Bachelor's Degree in English Education (Secondary Certification)

Do you have a love for literature and writing and want to pass your excitement on to the next generation? Set yourself up for a rewarding career in teaching with a major in English from University of the Cumberlands. During your time in the program, you’ll build an excellent foundation for your future as you dive into the English and education courses designed to help you excel as an English teacher.

This English degree program will help you to develop stronger critical thinking skills as you explore the connections of literature with history, philosophy, fine arts, religion, and other academic disciplines. Faculty members who are committed to student success will help to nurture your appreciation of literature and language, broaden your cultural consciousness, and to clarify your professional aspirations. As an English major, you will also benefit from first-rate facilities and support services, including a laboratory for computer-assisted instruction in writing, a fully staffed writing center, and an excellent, user-friendly library. By the time you walk across the stage at graduation, you’ll be eligible for your teacher certification in English for secondary education.

• What is an English Education Degree?
• What Can You Do with an English Education Major?
• How to Become an English Teacher
• Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Tuition
• Admission Requirements
• Accreditation EPSB and CAEP
• Faculty

What is an English Education Degree?

A bachelor’s degree provides the training aspiring English teachers need to pursue certifications that qualify them for teaching careers. Courses are designed to help future teachers gain a fundamental understanding of what it takes to teach English to young learners. They’ll cover advanced writing, descriptive linguistics, literature, and communications as well as instruction on integrating technology into curriculum and teaching best practices. These future educators should also gain a comprehensive education in age-appropriate lesson planning, classroom management and supervision strategies, how to plan educational activities, and more. 

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What Can You Do with an English Education Major?

Along with your in-class practicum, your English education gives you the tools you need to pursue the necessary certifications needed to pursue job opportunities as a high school English teacher, where in 2030, teachers averaged an annual salary of $61,820. With your bachelor’s degree in English education, potential job and career options can include:

• English language or literature teacher (9-12)
• Writer/editor
• Government service
• Missionary work
• Seminary
• Law
• Private business
• Public relations

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How to Become an English Teacher

Those interested in becoming English teachers in secondary education settings should first check with their state’s certifying board. Different states may have different certification requirements. Some requirements and steps toward becoming a teacher, however, are fairly standard.

Begin by pursuing an English major in a high-quality bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution. This college degree program should combine a deeper understanding and mastery of the English language—reading comprehension, literature, writing composition, etc.—with effective strategies for teaching in secondary education settings. Plus, there should be a student-teaching component in an English classroom. This is typically a requirement for certification by relevant state boards.

From there, new educators will likely need to pass a state test, apply for a teaching license, and then submit applications for open English teacher jobs. 

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Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science with a Major in English – 42 semester hours 

Required Courses:

• ENGL 230     Literary Criticism 
• ENGL 438     Advanced Writing 
• ENGL 439     Descriptive Linguistics 

Four of the following are required: 

• ENGL 331     English Literature through 1660 
• ENGL 332     English Literature 1660-1830 
• ENGL 333     English Literature since 1830 
• ENGL 334     American Literature through 1865 
• ENGL 335     American Literature since 1865 

Three of the following are required: 

• ENGL 431     Studies in British Literature 
• ENGL 432     Studies in Modern Literature
• ENGL 433  Women in Literature 
• ENGL 437     Studies in British and American Authors 

Two electives of 300- or 400-level courses in writing or literature are required. Two courses in either Spanish or French language are required. 
Besides these requirements for the major, these additional courses are required for teacher certification in English - 
Three courses are required in related fields: 

• COMM 230 
• THTR 130 
• ENGL 337 or EDUC 338 

In addition, 42 hours in professional education courses are also required as defined by the Education Department. 

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Tuition

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees.

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Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to this program, click here to view the undergraduate, on-campus admissions information. 

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Accreditation

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

In addition to the overall institutional accreditation statement above, the specialized accrediting bodies related to this degree are listed below. 

KDE/EPSB – State Accreditation
University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is further accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB), 100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. (502) 564-4606. Fax: (502) 564-7080.

CAEP – National Accreditation
The School of Education at University of the Cumberlands (UC) is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level.  CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.  UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
 
CAEP Address: 1140 19th St NW #400, Washington, DC 20036
CAEP Phone Number: (202) 223-0077

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Faculty

Click here to view a list of the English faculty. 

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