Bachelor of Arts (English major with teacher certification-Grades 8-12)
The Department of English actively seeks students with strong interests in English and teaching at the secondary level for our teacher certification program. We offer a 36-hour program of study for prospective high school English teachers that includes coursework in literature, composition, language studies, and teaching methods. English 3350 and English 4320, in particular, prepare students for practical application of teaching techniques. As well as providing advising for certification students throughout their program, the department also prepares students for taking the TExES 8-12 English Language Arts certification examination when they approach the end of their program of study. Students interested in exploring teaching English in high school as a career should contact Dr. Julie Gates, Chair of the Teacher Education Committee: 942-2273 ext. 236.
Students must have been admitted into the Teacher Education Student Teaching Program and must be currently satisfying admission standards before being allowed to enroll in either Education 4322 or 4323.
A major in English with teacher certification (Grades 8-12) requires a total of 36 semester hours, of which 24 must be advanced. The 24 advanced hours must include 3 hours of American literature, 3 hours of British literature before 1800 (3301, 3302, 3303, or 3308), 3350, 4320, 4358, and 4361, but may not include 3335, 3351, or 3352 for certification credit.
| Academic Major | Semester Hours |
| English 1301, 1302, and sophomore literature | 12 |
| English (advanced) | 6 |
| American Literature (advanced) | 3 |
| English 3301, 3302, 3303, or 3308 | 3 |
| English 3350 | 3 |
| English 4320 | 3 |
| English 4358 | 3 |
| English 4361 | 3 |
| Other Requirements | |
| Communication 2301 or 2331 | 3 |
| Computer Literacy (Animal Science 1351, Communication 2345, Computer Science 1331, Education 2323, Business Computer Information Systems 1305, Journalism 2345, Music 2353, University Studies 2323) | 3 |
| Government 2301 and 2302 | 6 |
| History 1301 and 1302 | 6 |
| Mathematics 1302, 1303, 1311, 1312, 1321, 1332, 2331, 2332 | 3 |
| Natural Science (two lab sciences: biology, chemistry, geology, physical science, physics) | 8 |
| Physical Activity | 1 |
| Social Science (economics, geography, psychology, sociology) lower division | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (art, drama, music) lower division | 3 |
| Modern Languages 2311 (Spanish 2310 or 2311), 2312 (also 1301, 1302 if necessary)*** | 6-12 |
| Professional Education | |
| Eduacation 4321, 4322, 4323, and 4973 | 18 |
| Educational Psychology 3311 | 3 |
| Reading 4320 | 3 |
| Minor | |
| Minor | 18 |
| Electives | |
| Electives | 4-10 |
The above plan meets all core curriculum and Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. The BA degree with a major in English requires a minimum of 130 semester credit hours, a minimum of 39 advanced (junior and senior level) semester credit hours, and a minimum of 33 semester credit hours in residence (24 of which must be at the advanced level).
Teacher Certification Grades 8-12 for Non-majors: A student who is not an English major but chooses English Language Arts and Reading for a certification area must complete 30 semester credit hours from the following English courses: 1301, 1302, 6 hours of sophomore literature, 3 advanced hours in American literature, 3 advanced hours in British literature, 3350, 4320, 4358, and 4361. Students may not take 3335, 3351, or 3352 for certification credit.
See the School of Education section of this Bulletin (2005-2007 page 372) for additional requirements.
Elementary Teacher Certification: English as an academic specialization for elementary teacher certification requires: English 1301, 1302, six semester hours of sophomore literature, and 12 advanced semester hours.
TExES Eligibility: To be eligible for approval to take the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) in English Language Arts and Reading, Grades 8-12, students must satisfy the applicable State and University minimum requirements as well as the following departmental requirements. Students must have completed English 4320 with a grade of C or better, must have satisfactorily completed the TExES Preparation Workshop provided by the department, and must receive departmental approval.