The University of Texas at Dallas
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Bachelor of Arts in Literature

BA in Literature Program Overview

By pursuing a major in literature at The University of Texas at Dallas, you will develop the ability to think and write critically across various disciplines. You will explore a diverse range of literatures from different periods and cultures, including works in translation. Our literature students gain a comprehensive understanding that prepares them for careers in teaching, publishing, and business. Many of our graduates further their education with advanced degrees in law, business, journalism, and the fine arts.

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Career Paths with a Degree in Literature

With a solid foundation in critical writing, speaking and thinking, along with opportunities for research, study abroad and internships, you’ll be well-prepared for diverse career paths.

Literature Careers

Account executive, advertising professional, attorney, author, communications consultant, content manager, copywriter, critic, editor, educator, grant writer, human resources professional, journalist, lawyer, librarian, marketing professional, paralegal, proofreader, public relations manager, publisher, social media manager, teacher, translator, tutor, writer

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Undergraduate Literature Program Options

Teacher Certification

Students interested in teaching in secondary schools can achieve Texas Teacher Certification in English and/or History and/or composite Social Studies as part of their majors in either Literature or History. Immediately after being admitted to the University, interested students should meet with an advisor in the Teacher Development Center to receive a certification plan and with a Bass School advisor in Literature or History to receive a degree plan. Further details are listed in the Teacher Certification section of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Fast Track

The Fast Track program is designed to permit exceptional undergraduate students in Arts, Humanities, and Technology majors to begin work on the master’s degree before graduation.

Qualified seniors may take up to 12 semester credit hours of approved graduate courses in the Bass School during their senior year and apply these semester credit hours to their undergraduate degree plans as either major and related courses or electives. The Fast Track courses also will be used to satisfy up to 12 graduate semester credit hours towards the master’s degree.

Minors

Related Minors

Minor in Creative Writing

Minor in Literature

Minor in Spanish

To minor in the Arts, Humanities, and Technology, students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor, 9 of which must be upper-division semester credit hours. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Core courses offered by the school may count as lower-division semester credit hours toward the minor. Students may choose to minor in any of the following fields of study:

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Undergraduate Literature Courses

Beyond sharpening reading and writing skills, literature courses can help you approach an English-language text from anywhere in the world with a set of intelligent questions and the capacity to produce equally intelligent answers to interpretative problems.

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Student Organizations

Get real-world experience and leadership opportunities by joining campus clubs, societies and publications including Reunion: The Dallas Review.

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Literature News

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Literature Faculty

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Upcoming Literature Events

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Whether you’d like to visit, apply, or need more information, we are ready to help you make a decision that could change your life.