English Education 7-12 B.S.
About the Program
The English B.S. degree program in secondary education leads to a New York State Initial Certificate for teaching English in grades 7–12. Freshmen and transfers with fewer than 30 credits or a GPA below 2.5 are admitted into the English major and may switch to English education upon meeting departmental requirements. Transfers with more than 30 credits and a GPA of 2.5 or above can be admitted directly into English education.
Admissions Requirements
30 credits of college coursework; mandatory meeting with the English education coordinator; a 2.5 GPA and/or a strong indication of the professional disposition required to be a successful teacher. Evidence of professional dispositions can be indicated in a variety of ways: faculty recommendations, completed professional disposition forms, interview with English Education Committee, and/or evidence of relevant extracurricular activities.
Career Information
Depending on their program and course concentrations, English majors are prepared for positions as teachers or in business or public-sector positions requiring skills in writing, analysis, and problem solving. Students who pursue advanced degrees in law, business, and medical schools find themselves at a distinct advantage because of their well-honed communication skills. Students also may pursue advanced degrees in literature and become college professors.
Graduates have been hired as proofreaders, assistant managers, Web designers, booksellers, and teachers. Typical hiring firms include publishers, retail businesses, and school districts.
Recent graduates have been hired by many school districts and by companies such as Avalon Books, Barnes & Noble, White Directory Publishers, and Xcel Communications.
Program Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Requirements 39–66 cr
Total Required Credits in English (Literature and Language) 39 cr
(21 credits must be upper division)
A. Required Courses (15 cr)
1. ENG 190 Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation (Must be taken immediately after completion of freshman composition requirement or within first year of transfer to English Department.)
2. ENG 317 Shakespeare for Future Teachers (Students can also take ENG 315 or ENG 316.)
3. ENG 354 Ethnic American Literature
4. ENG 370 Foundations of Language
5. ENG 461 Young Adult Literature
B. Area Courses in Literature (24 cr)
1. Three courses in British Literature, at least one before 1800 and at least two before 1900.
Pre-1800 options: ENG 210, ENG 314, ENG 313, ENG 415, ENG 416, ENG 417
Pre-1900 options: ENG 211, ENG 418, ENG 419, ENG 420, ENG 421
Other options: ENG 252, ENG 455
2. Three courses in American literature, at least one prior to 1900, and ONLY one can be in a minority area.
Pre-1900 options: ENG 220, ENG 441, ENG 442, ENG 445
Other options: ENG 221, ENG 443, ENG 444
Minority area options: ENG 240, ENG 241, ENG 353
3. One course in World literature.
Options: ENG 130, ENG 131, ENG 230, ENG 310, ENG 330, ENG 331, ENG 332, ENG 345, ENG 346, ENG 350, ENG 351
The following courses from the Modern and Classical Languages Department and the Humanities Program can apply to these areas with approval of the English Department chair: FRE 331, FRE 341, GER 337, GER 338, HUM 320, HUM 328, ITA 336, MCL 337, MCL 338.
4. One elective: Students may choose from any of the literature courses listed in the categories above, and from the following:
ENG 151 Introduction to Poetry
ENG 231 Women in Literature
ENG 301W Advanced Composition
ENG 305W Creative Writing: Narrative
ENG 306W Creative Writing: Poetry
ENG 356 Futuristic Fiction
ENG 390 Literary Criticism and Theory
OR
an appropriate 490 or 499 section.
Note: Other courses, such as topics courses, when appropriate, can fulfill major requirements. Discuss questions with adviser
Total Required Credits in Professional Education 42 cr
A. General Education Courses (15 cr)
1. EDU/EXE 375 Integration of Technology in Education
2. EDU 416 Teaching Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools
3. EDF 303 Educational Psychology for Teachers of Adolescents
4. EDF 403 Historical and Philosophical Forces Influencing Secondary Education
5. EXE 100 Nature and Needs of Individuals with Special Needs
B. English Education (27 cr)
1. ENG 200 Field Experience in Secondary English Education
2. ENG 309 Teaching and Evaluating Writing
3. ENG 311 Teaching Language
4. ENG 463 Methods, Materials, and Professional Development for Teachers of English (6)
5. ENG 464 Student Teaching in Middle/Junior High School English (6)
6. ENG 465 Student Teaching in Senior High School English (6)
Students are encouraged to utilize their exceptional education course (EXE 100) to fulfill Intellectual Foundations requirements. Doing so will offer more flexibility to their program.
EDF 303, EDF 403, EDU 416, ENG 200, ENG 309, ENG 463 are prerequisites for student teaching (ENG 464 and ENG 465).
Students must have 2.0 overall GPA, and a 2.75 GPA in English courses and in education courses to student teach.
All College Electives 0 cr
Total Required Credit Hours 120 cr