This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program goals
The Department of English’s graduate certificate program provides students with the necessary skills, knowledge and accreditation to teach dual enrollment and baccalaureate courses in English literature in Virginia colleges and universities. The program is designed for students who already hold an M.A. degree or who are currently pursuing an M.A. degree. Students will learn how to develop advanced analyses of literary works in relation to genre, historical and cultural contexts and literary theories. All courses will be held online.
Student learning outcomes
- Students will be able to explain the historical and cultural significance of literature written primarily in English.
- Students will be able to explain the different methods and theories literary scholars have developed to analyze literary texts.
- Students will be able to explain key topics of focus in English literary studies (such as race and ethnicity, the environment, and literature), literary genres, and literary movements and periods.
- Students will produce advanced analyses of literary works in relation to genre and historical and cultural contexts.
- Graduates of the certificate program will secure the necessary skills, knowledge and accreditation to teach dual enrollment and baccalaureate courses in English literature.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | All | Rolling admissions |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- A graduate transcript
Degree requirements
Students will take two required courses and four elective courses for a total of 18 credit hours. Requirements are outlined below.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| ENGL 620 | Intertextuality | 3 |
| ENGL 624 | Texts and Contexts | 3 |
| Restricted electives | ||
| Select courses from the following list. | 12 | |
| Children's Literature II | ||
| Studies in British Literature and Culture | ||
| Special Topics in American Literature and Culture | ||
| Young Adult Literature | ||
| Introduction to Scholarship in English Studies | ||
| Literary Criticism | ||
| Authors | ||
| Cultural Discourses | ||
| Genres | ||
| Form and Theory of Genre: ____ | ||
| Form and Theory of Fiction | ||
| Form and Theory of Creative Nonfiction | ||
| Community Writing | ||
| Themes in Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Creative Writing: ____ | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this certificate is 18.