Literature, Language and Writing Program Details
Literature, Language and Writing program overview.
Tuition and fees
To apply
Financial Aid Priority deadlines:
Spring: Dec. 1
Summer/Fall: May. 1
Comprehensive KU course catalog
KU grading and grades
KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
KU Core
Admissions Requirements
Minimum requirements:
1. Admission to the University of Kansas (Review University admission requirements and apply online.)
2. Official transcript from each college you have attended.
Curriculum and Requirements
Literature, Language & Writing Curriculum
There are 30 credit hours required for the major. This program’s requirements are flexible, allowing you to tailor your education to your interests. Students may complete up to two writing certificates along the way by taking courses that would also apply toward their bachelor’s degree. Please contact an academic success coach for more information.
Literature (4 courses)
At least 1 British Literature
At least 1 American Literature
At least 2 courses covering writings prior to 1900
Writing (3 courses)
Possible options include fiction writing, nonfiction writing, poetry writing and technical writing.
English Electives (3 courses)
See a current list of offered courses.
Capstone (1 course)
Complete one 500-level ENGL course.
Certificate Programs Curriculum
Each undergraduate certificate requires 12 hours of coursework at the junior/senior level. They can be completed in one to three semesters, and offer a light course load and flexible curriculum students can take at their own pace. Courses are offered onsite at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Select classes are available online and on the KU Lawrence Campus. Students may apply the courses they complete for these certificates towards the completion of a bachelor’s degree in Literature, Language & Writing.
Creative and Analytical Writing Certificate
Creative Writing (Select two)
Course | Credit Hr. | KU Code |
ENGL 351 Fiction Writing I | 3 | ENGL 351 |
ENGL 551 Fiction Writing II | 3 | ENGL 551 |
ENGL 352 Poetry Writing I | 3 | ENGL 352 |
ENGL 552 Poetry Writing II | 3 | ENGL 552 |
ENGL 355 Nonfiction Writing I | 3 | ENGL 355 |
ENGL 555 Nonfiction Writing II | 3 | ENGL 555 |
Writing About Ideas (Select two)
Course | Credit Hr. | KU Code |
ENGL 306 Global Environmental Literature | 3 | ENGL 306 |
ENGL 327 Studies in Twentieth-Century Drama:____ | 3 | ENGL 327 |
ENGL 332 Shakespeare | 3 | ENGL 332 |
ENGL 338 Introduction to African-American Literature | 3 | ENGL 338 |
ENGL 479 The Literature of _____ | 3 | ENGL 479 |
ENGL 590 Studies in______ | 3 | ENGL 590 |
HIST 353 Indigenous Peoples of North America | 3 | HIST 353 |
HIST 319 History, Women and Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | HIST 319 |
HIST 530 History of American Women—Colonial Times to 1870 | 3 | HIST 530 |
HIST 531 History of American Women—1870 to Present | 3 | HIST 531 |
Critical Thinking and Writing Certificate
Writing in the World (Select two)
Course | Credit Hr. | KU Code |
ENGL 360 Topics in Writing _____ | 3 | ENGL 360 |
ENGL 362 Foundations of Technical Writing | 3 | ENGL 362 |
ENGL 494 Research Internship | 3 | ENGL 494 |
ENGL 496 Internship | 4 | ENGL 496 |
ENGL 497 Service Learning Internship | 3 | ENGL 497 |
Writing About Ideas (Select two)
Course | Credit Hr. | KU Code |
ENGL 306 Global Environmental Literature | 3 | ENGL 306 |
ENGL 327 Studies in Twentieth-Century Drama:____ | 3 | ENGL 327 |
ENGL 332 Shakespeare | 3 | ENGL 332 |
ENGL 338 Introduction to African-American Literature | 3 | ENGL 338 |
ENGL 479 The Literature of _____ | 3 | ENGL 479 |
ENGL 590 Studies in______ | 3 | ENGL 590 |
HIST 353 Indigenous Peoples of North America | 3 | HIST 353 |
HIST 319 History, Women and Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | HIST 319 |
HIST 530 History of American Women—Colonial Times to 1870 | 3 | HIST 530 |
HIST 531 History of American Women—1870 to Present | 3 | HIST 531 |
The KU Edwards Campus also offers an English minor. Visit our minors page to learn more.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Quantitative Reasoning (3 hours)
This course must be approved for Goal 1, Learning Outcome 2 of the KU Core AND must be offered by a department within the College of Liberal Arts and Science. This requirement is in addition to the KU Core Goal 1, Learning Outcome 2 for quantitative literacy required by the KU Core.
Laboratory or Field Experience (Variable hours)
This course must be an academic-credit bearing laboratory or field experience.
Writing (6 hours)
Students must complete six credit hours (two courses) of collegiate writing-level instruction.
Non-English Language Proficiency
Students must demonstrate fourth-semester proficiency in a single non-English language, or third-semester proficiency in a first non-English language and first-semester proficiency in a second non-English language.
Bachelor of General Studies Requirements
BGS requirements include completion of a secondary field of study (a second major or minor) or completion of two certificates, and the completion of an approved career preparation course (3 hours).
Prerequisites
Twenty-seven of the 30 credit hours required for the major must come from upper-level (300+) courses, which are offered at the KU Edwards Campus. Students may apply a 200-level English course to the total credit hours needed, which students are recommended to complete prior to program admission. Completion of Composition I and II is also recommended prior to transfer.
Graduation Requirements
• 120-credit-hour minimum
• 45 must be junior/senior-level, with at least 30 junior/senior-level in residence at KU
• 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior (300+) courses in the major and a 2.0 KU GPA in all KU course work.
Transfer Credit
• A maximum of 64 hours from community or junior colleges count toward minimum cumulative total hours (120). Learn more at Admissions.
• Only transfer grades of C or higher count toward KU degree requirements.