School of Writing, Language, and Literature

Undergraduate

Dr. Paige Horst, Director

http://www.radford.edu/content/chbs/home/english.html

Undergraduate Program

English

The English major prepares students for continued study in advanced programs, for teaching, or for entry into various professions where critical and creative thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills are valued and in demand. Designed to afford students an integrated, comprehensive learning program, the English major teaches students the fundamental ways of organizing knowledge in the discipline of English Studies. The major also provides students with a core of knowledge and skills essential to career choices in either teaching, writing, publishing, editing, or work in business and industry that requires creative thinking and excellent communication skills.

The English major incorporates a writing-in-the-discipline (WD) instructional approach that integrates instruction in writing and the use of writing as a powerful learning tool into the whole curriculum, following a sequenced and coordinated plan. Students take three WD courses throughout the major: ENGL 300 (Introduction to English Studies), ENGL 420 (Literary Criticism), and ENGL 496 (Senior Seminar).

Foreign Languages and Literatures

Foreign language study teaches core skills rooted in the humanities that are transferable to myriad careers: critical thinking and careful close analysis of texts, research based on persuasive written & oral communication, and a cross-cultural and cross-historical understanding. Students who study a foreign language go on to outstanding employment and travel opportunities around the world.

A placement test is required to study any foreign language at Radford.

Before registering for an initial Foreign Language class at Radford University, please email schoolofwll@radford.edu for information on the placement test.

After completing their first Foreign Language class at Radford University, students may enroll themselves in a sequel class during the specified registration window. For help with registration issues for language classes, please contact the administrative assistant for the School or Writing, Language, and Literature by phone (831-5614) or email schoolofwll@radford.edu. You may also stop by the office in Hemphill Hall, Room 4110

Graduate

Dr. Paige Horst, Director
Dr. Sean Keck, Graduate Program Coordinator

Graduate Program

The graduate program in English, which leads to a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree, prepares students for teaching at the secondary and college levels; for further graduate study in pursuit of the doctoral degree; and for entry into various professions – e.g., technical writing and editing – where critical thinking, communication skills and writing are valued and employed.

Students may elect either the Literature option or the English Education option. Students who choose the Literature option have the opportunity to develop skills in literary scholarship and criticism through an intensive study of British and American literature. The program in literature emphasizes independent research – using both print and electronic sources – and the writing of scholarly papers based on a critical understanding of literature’s aesthetic and humanistic values and of its social, historical and cultural significance. The program also offers students the opportunity to take courses and to pursue interests in contemporary critical theory, creative writing, technical writing, linguistics, and composition rhetoric.

Students who choose English Education as an area of study may receive the M.S. degree with initial teacher licensure or add a master’s degree endorsement to an existing license. Initial teacher licensure is not available with the M.A. degree.

Completion of the Master of Arts or Master of Science degree normally requires three or four semesters for fulltime students

Admission Requirements

In accepting applicants for admission, the School of Writing, Language, and Literature requires a GPA of 2.75, two letters of recommendation, a sample of expository writing, and a resume.

Applicants are required to submit:

Transcripts from all colleges attended. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application. Official transcripts will be required prior to enrollment
Two letters of reference
Writing Sample
In addition to the standard graduate application materials, applicants for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship must also submit a supplemental essay about the teaching of writing (essay guidelines available under “Admissions Requirements”).
Resume

Programs

Degree

*Programs may have different REAL designations based on the concentration(s) selected. Click on the major for more details.

Academic Minor

To graduate with a minor, a student must have a 2.0 or higher GPA in all courses required for the minor, and should be officially registered for the minor at least one semester prior to graduation. Courses used to fulfill major or minor requirements cannot be used to fulfill concentrations or option requirements within Interdisciplinary Studies.

Master’s

A degree represents the academic level of a program and the general category into which it falls. For example: Master of Arts, Master of Science, etc. At Radford University, the term “Arts” in a graduate degree generally implies a language and thesis requirement. The minimum number of semester hours for a Radford University graduate degree is 30.

Certificate

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is generally a series of 15-18 hours of graduate level coursework related to a focused academic topic or competency area. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate may enhance the education of matriculated (degree seeking) students as well as provide continuing education to non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) students, generally in a specialized or emerging field.