BA/BS English at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

The English major covers literary works and cultural productions from past and present eras, with foundations in literary criticism and American and British literature. Creative Writing, Professional Writing and Secondary Teaching options are available, and an accelerated B.S. or B.A. to M.A. in English: Literature lets students start the master's after 90 undergraduate credit hours.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Department: Department of English | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

Literary criticism, American and British literature, and electives such as African American literature, the graphic novel, Shakespeare and 19th-century women writers.

Career pathways

Graduates work in publishing, advertising, education and the non-profit sector, or continue to medical school, law school or graduate study in English.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide first-year undergraduate admission (applies to bachelor's applicants): meet one of a high school GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale, rank in the upper 50% of the graduating class, ACT composite of 21 or higher (SAT 1070), or a score of 3 or higher on the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments. A test score is not required for review. Core coursework completed with a C average or better: 4 years English (or ACT English 21+, or AP English 3+), 3 years advanced mathematics (or ACT Math 23+, or AP Calculus 3+), 3 years laboratory science (or ACT Science Reasoning 20+, or AP Science 3+), 3 years social science (or ACT Social Studies/Reading 20+, or AP Social Studies 3+), and 1 year fine arts for South Dakota high school graduates (or AP Fine Arts 3+). Application via the USD Undergraduate Application or the Common App with official high school transcripts.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

International undergraduate applicants: application deadline December 15 for Spring 2027 and August 1 for Fall 2027. Apply through the USD Undergraduate Application or the Common App; the application fee is non-refundable and paid online by credit card.

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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