English & Literature
Open a book of endless possibilities with an Associate of Arts Transfer degree in English.
The heart of a liberal arts education, the study of rhetoric, composition, literature and language cultivates the critical awareness, communication, empathy, initiative, and creativity that we all need to thrive.
Earning your AA in English will allow you to explore and refine these skills, preparing you to be a valued, creative contributor in any career, or help you transfer to a 4-year university to continue your education.
Unlock your mind and discover new ways of seeing our world with an Associate of Arts in English.
What You'll Learn
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has approved ACC’s English Transfer AA for the following Career Readiness Competencies:
Critical Thinking
Better understand your own humanity and the situational context in which all stories exist, including developing your ability to analyze the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which all stories and writing exist.
Equity and Inclusion
Develop your awareness of issues impacting equity and inclusion in the literature of peoples from around the world. Consider how stories from underrepresented communities speak to the world of today, and how the stories we tell can promote a more equitable and inclusive culture.
Communication
Uncover the inherent human connection in the stories and how to articulate these insights in your own writing with accurately and ethically through various styles of attribution and formatting.
CIP 230101 (DENG)
The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at public four-year colleges and universities as designated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) transfer agreement.
For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- ENG 1022 - English Composition II: GT-CO2 3 Credits and
- GT - One GT Pathways Mathematics course (GT-MA1), prefer MAT 1240 Mathematics for the Liberal Arts
- GT - Three GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (Note: GT-AH2 Literature courses will not be accepted to fulfill this requirement)
- GT - One GT Pathways History course (GT-H1)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2). One must be with laboratory (GT-SC1)
Literature Courses (15 credit hours)
- GT - Choose five (5) Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Courses Arts and Humanities LITERATURE (LIT) courses within the GT-AH2 category. At least 4 of the 5 LIT courses must be at the 2000-level. Please consult your receiving institution regarding best choices for Literature courses.
Communications Courses (3 credit hours)
- COM 1150 - Public Speaking 3 Credits OR
- COM 1250 - Interpersonal Communication:GT-SS3 3 Credits OR
- COM 2250 - Organizational Communication 3 Credits
Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.
- Any Guaranteed Transfer course.
- Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics, Independent Study, Capstone, and Internships:
ANT, ART, BIO (1000 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY (1105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
- ENG 1031 - Technical Writing I: GT-CO1 3 Credits (OR higher ENG)
- HWE 1061 - Fitness and Wellness 2 Credits
- MAT 1240 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts: GT-MA1 4 Credits (OR higher MAT course)
- ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 1011 or higher
Any additional courses taken in the discipline covered by this agreement might not count toward the requirements of the major at the receiving institution.
All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
CIP 231302 (OACW)
This program is designed to transfer exclusively to Adam State University's BA in Creative Writing.
The program nurtures beginning and experienced writers with a comprehensive program of creative writing and literature courses. Students are the opportunity to explore multiple genres in creative writing and sharpen critical thinking and analytical skills through the study of past and contemporary literary masters.
Career paths for Creative Writing graduates include authorship, journalism, public relations writing, and self-publication.
A full time student can complete this Associate of Arts (AA) degree in two years. This degree prepares students to transfer to a four-year university to complete the second half of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing.
To be successful, students should have a foundation in writing, a passion for storytelling, and an interest in publishing your creative work.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- GT Pathways Arts & Humanities must be from two different GT Categories: (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, or GT-AH4) 6 Credits
- GT Pathways History course (GT-HI1) 3 Credits
- GT Pathways Social & Behavioral Sciences Categories (GT-SS1, GT-SS2 or GT-SS3) 6 Credits
- GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science Categories: SC1-SC2 (3 credits)
- GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science with Lab Category: SC1 (4 credits)
- GT Pathways Arts & Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, or GT-AH4), OR Social & Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2 or GT-SS3), OR History (GT HI1) 3 Credits
Choose from the following:
Choose two from the following:
All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation
CIP 090401 (DJOU)
The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at any public four-year college and university (hereafter referred to as receiving institutions) that offers that program within the minimum number of credits designated by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- ENG 1021 and ENG 1022 OR
- ENG 1022 and a GT Pathways GT-CO3 course
- Any GT Pathways GT-MA1 course (MAT 1240 Math for Liberal Arts preferred)
- Two GT Pathways Arts & Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, or GT-AH4)
- One GT Pathways History course GT-HI1
- Two GT Pathways Social & Behavioral Sciences courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2 or GT-SS3)
- Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Sciences courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2). One of these courses must have the required laboratory (GT-SC1).
Please Note: If these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Plus choose any one of the following (3 Credits):
Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60. (See section on limitations regarding any additional courses taken in the major. Students should consider using their free electives to explore an additional area of focus.)
- Any Guaranteed Transfer course.
- Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics (2075) and Independent Study (2085): ANT, ART, BIO (1000 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHY (1105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
- HWE 1061 - Fitness and Wellness 2 Credits
ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 1011 OR higher
All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.
Job Opportunities in English and Literature
Why Get Your Degree in English?
There are many reasons to get your English Transfer AA degree, such as:
- Transfer options: we’ve got guaranteed transfer courses and your AA can transfer to any public Colorado university. Check out your transfer options.
- Faculty: we’ll teach you to write for both the academic setting and "real world" job settings. We’re here it assess and monitor your progress to really sharpen those skills.
- Awards for Excellence in English: this ceremony honors students who excel in English, languages, literature, and humanities. Awards include Writers Studio Achievement Awards and Great Books certificates.
We have published writers, academic scholars, community leaders, and forward thinking faculty. Our alumni have gone on to become English teachers and even attended Law school. So many possibilities for these highly marketable skills!
Related Programs
If you are interested in a career in English or an English-related field, consider our other programs as well.
Creative Writing AA
Creative Writing AA
Tell important stories, create new worlds, entertain and evoke emotions while pursuing your passion for creativity with an Associate of Arts transfer degree in Creative Writing.
Journalism AA
Journalism AA
Our Journalism Associate of Arts Transfer Degree helps students develop real-world skills in the journalism field through instruction and cutting-edge multimedia equipment.
Meet Your Faculty
