 (4 cr)
General elective or minor (3 cr)
General elective or minor (3 cr)
General elective or minor (3 cr)
General elective or minor (3 cr)
Two of your literature courses, on either the 200 or 300 level, must be in Early Literature and two, on either the 200 or 300 level, in Later Literature.
Early Literature courses are pre-1800 for British Literature; pre-19005 for American Literature; and pre-1650 for World Literature.
In certain situations, students may substitute ENG 114 for ENG 112.
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Career opportunities for graduates in English include publishing, editing, journalism, website content development, advertising, library and information science, teaching on all levels, broadcasting, technical writing, and public relations. English majors also qualify for a wide variety of administrative positions in business, government, and human service. Our majors are well prepared for graduate study in English and other fields, such as law.
Careers for English Majors
Although there is not one obvious career choice for an English major, the possibilities are almost endless. This isn't just an empty promise, either. Look below for a sampling of positions held by recent English graduates at The College of Saint Rose.
- Digital Operations Administrator at Barnes & Noble’s digital headquarters in Manhattan
- Parent Engagement Facilitator for the Reading School District
- Associate of Rights and Permissions for Penguin Random House Audio, New York, NY
- Assistant Professor of Poetry/Social Action and Composition Studies at California State University Monterey Bay
- House Principal, Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland, NY
- Student Development at Columbia College
- Public Affairs Officer, US Navy
- Case Manager/Housing Specialist in County Mental Health Department
- Human Resources Specialist
- Assistant Professor of English at several colleges, e.g., Union College, Western Arizona State College, Siena College
- Assistant Professor at community colleges, e.g., Fulton Montgomery Community College, Adirondack Community College, Hudson Valley Community College
- Directors of Writing Centers at colleges, e.g., Siena and FMCC
- Editor at Thomson West
- Editor, Federal Register
- Lawyer, Warren County
- High School Guidance Counselor
- Director of Prayer and Worship for a Catholic diocese
- Case Manager at a school for court-referred girls
- High school and middle school English Teachers in many local and regional and national secondary schools, such as Schalmont, Shaker, Schenectady, Bethlehem Central, Colonie Central, Watervliet, Cohoes, Scotia-Glenville, and Voorheesville
- Medical Services Coordinator
- Program Officer for Support Group
- Peace Corps Worker in French-speaking Africa
- Positions in Advertising
- Librarian
- Positions in Public Relations
- Positions in Business Administration
- Positions in Forestry
- Events Manager and Fundraising Associate
Graduate Study
Many of our majors also go on to graduate school and have been successful in achieving M.A., M.F.A., J.D. and Ph.D. degrees in a range of fields from such institutions as Binghamton University, Emerson College, Harvard University, New York University, the State University of New York at Albany, Stony Brook University, Northeastern University, University of New Hampshire, Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan, and many others.
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