English, Secondary Education Certification (with Secondary Education Major or Minor), B.A.

Location(s): Main Campus

Students interested in becoming English teachers at the secondary school level should make appointments with the Chair of the English program and the Coordinator of the Secondary Education program to plan their coursework. These students will declare a major in English as well as a major or minor in Secondary Education. Upon successful completion of English and Secondary Education Program requirements, students may become certified in Pennsylvania to teach English in grades 7-12. Students should consult carefully with their English program and Education program advisors in planning their course of studies. Students should also refer to the Education Department section of this bulletin for a complete outline of Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and program requirements. Stof the curriculum and other degree requirements.

Students seeking certification as Middle Level public school English teachers should also consult carefully with their Education program and English program advisors in planning their program.

Secondary Education Concentration (Certification) Requirements in English

English Majors who concentrate their studies in Secondary Education (Certification) are required to take:

ENG 324 - History of the English Language Credits: 3
ENG 101 - Composition Credits: 4
ENG 120 - Introduction to Literature and Culture Credits: 3
ENG 201 - Writing About Literature and Culture Credits: 4
ENG 225 - Comparative Grammar Credits: 3

Three of Four Survey Courses:

The department strongly recommends that students concentrating in secondary education (certification) take all four survey courses.

ENG 233 - Survey of English Literature I Credits: 3
ENG 234 - Survey of English Literature II Credits: 3
ENG 281 - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3
ENG 282 - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3

Four 300-level English Literature Courses

Students must also complete 12 credit hours in English literature courses numbered above 300, including one course in major author studies, one course in genre studies (fiction, drama, poetry), one course in a period or movement, and ENG 397 (English Seminar).

English majors concentrating in Secondary Education (Certification) must also complete the following required Courses for the Major(*) or Minor in Secondary Education:

* Courses marked * are required in order to complete the major in Secondary Education.

ED 345 - Assessment in Education Credits: 3 *
ED 375 - Middle Level and Secondary Education Methods with Field Experience Credits: 4 *
ED 180 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
ED 190 - Effective Teaching with Field Experience Credits: 3
ED 191 - Integrating Technology into The Classroom Credits: 3
ED 220 - Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners Credits: 3
ED 380 - Content Area Literacy Credits: 3
ED 390 - Student Teaching With Seminar [Pk-4], [4-8], [7-12], and [K-12] Credits: 12
EDSP 388 - Inclusionary Practices Credits: 3
EDSP 210 - Teaching Students with Special Needs Credits: 3
EDSP 225 - Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities with Field Experience Credits: 3
ENG 393 - The Teaching of English in Middle-Level and Secondary Schools Credits: 4

In Addition

All Teacher Education candidates must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program in the sophomore or junior year.
To be admitted into the Teacher Education Program, candidates must
- Attain a 3.0 GPA
- Complete 48 credits
- Pass a test of basic skills
- Submit required clearances showing ‘no record’
To remain in the Teacher Education Program, candidates must
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Adhere to the Code of Professionalism and Academic Honesty
To be certified as a teacher in Pennsylvania in grades 7-12, candidates must
- Successfully complete all required Education courses, including student teaching
- Graduate with a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Pass the appropriate exit test(s) (e.g., PRAXIS II exam) in their content area
Apply for certification through the Pennsylvania Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).