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This minor may only be completed by students admitted to Elementary Education options leading to certification in K-9 or Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence. A minor is not required to complete the K-9 certification program, but students may elect to complete one.

Minors provide a depth of study in a particular area of interest and also inform classroom instruction. The completion of a minor is required to teach middle school in some states and may benefit students particularly interested in teaching at this level.

The Department of English is housed in the College of Letters & Science. Students may wish to consult with an undergraduate advisor in English to discuss course selection and other issues related to this field of study.

Upon completion, the subject area of the minor will be posted on the UW-Madison transcript. Students will not receive an additional certification or license in the subject area as was possible prior to fall, 2022 program admission.  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not offer content licenses in association with the K-9 educator license.

This minor may only be declared by students completing Elementary Education certification in either K-9 or Middle-Childhood-through-Early-Adolescence. The declaration form is located on the School of Education's Undergraduate Admissions page and can be submitted any time after admission into the program.

The English minor requires the completion of 24–30 credits to include the coursework listed below. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 is required, based on all UW–Madison coursework included in the minor.

Note: Six credits of introductory literature must be completed prior to enrolling in coursework required for the English minor. Courses with an Literature breadth designation from many departments—e.g., Comparative Literature, Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Studies, African Languages and Literature, or Theatre and Drama—may be selected to meet this requirement. Students are encouraged to explore these options, although introductory English department coursework may also be used in this capacity.

Required Courses
Complete the following:
ENGL 241 Literature and Culture I: to the 18th Century3
ENGL 242 Literature and Culture II: from the 18th Century to the Present3
ENGL 314 Structure of English (students are encouraged to take this course as early as possible)3
Children's or Young Adult Literature chosen in consulatation with advisor3
Shakespeare
Select one of the following:3
Shakespearean Drama
Shakespearean Drama
Early Works of Shakespeare
Later Works of Shakespeare
Elective
Select one English department elective numbered 204 and above, except for ENGL 207 and ENGL 236 1
Ethnic Literature
Select one 3-credit intermediate or advanced ethnic literature course 2
Applied English Linguistics
Select one of the following (listed in order of preference):3
English Grammar in Use
History of the English Language
English Language Variation in the U.S.
English in Society
Global Spread of English
Composition for English Teachers
Composition & Rhetoric In and Beyond the University
Or, select a course in consultation with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office.
Additional Credits
If necessary, select additional coursework to reach the minimum of 24 credits. Introductory literature may be used.
1

Students considering a Letters & Science English major should select a pre–1800, non-Shakespeare literature course.

2

Search for Intermediate/Advanced–level courses that are designated as both Literature and Ethnic Studies courses in the enrollment application.