English — Creative Writing Emphasis, BA, with Teaching Endorsement Option

Department of English, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

75 credits (58 additional credits for teacher certification)

Introduction

English is one of the central liberal arts degrees. A background in English provides graduates with a sound basis for pursuing a variety of careers, including law, business, education, publishing and government, as well as graduate work in creative writing, language, literary and cultural studies, and critical writing. English engages students in diverse literary heritages as well as fosters the development of sophisticated abilities in critical analysis, creative inquiry, reflective reading, and effective communication and expression.

Why Consider a Creative Writing Emphasis with Teaching Endorsement Option in the English Major?

The English – Creative Writing Emphasis with a Teaching Endorsement Option focuses on writing courses: creative writing in fiction, drama, poetry, or nonfiction prose and includes coursework in literature, language and pedagogy to supplement the creative writing courses. Introductory and advanced creative writing genre courses form the core of the major, giving students an opportunity to develop their craft and aesthetics through intensive writing, reading, and workshops. Students must take courses in at least two different genres. Aside from the core courses, this major requires courses in literature, linguistics, and pedagogy to meet state secondary English language arts endorsement requirements.

The English – Creative Writing Emphasis with Teaching Endorsement Option major leads to a baccalaureate degree without teacher certification. To receive a recommendation for state of Washington teacher certification with an English Language Arts endorsement, students must complete courses within the English – Creative Writing Emphasis with Teaching Endorsement major as specified herein and the teacher certification program offered by the Department of Secondary Education as one of the following:

• A part of the undergraduate baccalaureate degree
• A post-baccalaureate program
• A part of the Master in Teaching program

See the Secondary Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements. Regulations for teaching endorsement are subject to change. Contact the English Education advisor.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Schedule an online appointment with the English Department’s Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Elle Starr, to declare this major. You can visit chss.wwu.edu/english-department/advising to schedule your meeting. The prerequisites for declaring the major are 60 credits completed and ENG 202.

Though the English Department cannot guarantee immediate enrollment in the major or access to any specific class, we matriculate students into the major on a rolling basis as space is available and we offer a wide variety of topics each term.

Advising Tips: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an English Education Advisor, Steven VanderStaay, early in their careers at Western. Students should declare their major by the start of their junior year.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.