Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

BA in English

Bachelor of Arts
University of Mary Washington

As a University of Mary Washington English major, you'll investigate the great body of literature in the English language and develop your skills in analytic, creative, and journalistic writing. You'll learn to think critically and communicate clearly, skills that will enhance your value in a career or graduate school. At UMW, you'll find relevant course offerings in ancient to modern literatures, literary theory, memoir, poetry, creative writing, journalism, magazine writing, digital storytelling, and more.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The English major is a diverse collection of courses that focus on literature, writing, and linguistics and prepare students for careers involving textual analysis and clearly articulated written assessments. The major is thus excellent for persons going on to do work in business, law, library science, and translation, among other fields, as well as teaching on levels from the elementary classroom to the university setting.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

A minimum of 120 credits are required; all general education, intensives, and major requirements must be met. Thirty-one of the 120 credits must be completed at UMW. Fifteen of your last 21 credits must be earned on campus. You must have an overall and major GPA of 2.00.

The restrictions below apply to the BA/BS degrees:

    *Only 8 credits of PHYD will count
    *Only 8 cr in debate/comm consulting practicum
    *Only 8 credits in THEA 390 will count
    *Only 12 credits of private music will count
    *Only 10 credits of ensemble music will count
    *One 100-level BIOL sequence will count
      -BIOL 121, 122 or -BIOL 125, 126
    *One 100-level CHEM sequence will count
      -CHEM 105, 106 or CHEM 111, 112
    *One 100-level PHYS sequence will count
      -PHYS 101, 102 or PHYS 105, 106
    *Only 12 credits of any internship and EDUC 440
    *BLST/PORT classes do not count toward the degree
    *Only 9 credits of overlap allowed between double majors

This Degree Evaluation is an advising tool to be used in consultation with your major advisor and staff in the Offices of the Registrar and Academic Services. It is not the final approval for degree completion.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

The English major (including its concentration in creative writing) is very flexible with no courses that a transferring English major must take before coming to UMW. Although lower-level literature courses do not count in the major, students are urged to take these to develop skills of literary analysis and familiarity with literary history. ENG 200: Introduction to Linguistics will fulfill a requirement in the major. Students who want to do the concentration in creative writing can take ENG 211: Creative Writing. Because it has a UMW-specific prerequisite, that course will fulfill an option in the major only once the student has completed ENGL 295 at UMW; however, taking ENG 211 will shorten the creative writing sequence by a semester.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and University of Mary Washington within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree The 36-credit English major is often paired with a second major. The most common is the 36-credit Communication and Digital Studies major since students can have 9 credits of overlap between these two majors, with a range of options for those 9 credits. The most popular minor pairing is Linguistics, which can be done with only 12 additional credits. Students can include 3 credits of internship in the English major.
Program Successes & Highlights The English major rountinely sends graduates into M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. programs. It has also had excellent success in placing alumni in writing-based positions associated with the government and the military, as facilitated by the northern Virginia locale. The research-focused capstone in the English major and the course in literary journals in the English major with a concentration in creative writing make graduates particularly attractive.
Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

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.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between University of Mary Washington 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.

Institution Name Type Title
Germanna Community College Institutional Partnership Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement
Rappahannock Community College Institutional Partnership Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement
Germanna Community College Concurrent Enrollment Concurrent Enrollment Agreement
Richard Bland College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and Richard Bland College
Northern Virginia Community College Institutional Partnership Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System

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?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completing the appropriate transfer degree through VCCS allows students to enter the university as a junior with nearly all general education requirements satisfied.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs and must complete 3 college specific general education courses. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Credit for Prior Learning UMW accepts AP, IB and CLEP results for college credit if the scores earned meets college expectations. Enter your test scores into the portal to see if scores will earn credit.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: University of Mary Washington
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
482
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
71% of transfer applicants were admitted across three programs. Avg GPA for admitted transfers was 3.1027.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? UMW is a perfectly sized university of 3,700 undergraduates that blends opportunity with community. Set in Fredericksburg, our park-like campus for both residential and commuter students is located fifty miles south of Washington, DC and fifty miles north of Richmond, VA. Fredericksburg is one of the most southern final stops on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) which has allowed convenient commuter access to DC for internship experiences while studying at UMW. Founded more than 100 years ago, UMW currently offers 80 majors, minors, and programs through our College of Business, Colleges of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Declare intent to transfer to UMW by completing the “GAA Student Letter of Intent form” available at the Office of Admissions website after a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer associate degree is completed at the community college and before applying for graduation from the community college
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Arts EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Arts in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Hollins UniversityBA in English and Creative WritingBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in English, Major in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in English, Major in English, Concentration in LiteratureBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in English, Major in English, Concentration in WritingBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University English BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University English: Secondary Teaching Licensure BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in English EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Literary StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBA in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Arts in English, Major in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
George Mason UniversityEnglish, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Arts in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryEnglish - Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityEnglish-BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeEnglish Major - BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Arts EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBA in English - LiteratureBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBA in English - Pre-LawBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBA in English - WritingBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Arts in English: Creative Writing emphasisBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Fine Arts in English: Creative Writing emphasisBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Arts in English: Literature emphasisBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityEnglish, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityEnglish Literature (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeEnglish (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Regent UniversityB.A. in EnglishBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearHybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1123.00English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach 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
43-9081.00Proofreaders and Copy MarkersRead 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
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at University of Mary Washington
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $0 Per Semester $0 $0 $0 7,422.50 (Tuition for a full-time status of 12 - 18 credit hours)
Fees
Mandatory Fee $0 Per Semester $0 0 $0 $30 (Mandatory Processing Fee)
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • New Student Programs and Arrival Fee
    • $400 (The New Student Programs and Arrival Fee covers costs associated with new student arrival in Fall and the first-year (transfer) experience)
    • $200 T(he New Student Programs and Arrival Fee covers costs associated with new student arrival in Spring and the first-year (transfer) experience)
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.