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English, BA

English Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of English program at the University of Central Missouri starts as a blank page, with you as the author. Whether you’re eager to analyze the world’s best literary works or to write your own story, you can do it while pursuing your bachelor’s in English degree at UCM.

Choose the track for your degree in English

What can you do with an English degree from UCM? Select the focus that sparks your creativity and create a Bachelor of English degree program that fits your interests:

  • Literature track: Study a wide array of written works from different time periods, cultures and perspectives.
  • Creative Writing track: Write alongside UCM’s accomplished educators and award-winning authors.

Either path will improve your ability to express yourself, share ideas and communicate clearly. Regardless of the track you choose, a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Central Missouri prepares you for a fulfilling career in any field.

Earn a bachelor’s in English your way

UCM’s English program offers more flexibility than traditional bachelor’s degrees. During our undergraduate program, you only need to take a few courses on site at our Warrensburg campus. For the rest of the program, you’ll be able to choose from a mix of in-person, online or hybrid classes. Our online offerings are 100% asynchronous, so you can learn from UCM professors on your own schedule.


Contact

Dr. Benjamin Johnson
Professor of English
Martin 336F
Warrensburg, MO
Tel: 660-543-4217
bgjohnson@ucmo.edu

College of Art, Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English


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College Factual Badge

2022 Best College in the Region

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Pleiades Visiting Writers Series

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Internships with respected publications

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20:1 program student-faculty ratio

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Network with program alumni

What you will study

English undergraduates at the University of Central Missouri complete intensive work in writing and research — two important skills for the 21st century.

  • Literature majors gain broad exposure to the history of English literature and share their analyses with each other. You’ll read everything from medieval romances to modern dystopias — from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Langston Hughes’ Harlem and from Jane Austen’s England to Toni Morrison’s America.
  • Creative Writing majors practice storytelling in various forms. Try out different genres of self-expression and cultivate your unique voice. Develop your craft as a future published novelist, poet or other type of writer. Take our Practicum in Editing and Publishing for an exciting introduction to the world of literary editing.

With either track, you’ll further develop your ability to interpret scholarly concepts and compose with clarity, originality and accuracy. You can also add electives to your undergraduate program that are most intriguing to you, such as: 

  • Modern American Fiction
  • Women Writers of the United States 
  • African-American Literature
  • Wits and Satirists: 1660–1800
  • Writing Fiction for Publication

 

Excellence in English

  • A Best Value Bachelor’s Degree College for General English Literature (College Factual, 2022)

 

Unique learning opportunities in English

What can you do with an English degree beyond the books? Our undergraduate program includes many chances for you to join your peers outside the classroom. Participate in hands-on learning opportunities where you can apply your knowledge of English studies.

  • Internships: Gain valuable experiences with critically acclaimed journals and magazines as you learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry.
  • On-campus publications: Contribute your creative talents to Arcade, an annual publication developed by UCM undergraduates. You can also join Pleiades, a nationally recognized literary journal produced on our Warrensburg campus.
  • Student organizations: Get involved with UCM’s chapter of the national English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta. Attend fun events, including readings, game nights, study breaks and more with other English majors and literature enthusiasts. Join the Creative Writing Club and support original work by fellow students.
  • Campus events: Meet returning alumni who use their Bachelor of English degrees in a variety of fields. Dine with acclaimed authors through the Pleiades Visiting Writers Series. Network with winners from the National Book Foundation.

 

What can you do with an English degree from UCM?

A BA in English is an asset for any career that you might pursue — from business to teaching. Graduates from the University of Central Missouri thrive in a wide range of fulfilling jobs. Our English alumni currently hold jobs in advertising, publishing, law, public relations, entertainment and many other fields.

UCM’s bachelor’s degree in English can also pave your path to academia. Half of our alumni continue to graduate school, and many have been accepted into competitive MFA programs in Creative Writing. Other alumni hold teaching assistantships in graduate programs and have earned admission into PhD programs at prestigious universities.

Options and opportunities with an English BA

What can you do with an English degree to turn your passion for reading and writing into a career? Whether your goals are to teach, get published or otherwise set yourself up for future success, the University of Central Missouri can help. With a Bachelor of English degree, the opportunities are seemingly endless. Explore your diverse options below.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your English degree

Many resources are available to help you finance your college education. For example, several scholarships are offered exclusively for students working toward UCM’s Bachelor of English degree:

  • Elbert and Elizabeth T. Barnes Scholarship
  • Hazel D. Book Memorial Scholarship
  • Joyce Kinkead Scholarship
  • Charles Frances Martin and Maude Williams Martin Memorial Scholarship in English
  • Mary Ruth Scott Scholarship in English
  • G.B. Crump Scholarship in English

You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.

 

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Take your degree further.

Your BA is just the preface to your career in English. UCM offers many ways to expand your expertise with graduate programs, including:

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Make yourself more marketable.

While pursuing your bachelor’s degree in English at UCM, you can complete extra courses to obtain a dual degree in Education. As another option, you could complete a specialty certificate in writing or add a minor with a secondary focus:

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Explore programs related to English.

If you’re interested in other UCM programs that can develop your expertise in English, check out these alternative majors:

 

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