Bachelor of Arts in English

Based on VCCS Curriculum for ENGLISH

Complete at a Virginia Community College	Credits	Course Equivalent	Notes
SDV 100 or 101	1-2	Does not transfer
ENG 111	3	ENGL 101	College Comp I; Writing Intensive
ENG 112	3	ENGL 202X	College Comp II; Writing Intensive
ENG 225, 245, 246, 250, 255, 258, or 275	3	ENGL 206A or NOTMAJ	Select one course from list; ENG 255 = ENGL 206A
Any UCGS Art or Humanities	3	Arts & Lit or Humanities
Any UCGS Social & Behavioral Science	3	Social Science
Any UCGS History	3	Humanities
Any UCGS Natural Sciences	4	Natural Science w/ Lab
Any UCGS Math	3-5	Quantitative Reasoning
CST 100 or CST 110	3-4	Speaking Intensive
Any elective for transferable associate degree	3-4
ENG 225, 245, 246, 250, 255, 258, or 275	3	ENGL 206A or NOTMAJ	Select one course from list; ENGL 206A fulfills Diverse and Global Perspectives
ENG 200, ASL 220, ENG 211, 236	3-6	LING 101B or ENGL 202J	Select 1-2 courses from list; LING 101B required for major
Additional literature course from previous row	6
World Languages through 201	10-16		Recommend completion of 201-level course
Additional transfer electives to meet 60 credits
Pre-Transfer Credits	60-62

Complete at University of Mary Washington	Credits	Notes
ENGL 295	3	Methods of Advanced Literary Studies
Pre-1800 300- or 400-level Lit Course	3
Pre-1900 300- or 400-level Lit Course	3
Post-1900 300- or 400-level Lit course	3
300- or 400-level Lit course from Historically Marginalized Group	3
Two additional 300- or 400-level Lit courses	6
300- or 400-level advanced writing course	3	ENG 211 can transfer as ENGL 302A after completing ENGL 295
Linguistics 101B	3	Many students complete through VCCS
300- or 400-level Linguistics course	3
Elective Credits (300- or 400-level ENGL or LING)	3	Can include JOUR 200
Capstone course (400-level seminar)	3
ENGL 401, Professional Identities (Recommended)	1	Optional but recommended; fulfills After Mary Washington requirement
Elective Credits to reach 120 total credits	22-24	Students may complete up to 60 credits in any one discipline
World Language at 201 level	3	See details under course selection
Post-Transfer Credits	58-60

Earn a transfer associate degree
Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for your associate degree
Earn grades of "C" or higher in all courses to be eligible to transfer those credits
Create an account through https://www.transfervirginia.org/ portal to register your intent

University Transfer Center: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/
Register Intent to Transfer: After first 15 credits, complete form and submit to admit@umw.edu for application fee waiver
Admission Application: Apply by October 15 for spring, March 1 for summer, April 1 for fall
Financial Aid: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/contactus/
FAFSA: Apply by April 1 at studentaid.gov

UMW requires proficiency in a second language. This can be satisfied by completing four years in high school, transferring credits, or completing through 201 level at UMW. American Sign Language is accepted
Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites
Connect with an advisor at your community college and UMW within your first year

The English major is for people who love language and literature and have a passion for applying creative and analytic mindset
English majors typically enjoy engaging in conversations about impact and meaning of literary texts
English majors develop outstanding communication and intercultural skills

Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Transfer students with VCCS transferable associate degree have completed UMW general education requirements except second language competency, digital intensive, diverse and global perspectives, after Mary Washington, and beyond the classroom requirements
Dual Enrollment: Students participating in dual enrollment are considered freshman applicants. Dual enrollment status does not affect transferability of courses
Credit for Prior Learning: UMW accepts credit for AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and other qualifying coursework
Catalog Year: Students must complete general education requirements associated with academic year they enroll at UMW

UMW campus is gorgeous, green, and full of opportunity
UMW is a small university in suburban Fredericksburg, VA with small class sizes
UMW offers high impact experiences beyond the classroom with faculty committed to collaboration
UMW is located between Washington DC and Richmond, VA in largest technology corridor in Virginia with multitude of internship opportunities

Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements
Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid

Many English majors find careers in writing or publishing
Others pursue pathways in teaching, most often in K-12 system
Many students end up working in business settings (PR, Marketing) or non-profit settings
Core skills of English major are readily transferable to job market

Alumni of English major have succeeded in many different areas
Many students go on to complete advanced degrees in English, Creative Writing, and Education

With an associate’s degree and 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA, you may qualify for UMW’s Guaranteed Admissions Agreement with VCCS

Many students leverage skills by seeking advanced certificates in professional writing, technical writing, publishing, and editing
Most common pathway is to pursue advanced degree in Education to teach English in K-12 system
Others use English as foundation to pursue JD to practice law

Students must earn at least 30 credits at UMW as a degree-seeking student (not including physical education credits)
Students must earn a GPA of 2.0 in both major and overall coursework to complete degree

4-Year Major

Communication and English

Applicable School(s)

University of Mary Washington

Category/Topic

Transfer Guides

Last revised on Monday April 06 2026

Created on Monday April 06 2026