Undergraduate Program

English as an Area of Study

The study of English gives students familiarity knowledge of language and literature, including familiarity with the literature that helped define past eras. Studying English also helps students develop their ability to read perceptively, think critically, analyze problems, and write persuasively. For these reasons, a major in English has traditionally been viewed as good training for careers in law, government, business, and publishing, as well as for careers in teaching and writing. The department has compiled some sources of Career information and suggestions.

Our Faculty

Upper division classes, many survey level classes, and Honors sections are taught by our graduate faculty, all of whom are published scholars in their areas of expertise. Highly qualified, experienced instructors teach some survey literature classes. Our small class sizes (generally 30 or below) give students the maximum opportunity for individual interaction with their professors.

The Bachelor of Arts in English

The College of Arts and Sciences requires 124 semester hours for the B.A. degree. English majors are required to take thirty-nine hours (thirteen three-hour courses) of English, including six hours of English literature surveys, six hours of American literature survey, and four hours of advanced composition, in addition to six hours of advanced courses in British literature, six hours of advanced courses in American literature, and nine hours of electives in English (three of which must be at the advanced level).

These documents will help a student plan a rewarding and efficient course of study:

Certification in the Teaching of ESL

Students at either the undergraduate or graduate level can take a block of courses leading to a certificate in the teaching of English as a second language. Consult the department's TESOL certificate program requirements.

Teacher Certification

Students who are certain they want to teach English in the public school system after they graduate from Mississippi State usually major in Education. However, if public school teaching is just one career a student is considering, and/or if a student has a strong preference for majoring in English, there are methods for completing an English major and also becoming certified to teach in the public schools. Students seeking to meet both these goals should consult with advisors in both the English Department and the College of Education.

Creative Writing

The English Department offers creative writing courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. The Creative Writing faculty include a number of successful poets and fiction writers who are also enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers.

Course Offerings

Course descriptions of all classes offered by the English Department, as taken from the Mississippi State catalog.
Current class schedules.
Detailed descriptions of selected advanced undergraduate courses, as prepared by the professors offering the classes.

Program Goals (Departmental Document)

This document provides an overview of the departmental goals regarding the education of undergraduate students.

Current faculty

Students seeking to enroll at Mississippi State should contact MSU Admissions.

Current Mississippi State students wishing to major in English should contact Dr. Thomas Anderson or the English Departmental office in Room 316, Lee Hall.

In addition to financial aid opportunities offered by the University, the English Department offers a number of undergraduate awards and scholarships.

Students just thinking about the field of English might enjoy a glance at these pages:

	Undergraduate Program	English Department P.O. Box E Mississippi State, MS 39762 (662) 325-3644
		Dr. Thomas Anderson, Director Advising location: Lee Hall Rooms 317 C & D