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English - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
ENG Elective4BA Science/Social Science3-4ENG Elective4
  General Elective3General Elective3
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits14-17Total Spring Credits15-17

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
BA Science/Social Science3-4BA Science/Math3-4BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4
ENG Elective4General Elective4ENG 3004
Total Fall Credits14-17Total Winter Credits14-17Total Spring Credits13-17

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
WR 3014English Historical Literacy Course4ENG 326, 327 or 4284
Upper Division ENG/WR Elective4Upper Division ENG/WR Elective4Upper Division ENG/WR Elective4
General Elective1Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4400 level ENG or WR Elective4
Total Fall Credits13Total Winter Credits15-16Total Spring Credits16

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6400 level ENG/WR Elective4Upper Division ENG/WR Elective4
English Historical Literacy Course4General Elective4General Elective4
400 level ENG/WR Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
  General Elective4  
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits12

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • ENG Elective: 12 credits of 200 level ENG courses are expected preparation for all upper division English courses. Students are strongly recommended to take 200-level ENG courses for their first three English electives.
  • General Elective: Strongly recommended using electives slots to complete minor requirements.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • ENG 300: Prerequisite for any 400 level ENG course.
  • WR 301: Prerequisite to enroll in or can be taken concurrently with 400 level ENG course.
  • English Historical Literacy Course: See department website for list of Historical Literacy courses.
  • Upper Division ENG/WR Elective: WR 411 Internship recommended.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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