Advising
On this page
Questions?
If you have registration or major declaration questions, please contact our English Undergraduate Program Coordinator & Advisor: Elle Starr
Phone: 360-650-6846
Email: Elle.Starr@wwu.edu
Advising FAQ
Remember to use your Western email and include your W# if you email staff or faculty. Please review our FAQ to determine your next steps.
How to Declare an English Major
Step 1: Determine which English Major you want to Declare
The English Department offers five English Majors. Learn more about your options on our Majors page.
Step 2: Complete the Major Prerequisites
The prerequisites for declaring an English major are:
1. 60 college credits completed
2. Satisfactory completion of English 202 - Writing About Literature or equivalent course
Step 3: Declare with an Advisor
When you're ready to declare an English major, please contact the English Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Elle Starr.

Undergraduate Advising: Office Hours
See when you can declare an English major below!
In person hours, HU 327:
Every Tues & Thurs: 10am - 12pm, no appointment required*
Tues 11/21: Extended office hours from 10am -12pm and 1pm - 4pm
(The English Department will be closed on Thurs 11/23.)
For other dates & times, please reach out to Elle Starr at elle.starr@wwu.edu.
Zoom advising:
Mon & Wed: 10am - 11:30am or 2pm - 3:30pm
& additional hours as needed. Book now on Calendly.
*The Humanities Building elevator is currently out of service for major repairs. For disability accommodations for in-person office hours, please email elle starr at elle.starr@wwu.edu
Major Advisors
Once you declare an English major, you are assigned to faculty advisor for major-specific questions, major evaluations, and advising. Please include your W# in your email when reaching out to an advisor.
English BA with Literature Emphasis: Please email Kathryn Vulić at Kathryn.Vulic@wwu.edu.
English BA with Creative Writing Emphasis:
Last Names (A-K): Please email Noam Dorr at Noam.Dorr@wwu.edu.
Last Names (L-Z): Please email Kiik Araki Kawaguchi at Arakikh@wwu.edu.
English BA with Literature or Creative Writing Emphasis with Teaching Endorsements:
Last Names (A-K): Please email Steven VanderStaay at Steven.Vanderstaay@wwu.edu.
Last Names (L-Z): Please email Anthony Celaya at Anthony.Celaya@wwu.edu.
How to Declare an English Minor
Step 1: Determine which English Minor you want to declare
The English Department offers five English Minors. Learn more about your options on our Minors page.
Step 2: Reach out to the correct advisor for your Minor program.
Minor Advisors
English and Creative Writing Minors: Please email the English Undergraduate Coordinator, Elle Starr, at Elle.Starr@wwu.edu.
Film Studies Minor: Please reach out to Greg Youmans at Greg.Youmans@wwu.edu.
Professional Writing, Literacies, and Rhetoric minor: Please reach out to Nicole Brown at Nicole.Brown@wwu.edu.
Women's Literature Minor: Please reach out to Kathryn Vulić at Kathryn.Vulic@wwu.edu.
Remember to use your Western email account and to include your W# in all Western correspondence. Thank you!
Major Evaluations
How do I get my literature or creative writing major evaluation?
Literature and Creative Writing majors may contact their Major Advisor for a major evaluation. Major evaluations are required as part of your degree application, and are typically completed 2 quarters before you intend to graduate.
How do I get my teaching endorsement option evaluation?
All teaching endorsement students may contact the teaching endorsement options advisor.
How do I get my minor evaluation?
English and Creative Writing minors, please email Undergraduate Coordinator, Elle Starr, at Elle.Starr@wwu.edu to request a minor evaluation.
Film Studies minors, please reach out to Greg Youmans at Greg.Youmans@wwu.edu.
Professional Writing, Literacies, and Rhetoric (PWLR) minors, please reach out to Nicole Brown at Nicole.Brown@wwu.edu.
Please be sure to use your Western email account and to include your W# in all Western correspondence. Be specific with your questions.
Resources
Please be sure to review your progress throughout the major or the minor in DegreeWorks. You can find DegreeWorks in Web4U. If the DegreeWorks evaluation does not seem correct or you have questions, please contact an advisor.
Plans of Study for Majors:
- Literature (Catalog Year: 23-24)
- Creative Writing (Catalog Year: 23-24)
- Literature with the Teaching Endorsement Option (Catalog Year: 23-24)
- Creative Writing with the Teaching Endorsement Option (Catalog Year: 23-24)
- English Language Learner (ELL)/Bilingual Endorsement Option (Catalog Year: 23-24)
- (Catalog Year: 23-24)
Informational Links
- Creative Writing: Catalog | English Department Site
- Literature: Catalog | English Department Site
- Teaching Endorsement Options: Catalog (Literature) | Catalog (Creative Writing) | Catalog (English Language Learners & Bilingual Education) | English Department Site
- English minor: Catalog | English Department Site
- Creative Writing minor: Catalog | English Department Site
- Film Studies minor: Catalog | English Department Site
- Professional Writing, Literacies, and Rhetoric minor: Catalog | English Department Site |