North Dakota Community Colleges
English Programs
English coursework at community colleges in this state. Composition, literature, and writing-track classes for transfer-track liberal-arts students.
5 colleges · 181 sections · 15 unique courses · Spring 2026 · Updated today
English composition is required at virtually every four-year college in North Dakota for graduation, and the two-semester intro composition sequence (English I and II) is among the most-enrolled courses at NDUS community colleges. The 181 sections across 5 institutions this term cover composition, intro literature, technical writing, and creative writing.
The English associate is a transfer pathway — completing the first two years of an English bachelor's at community-college tuition. Direct career roles in English (technical writer, copy editor, content marketer) typically need a bachelor's and a strong portfolio. Compare colleges below for online section availability; English I and II are among the most-online-available courses across NDUS.
Colleges offering English
English is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | 79 | 8 | 21 |
| North Dakota State College of Science | 43 | 6 | 11 |
| Williston State College | 26 | 7 | 3 |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | 18 | 8 | 9 |
| Lake Region State College | 15 | 5 | 4 |
English Availability Snapshot
How english sections are being offered across 5 colleges in North Dakota this term (181 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person133 (73%)
- online48 (27%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)68
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)41
- Evening (5 PM and after)3
- Asynchronous / TBA69
Start dates
Sections begin on 6 distinct dates. 170 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 66 distinct instructors across 5 colleges.
Common English courses
- ENGL 120College Composition II(82 sections)
- ENGL 110College Composition I(47 sections)
- ENGL 105Technical Communications(10 sections)
- ENGL 125Introduction to Professional Writing(9 sections)
- ENGL 238Children's Literature(8 sections)
- ENGL 100English Fundamentals(6 sections)
- ENGL 211Introduction to Creative Writing (Fiction)(6 sections)
- ENGL 232Mythology(3 sections)
- ENGL 222Introduction to Poetry(2 sections)
- ENGL 262American Literature II(2 sections)
- ENGL 225Introduction To Film(2 sections)
- ENGL 233Fantasy and Science Fiction(1 section)
Frequently asked questions
- Will my English composition credits transfer?
- Yes — English I and English II from any NDUS college transfer 1:1 to every North Dakota public four-year. Most also transfer to out-of-state public and private institutions, though the specific course-equivalence depends on each receiving school's catalog. English composition is among the most reliably transferable courses you can take.
- Can I major in English at a community college?
- You can complete the associate of arts with an English focus — the first two years of an English bachelor's — but the upper-division (literature theory, advanced writing seminars, capstone) only happens at a four-year. CC English faculty often teach intro literature and creative writing well, especially small workshop-style courses; serious English majors get strong preparation at the CC level.
- What jobs does an English degree qualify me for?
- With just the associate: limited direct roles — entry copywriting at small companies, administrative work, content moderation. With the bachelor's added: technical writer, content marketing, editor, communications coordinator, teacher (with certification), journalist, publishing assistant. The strongest English-major careers combine the writing skills with a domain specialty.
- Is the writing instruction at community college as good as at a four-year?
- Often yes, sometimes better. Community-college composition classes are typically smaller (20-25 students) than the large-lecture composition courses at flagship state universities, and CC English instructors are usually full-time teaching faculty (not graduate students). The instruction quality is high; the credential signaling is what differs.
Compare English programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how North Dakota’s english programs stack up.
Other programs in North Dakota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.