Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Arts: English

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts (Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway))
Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College
Program description

The Department of English teaches students to see their worlds with clarity and respond to them with sensitivity, through reading, writing, and critical thinking. Students gain the knowledge and skills to participate actively and conscientiously in the twenty-first-century global culture and the professional workplace. The Department fosters the deep reading of the traditional Anglophone canon as well as the literatures of diverse cultures and under-represented voices, it cultivates an appreciation of their aesthetic features and social functions, and it studies the crafts of creative and professional writing. By engaging in multiple media, learning a wide variety of rhetorical practices, and writing and editing academic and creative texts, students gain skills in critical and creative thinking increasingly recognized as essential by employers. They are prepared to participate in their historical and cultural moment, to speak with authority about the literatures of the past and present, and to produce substantial creative and professional communication of their own. Students have the option to pursue minors in creative writing or professional writing and editing. They also have the opportunity for meaningful experiential learning, whether through internships, independent studies, or pursuit of the department’s Distinguished Majors program.

Career opportunities

A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers lists written communication skills as the single most desirable attribute any employer seeks. Similarly, Google’s Project Oxygen revealed the seven top characteristics of success at Google are all soft skills cultivated by humanities degrees including communicating and listening well, possessing insights into others, particularly those with different values and points of view, and being able to make connections across complex ideas. An undergraduate degree in English provides exactly those skills. Additionally, a degree in English is good preparation for graduate study in English, as well as other areas such as, law, education, public administration, or business. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are imperative for most careers related to non-profits, education, law and business. Gain experience in fundraising and grant writing techniques. Nonprofit and educational organizations are often funded in this manner. Part-time and summer jobs, internships, and volunteer positions are critical to gaining the experience and skills that employers seek.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Editor
  • Fundraiser  
  • High School Teacher
  • Human Resource Specialist
  • Library Technician
  • Proof Readers and Copy Markers
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Reporters and Correspondents
  • Research Assistant
  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Staff and Legislative Assistant
  • Technical Writer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Advertising Executive
  • Attorney
  • College Professor or Administrator
  • Copywriter
  • Director of Communications
  • Public Policy Specialist
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 131
Science required
  • Core only
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Arts: English

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your ENG and MTH classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 in your first year.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Apply to the Reynolds Pathways Program.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Attend cultural events at community college or in your community and celebrate diversity.
  • Browse careers related to English through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
Experience Year 2
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Attend a VCU English Department Course Fair to become familiar with upcoming course offerings, syllabi, and professors.
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a current issue through ConnectVA or HandsOnRVA.
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU English Department and consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students in English to make professional and personal connections.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or English-related events.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Find out about VCU REAL.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships or job experiences before your senior year of college. The English department offers three internship options.
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your ENG and MTH classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 in your first year.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Apply to the Reynolds Pathways Program.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Attend cultural events at community college or in your community and celebrate diversity.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to English through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Attend a VCU English Department Course Fair to become familiar with upcoming course offerings, syllabi, and professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a current issue through ConnectVA or HandsOnRVA.
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU English Department and consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students in English to make professional and personal connections.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or English-related events.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Find out about VCU REAL.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships or job experiences before your senior year of college. The English department offers three internship options.
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Arts: English

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts)

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
HIS ___ Western Civilization or World History (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 111, 112 HIST ___ 3 General education
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MATH 131 3 General education
HLT/PED Personal Wellness Elective VCU equivalent 1 Elective
Foreign Language Foreign Language (101-level) VCU equivalent 4 General education
ENG 112 College Composition  II UNIV 200 3 General education
HIS ___ U.S. History (select 1): HIS 121, 122 VCU equivalent 3 General education
MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 General education
ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts INFO 160, 161, 162 3 Elective
Foreign Language Foreign Language (102-level) VCU equivalent 4 General education
ENG Any 200-level ENG literature course (select 1): ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252 VCU equivalent 3 Major
Laboratory Science Select 1: BIO 101, 107, CHM 101, GOL 105, PHY 201 VCU equivalent 4 General education
Social/Behavioral Science Select 1: PLS 211, PSY 200, SOC 200, 210 VCU equivalent 3 General education
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Select 1: ART 101, 102, CST 151, HUM 100, MUS 121, PHI 101, 220, REL 231, 232 VCU equivalent 3 General education
Foreign Language Foreign Language (201-level) VCU equivalent 3 Major
ENG 200-level ENG literature course (select 1): ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252 ENGL 3 General education
Laboratory Science Laboratory Science (select 1): BIO 101, 102, 107, CHM 101, GOL 105, PHY 201 VCU equivalent 4 General education
Transfer elective Select an additional humanities/fine arts or social/behavioral elective. VCU equivalent 3 Elective
Foreign Language Foreign Language (202-level) VCU equivalent 3 Major
Reynolds credits transferred to VCU 60
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
ENGL 301 Introduction to the English Major 3 Major
ENGL 499 Senior Seminar in English 3 Major
ENGL Select one course from two of the following areas for a total of 6 credits: Linguistics, Writing, or Criticism (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
ENGL Literature prior to 1700 (select two courses from the approved list; see VCU advisor). 6 Major
ENGL Literature 1700-1945 (select two courses from the approved list; see VCU advisor). 6 Major
ENGL Literature of diversity (select one course from the approved list; see VCU advisor). 3 Major
ENGL Select 6 to 9 credits of ENGL electives (see VCU advisor). 6 to 9 Major
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major. Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. 12 Elective
Open electives. 15 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 60
Bachelor's degree total 120