Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The four-year English major results in an Hon. BA. degree in English.
TMU's English program offers a 20-course English specialization, with 9 required English courses and 11 elective English courses, as well as 3 Faculty of Arts required skills courses.
Required courses for students admitted F2020 or later:
1st year
ENG 110 Intro to Literatures Across Borders; and ENG 208 Intro to Non-Fiction; SSH 105 Critical Thinking; SSH 205 Academic Writing and Research; and 2 Humanities and 2 Social Science courses.
2nd year
ENG 810 Approaches to English Research; 1 Literature and Culture course; a specialized Practicum course and SSH 301 Research Design and Qualitative Methods
3rd year
ENG 400 Literary and Cultural Theory; and 1 Literature and Culture course; 1 World Views and Experiences course
4th year
ENG 910 English Capstone Seminar
11 English Core electives are selected from Table II in a variety of thematic groupings
Open Electives: min. 7 courses (many of these courses can contribute to a Minor)
Liberal Studies Electives: 6 courses, 2 selected from Table A (Lower Level Liberal Studies); 4 selected from Table B (Upper Level Liberal Studies). These are general interest courses and students are restricted from taking English courses.
The practicum courses, which offer smaller-group opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning within Toronto's vibrant urban community, are the backbone of our program. Every English student chooses a practicum course in 2nd year from a range of areas of applied literary knowledge such as creative writing in both poetry and fiction; making digital work; making little magazines; writing in the arts; grammar for editors; and open topics. There is also an Independent Research Project elective available in 4th year.
The BA English program is a part of the Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education program. This competitive opportunity allows students who pass the admission process to complete three mandatory career-relevant paid employment experiences in various terms throughout their program for academic credit, and an optional fourth work term. Students must also complete an academic course prior to their first work term, which will provide a foundational understanding of the labour market context while also facilitating the development of skills related to job searches and successful employment. Students apply in the summer between first and second year to join the co-op option in their second year of study.
While we do not offer internships or placements other than co-op, we have designed our practicum courses and practical assignments to offer students a variety of real world contacts and experiences with expert guidance. Many extra-curricular experiential learning opportunities are available: for example, providing research assistance in faculty projects; contributing to the annual production of the White Wall Review, TMU's Journal of Art and Literature; and participating in activities at the Centre for Digital Humanities and our Children's Literature Archive, among other possibilities.
Students who wish to pursue an internship independently may do so for credit in the ENG 960 Internship course.
TMU's English BA is also unique in that it has a Program Advisory Council of working professionals who can advise about career opportunities in diverse fields, including publishing, digital media, libraries and archives, films, and event planning.
International exchange opportunities at a variety of partner universities around the world are available in 3rd year; usually, students go on exchange in winter semester. Applications for study abroad opportunities are due in January of your second year. You pay the usual TMU tuition fees, but are responsible for your travel and accommodation.
Double majors with English are available in English-History and English-Philosophy. The Faculty of Arts has several other double major options available outside of the English program.
Generally speaking, a Minor is made up of a concentration of 6 courses in a secondary field of study. Check out the courses available in Table I, Open Electives plus any Liberal Studies courses against the courses required in the Minors listed in the Calendar. See the Program Administrator, opens in new window for more information.
The English Course Union plans a number of activities throughout the year to build community among BA English students. Elections for the executive occur each spring. You can connect with them, join their Facebook page, and keep an eye out for any events planned by them. You can also attend Departmental events for both undergraduate and graduate students that include guest speakers, brown bag lunch talks about their research by professors, symposia and other events.
Yes. After you achieve your BA English, you're eligible to apply to a Faculty of Education. The English degree is all that's required for the Primary-Junior and Junior-Intermediate teaching streams. If you wish to teach high school, you'll need a "second teachable subject" besides English (for example, History or Business), which you can attain through your non-English elective choices. Our Program Director and Career Counsellor can help you ensure you have the required English courses as well as the necessary credits (6) for a second teachable subject. You should also check out the Ontario College of Teachers site, external link for more information.
Your BA English degree enables you to pursue post-graduate studies in English, including our own MA in Literatures of Modernity. You may also apply to TMU's interdisciplinary Communication and Culture program, or to graduate studies in other fields, including education, gender and global issues, law, library science, and print and media. You should speak to the Academic Advisor to be sure you have the requisite courses and CGPA for graduate school. You should also be aware that American schools usually require that you sit a GMAT exam, and law schools generally ask that you to take the LSAT exam.
- An English degree gives you the skills you need in today's knowledge economy: employers are looking for creative, analytical thinkers with effective communication and research skills and wide-ranging cultural knowledge.
- Career opportunities include writing, editing, and publishing; business; public relations; advertising; cultural advocacy; government; media; creative industries; and teaching.
For further questions about the BA program, contact Dr. Dale Smith, Undergraduate Program Director.