English Education

English education encompasses the four language arts of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Accordingly, the English education major includes a broad range of English and professional education courses so that teacher candidates fully understand (a) each of the arts, (b) current theories of adolescent development, and (c) current best practices in secondary instruction. Teacher candidates also apply their knowledge and build their teaching skills during multiple clinical experiences in local schools.

The Program

Candidates in the English education major are prepared to teach language arts to students in grades 5-12 with creativity and confidence.  Our curriculum comprises a variety of courses in language/linguistics, composition/rhetoric, and literature. Teacher candidates in our British, American, World, and Young Adult literature courses explore fiction, poetry, and non-fiction written by men, women, and minorities.  Our professional education courses prepare teacher candidates to incorporate active learning strategies, create effective methods for assessment, and adjust instruction to accommodate multiple learning styles.

Professional Education Courses

Teacher candidates may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the School of Education (SOE). Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, teacher candidates must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work and education courses; and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test or meet minimum scores on the ACT+. Requirements for admission can be found on the School of Education website.

Student Teaching

Student teaching (clinical practice) is the culmination of the teaching program. During the clinical practice, teacher candidates apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their college courses to real-world classrooms under the supervision of experienced English teachers in middle or secondary schools. Faculty members from NDSU conduct regular on-site visits to support, encourage, and evaluate teacher candidates so that they gain the confidence and ability to join the teaching profession after graduation.

Student Advisement

An academic advisor works individually with English education majors to plan their programs of study and to advise and assist them as they progress to degree completion. Students are encouraged to seek their advisor's help whenever needed.

LICENSURE

Upon completing this program, teacher candidates are eligible for teacher licensure in English Language Arts in most states. Our program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB).

Career Opportunities

English teachers are in high demand across the country, so our graduates usually obtain full-time employment in school districts shortly after graduation. In addition to teaching careers, some English education graduates choose to teach English abroad or seek advanced degrees in English, law, library science, and counseling. Others obtain careers as corporate trainers or technical writers. Many options are available because an English education degree effectively teaches students to think critically, synthesize information, write and speak clearly and concisely, and to work effectively on teams.

Sample Program Guide

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.  

Note: If the student selects the communication option, the student must complete the additional 18 credits required. See official curriculum guide.