Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Literary Studies
Bachelor of ArtsRoanoke College
The Literary Studies program trains students to read critically, respond incisively, and write with discernment about the complex worlds depicted in a variety of texts and genres. Students explore familiar literary terrains as widely ranging as Hawthorne's New England or Virginia Woolf's London as well as unfamiliar worlds like Anita Desai's India or Ngugi wa Thiongo's Kenya. In learning to critically read and understand layered works of literature, students exercise their powers of imagination and empathy; thus, they develop both intellectual and life skills.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Learn about the world and yourself through literature. Develop strong anayltical and wiritng skills. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Useful courses for transfer credit: any literature from any time period or focus. Transferring some foreign language courses will help students finish that college requirement faster.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | Pursue internships, work on the literary magazine, or consider a concentraiton in Publishing. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Our students work in government, law, mass media, public communications, and a wide range of other professions. |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Roanoke College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Courses completed as part of an associate's degree or general education certificate will be evaluated by our Registrar at admission, and appropriate transfer credits will be awarded. Nearly all general education requirements can be completed with transfer credits. Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university taken as dual enrollment while in high school will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. Up to three additional World Language courses can satisfy the language requirement. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Credit for Prior Learning | In general, Roanoke does not offer credit for prior learning outside of higher education coursework. Military training transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education is accepted. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Roanoke has about 2000 students, mostly undergraduates. Classes are small, averaging 17 students, with a real commitment to teaching and supporting students. Expect close personal interactions with faculty and staff members who get to know you. Active athletic and recreational opportunities are part of the college as are a wide range of student clubs and activities. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. VCCS transfer students may choose a catalog from the two years prior to their first term of attendance if desired. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year for freshmen is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Expected transfer students should notify the admissions office as soon as possible, so we can provide advice on courses which will transfer. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Randolph-Macon College | English (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in English and Creative Writing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Ferrum College | B.S. in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in English, Major in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in English, Major in English, Concentration in Literature | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in English, Major in English, Concentration in Writing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | English BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | English: Secondary Teaching Licensure BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BA in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BA in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in English, Major in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
George Mason University | English, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | English - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | English-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in English:Creative Writing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | English Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Arts English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in English - Literature | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in English - Pre-Law | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in English - Writing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in English: Creative Writing emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in English: Creative Writing emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in English: Literature emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | English, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | English Literature (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | B.A. in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
25-1123.00 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
43-9081.00 | Proofreaders and Copy Markers | Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-3041.00 | Editors | Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-3043.05 | Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-3043.00 | Writers and Authors | Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete
