Skip to main content

English, B.A.

School of Arts and Sciences

What's possible when the written word becomes the vehicle for self expression?
Anything.

Literature changes the way we view the world.

As an English major, you’ll deepen your understanding through literature, as well as learn to express your original thoughts and insights through writing and speech.

Flexibility within the program allows you to prepare for a career in high school teaching, journalism, law, library science, or a wide range of other options. You can study Harry Potter in British Literature or develop your creative writing while expanding your repertoire of skills for multiple career paths.

With an English degree, you’ll be prepared with the versatile skill of effectively communicating across a wide variety of formats, texts and styles.

 

Program Highlights

  • Pursue your unique interests with courses like Hispanic Literature of the United States, Creative Writing: Fiction, Film Studies, C. S. Lewis, and Literature for Children and Young Adults.
  • A tailorable final project offers opportunities to blend creative expression, textual analysis, and rhetorical performance to tell stories of societal, cultural, or personal significance.
  • Participate in cross-cultural learning experiences
  • Study abroad in England
  • Gain insight into relevant career opportunities through the Job of the Week series

Yes! Tell Me More!

Loading...

Catalog

Program Director: Eleanor Nickel, Ph.D.

Overview

The English major is ideal for students who love literature, language, and creative writing. Completing this major will prepare students to enter a single subject credential program to become a high school English teacher, and it will also prepare students for a range of other careers in editing, journalism, law, library science, publishing, and many other fields.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will read, interpret, and critique a variety of literary and non-literary texts that reflect a range of styles, historical periods, and cultural perspectives.
  2. Students will create a variety of literary and non-literary texts, demonstrating effective communication in multiple modes for multiple audiences and purposes.
  3. Students will articulate the diverse ethical, cultural, political, and religious contexts of literary texts.
  4. Students will use current disciplinary discourse, terminology, and research conventions.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Degree Pathways

English, B.A. Four Year Pathway  

English, B.A. Three Year Pathway  

English, B.A. ADT Pathway    

Required Courses (36 Units)

Core Courses

  • COM 480 - Narrative Credits 3
  • LIT 415 - Shakespeare Credits 3
  • LIT 460 - Critical Approaches to Literature Credits 3

American Literature Courses

Select one.

  • LIT 355 - American Literature: Beginnings to 19th Century Credits 3
  • LIT 360 - American Literature: 20th Century Credits 3
  • LIT 364 - Hispanic Literature of the United States Credits 3

British Literature Courses

Select one.

  • LIT 400 - Medieval Life, Thought and Literature Credits 3
  • LIT 405 - England in the Renaissance World Credits 3
  • LIT 420 - Romantic and Victorian Literature Credits 3
  • LIT 425 - Modern and Contemporary British Literature Credits 3

Language Courses

Select one.

  • COM 350 - Visual Rhetoric Credits 3
  • LANG 331 - Linguistics and Modern Grammar Credits 3
  • PHIL 455 - Philosophy of Language Credits 3

Writing Courses

Select two.

  • COM 300 - Creative Writing: Fiction Credits 3
  • COM 310 - Creative Writing: Poetry Credits 3
  • COM 320 - Creative Writing: Nonfiction Credits 3
  • COM 330 - Writing and Reading Journalism Credits 3
  • COM 486 - Topics in Communication Credits 3

Electives

Select twelve units from those courses listed above under American and British Literature Courses, Language Courses, and Writing Courses or from the following list:

  • COM 342 - Advanced Academic Research and Composition Credits 3
  • COM 346 - Scriptwriting Credits 3
  • COM 355 - Digital Video Production Credits 3
  • COM 368 - Ancient and Medieval Rhetoric Credits 3
  • COM 380 - Film Studies Credits 3
  • COM 390 - UI/UX Web Design Credits 3
  • COM 395 - Text and Performance Credits 3
  • COM 400 - Intercultural Communication Credits 3
  • COM 410 - Media and Society Credits 3
  • COM 420 - Conflict Management and Resolution Credits 3
  • COM 430 - Group Dynamics and Leadership Credits 3
  • COM 450 - Communication Theory Credits 3
  • COM 486 - Topics in Communication Credits 3
  • COM 496 - Communication Internship Credits 3
  • HIST 364 - Classical Mythology Credits 3
  • LA 180 - Paths to Teaching Credits 3
  • LA 380 - Learning Communities Credits 3
  • LANG 311 - Principles of Language Acquisition Credits 3
  • LIT 370 - The Novel Credits 3
  • LIT 426 - C.S. Lewis Credits 3
  • LIT 449 - Literature and Film Credits 3
  • LIT 465 - Literature for Children and Young Adults Credits 3
  • LIT 486 - Topics in Literature Credits 1 - 3 *must be taken for 3 units
  • LIT 496 - Literature Internship Credits 1 - 3
  • THEO 400 - Theology and the Arts Credits 3
  • THTR 355 - Creative Drama Credits 3

Three-year Degree Option

This academic program is available as a three-year bachelor's degree or as a standard four-year bachelor’s degree. View more information about the three-year option.

Sample Curriculum Map

Below is a sample curriculum map for this program. This map serves as an example of how courses are set up to ensure completion of the degree in three years. The course listing is based on a sample year and follows a fall, spring and summer academic year. Some courses are only offered on odd or even years. An advisor will work with you to create a curriculum map that is unique to you.

Year 1

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
CP 152Freshman Seminar1
BIB 100Jesus and the Christian Community3
HIST 120Ancient Civilizations4
COM 110Written Communication3
LIT 180Introduction to Literature3
SPAN 100Elementary Spanish4
 Total units18

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
 Humanities3
HIST 130Medieval and Early Modern Civilization4
COM 120Oral Communication3
SPAN 105Elementary Spanish II4
 Social Science3
 Total units17

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
HIST 140Modern Civilizations4
 Biblical Literature3
PHYS 106Physical Science3
 Total units10

Year 2

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
MATH 120Principles of Mathematics4
KIN 120Concepts of Wellness3
COM 345Composition Theory and Writing3
COM 300Creative Writing: Fiction3
LIT 460Critical Approaches to Literature3
COM 155Journalism Practicum1
 Total units17

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
BIOL 100Principles of Biology4
 Social Science3
LIT 415Shakespeare3
COM 310Creative Writing: Poetry3
LANG 340Introduction to Linguistics3
COM 155Journalism Practicum1
 Total units17

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
WILD 300Wilderness & the Liberal Arts3
PHIL 430Wilderness Philosophy, Theology, and Literature3
PE 146Backpacking1
 Total units7

Year 3

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
COM 395Text and Performance3
LIT 420English Literature: Romantic and Victorian Literature3
LIT 448Multicultural Literature3
 English Elective3
 English Elective3
COM 155Journalism Practicum1
 Total units16

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
COM 480Narrative3
LIT 380World Theater: Roots to 18003
COM 350Visual Rhetoric3
 English Elective3
 General Elective3
 General Elective3
 Total units18

Total Units: 120

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
  • 4 years of college preparatory English
  • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 1 year of laboratory science
  • 1 year of performing art
  • 3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind

Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.

All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information

English (AA-T) to English, B.A.

BA courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • COM 110   Written Communication (3)
    • LIT 180   Introduction to Literature (3)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application

For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:

  1. Fill out the re-application form
  2. Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission

Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:

  1. Fill out the re-admission form
  2. Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating Non Matriculating/Non-Degree status non-matriculation application
  2. Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
  3. Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
  4. Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class

Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating audit status
  2. Personal essays are not required

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements

This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.

  • Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
  • This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
  • Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
  • The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
  • Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
  • Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
  • Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
  • Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
  • Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
  • Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
  • Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
  • Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2023-2024
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $34,960
Student body fee $598
Total Tuition and Fees $35,548
Room $5,018
Board $5,130
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $45,696
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,248
Summer Session $500
Private Music Instruction $400
2022-2023
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $33,614
Student body fee $574
Total Tuition and Fees $34,188
Room and Board $8,884
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $43,072
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,218
Summer Session $400
Private Music Instruction $400
2021-2022
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $32,954
Student body fee $498
Total Tuition and Fees $33,452
Room and Board $8,710
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $42,162
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,177
Summer Session $300
Private Music Instruction $400

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Module*FallSpring
Modules$4,313$4,313
Jost Modules$4,619$4,619 

* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)

Junior / Senior Housing

Suites & HousesFallSpring
Room only$2,068$2,068
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$2,719$2,719
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,276$3,276
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,400$4,400
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person)FallSpring
Apartment - Room only$2,694$2,694
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,345$3,345
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,902$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,026$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall  Apartments: 3 PersonFallSpring
Apartments - Room only$3,306$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,958$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,514$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,639$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal PlansFallSpring
70 Block$651$651
140 Block$1,208$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan$2,332$2,332

* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.

Notes about housing

  • For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
  • Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
  • Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.

If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

Approximately half of our students go on to careers in teaching, and your degree in English allows you to enter a single subject credential program to become a high school English teacher.

Career Possibilities

  • Teacher
  • Creative writer
  • Journalist
  • Librarian
  • Speech writer
  • Communications specialist

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center