Undergraduate Major in Writing (B.A. Degree)

This program will prepare you to think critically, read carefully, solve problems creatively, and write with clarity, grace and power. These are exactly the qualities needed to succeed as a writer when faced with diverse writing challenges in a breadth of professional settings or in graduate school. As a writing major, you'll gain the confidence to take on a variety of assignments and complete them successfully. The B.A. degree in writing can be earned entirely online, as well as on campus.

General Requirements

Students majoring in writing must present a total of 39 credit hours for the major (excluding ENGL 1010,1020, 2030 applied toward the core curriculum). Of that total, 27 hours must be earned in upper-division courses.

None of the required 39 credit hours may be taken on a pass/fail basis. Only courses completed with a grade of C (2.0) or above may be counted toward the major.

At least 15 upper-division hours of the student’s work in writing must be taken from the downtown Denver campus English faculty.

Students planning to major in writing must consult with an advisor as soon as possible.

Course Requirements: 39 credit hours

Students may elect to take more than 39 credit hours, however no more than 48 credit hours can be applied to the major.

I. Required Courses (21 credit hours = 7 courses)

ENGL 2070. Grammar, Rhetoric, and Style — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 2154. Introduction to Creative Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3084. Advanced Composition — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3154. Technical Writing
—or—
ENGL 3170. Business Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3160. Language Theory
—or—
ENGL 4080. History of English Language — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4180. Argumentation and Logic — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4190. Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing — 3 credit hrs

II. Advanced Course Work (15 credit hours = 5 courses at the 3000/4000 level)

Students pursuing a general writing degree may choose from all writing courses listed. Students pursuing a concentration in professional writing or teaching English as a second language must complete at least 9 credit hours in their area.

A. Professional Writing concentration (choose at least three courses):

ENGL 3154. Technical Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3170. Business Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3416. Magazine Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3939. Internship — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4190. Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing* — 3 credit hrs
(professional writing topic)
ENGL 4280. Proposal and Grant Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4701. Multimedia in the Community — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4995. Senior Writing Project — 3 credit hrs
*Repeatable when title/content differ.

B. Teaching English as a Second Language concentration (choose at least three courses):

ENGL 3160. Language Theory — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4601. Principles and Practices of Adult Second
Language Acquisition — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3939. Internship*
—or—
ENGL 4190. Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing*
—or—
ENGL 4995. Senior Writing Project* — 3 credit hrs

*TESOL topics only

C. General Writing Courses

ENGL 3020. Poetry Workshop — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3050. Fiction Workshop — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3415. Screenwriting Workshop (may repeat once) — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 3939. Internship — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4025. Advanced Poetry Workshop — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4055. Advanced Fiction Workshop — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4190. Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4800-4805. Special Topics in Creative Writing* — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4990. Senior Writing Project in Creative
Writing or Film Studies — 3 credit hrs
ENGL 4995. Senior Writing Project — 3 credit hrs

*Repeatable when title/content differ.

D. Electives (3000/4000 level)

Students may opt to replace two of the five required "Advanced Coursework" (3000/4000 level) courses with other English courses (writing, literature, film, creative writing and/or approved writing courses from other departments).

III. Senior Seminar in Writing (1 course)

ENGL 4991. Senior Seminar in Writing — 3 credit hrs