About the Department

In support of the Department Mission and Values Statement, the Department of English offers a wide variety of courses and programs in the fields of literature, language, and writing. One of several curricula may be selected by students who intend to adopt English as a major or minor, or by those who wish to take English courses as electives for enrichment in the liberal arts. The Department expects its majors, especially, to be able to write clearly and correctly.

Degrees Offered

BA Major in English

The English Major--consisting of four options: Literature, Creative Writing, Credential, and Contract--is designed for students who desire a concentration in the different fields of English, who wish to prepare for a career in secondary, college, or university teaching, or who intend to pursue some other career (such as law, medicine, or business) where a strong background in English is appropriate. (Students are required to choose one of these options or be admitted to the Honors Program in English.) For further information concerning choice of option or relating to career opportunities in English, see a departmental advisor or the Chair of the Department.

Major for Credential Candidates

The Major for Credential Candidates is the option in the English Major designed for students who wish to prepare for a career in teaching English at the junior high or high school level. To be eligible for student teaching, a student must complete the equivalent of the CSUN Credential Major in English with a GPA of 2.99 or better, take the required courses in Education, including Methods of Teaching English, and be interviewed by two members of the English Department. No grade less than "C" will be acceptable for those courses which constitute the core in the Credential Major. Normally, transfer students seeking a BA degree must complete successfully six (6) upper division units in this department and meet the requirements for the CSUN Credential Major in English. For details on the Credential Program see the Credential Section of this catalog or refer to the Index. See also the Department of Secondary Education's Four Year Integrated Teacher Credential Program.

Second BA Degree in English

The Second BA in English is available for students who, having completed the baccalaureate in another field, wish a second baccalaureate in the areas of literature, language, and writing. Postbaccalaureate credential candidates in English who are completing the subject matter preparation component of either the preliminary or clear credential may also wish to earn a second baccalaureate, and may do so through this option.

Honors in English

Honors in English is a special major program for students who wish to develop a strong academic background, as well as an ability to work both independently and in seminars in preparation for postgraduate study in English or for entry into a variety of postgraduate fields. For admission to the Honors Program, see the Honors Adviser. For more information, see the Honors Program Web Site.

Minor in English

The Minor in English is a unified program designed for the student who wishes to have a secondary concentration in literature, language, or writing. Though a minor is not required for a baccalaureate degree, students find it increasingly desirable.

MA Major in English

The Master of Arts in English--consisting of three options: Literature, Creative Writing, and Rhetoric and Composition Theory--offers concentrations in different fields of English for students who wish to prepare for college or university teaching, or who intend to pursue a career where advanced training in literary study, writing, or theory is appropriate. The English Department offers a limited number of openings for Classified Graduate Students who wish to be Teaching Associates. Teaching Associates enroll in English 600A and 600B, Problems in English as an Academic Subject, and normally teach, under supervision, one section per semester for a stipend and 3 units credit on their MA Contracts. Other teaching opportunities may be available to second year TAs. For further information concerning choice of option or career opportunities, students should see the Graduate Advisor. To apply for a Teaching Associateship, students should see the Director of Composition.

Academic Advice To Incoming Students

To help students achieve a university level of competence in writing, the Department of English offers English 155, Freshman Composition. The prerequisite to English 155 is the English Placement Test, which all students must enroll in and take at their first opportunity. The scores on this test provide valuable information about the students' skills in writing and reading. The test may indicate that some students need more instruction in writing through English 098, Developmental Writing. For students who need instruction in reading, the Department offers English 097, Developmental Reading. In addition to courses in reading and writing, the Department also provides assistance to students in the form of the Writing Laboratory, located in the Learning Resource Center. The Writing Laboratory is open to both new and continuing students on an appointment basis.

International Education

The Department of English supports the concept of international education and encourages students to investigate opportunities for overseas study. Certain courses taken at CSU International Program Study Centers in foreign countries are equivalent to courses in the Department of English and may be used to fulfill some of the requirements for degree options offered by the Department and/or certain general education requirements. Of particular interest to English majors is the London Semester. Students should consult the International Programs Bulletin available in the Office of International and Exchange Programs, a Departmental advisor, or the campus International Programs Advisor for more information.

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society at California State University, Northridge.

Associated Graduate Students in English

The Associated Graduate Students in English (AGSE) at California State University, Northridge, is the newly-restored organization created to provide peer support for CSUN graduate students in their academic careers as well as their future professions.