English Teaching Emphasis
Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 , ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.75 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.75 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative (2.75 USU cumulative required for admission to STEP); 2.75 career total (for licensure)
Minimum Grade Accepted: C (no pass/fail) in major courses; B- in STEP courses (Note: C- or better in Quantitative Literacy (QL) course required by the Secondary Education Program)
Number of Required Credits: 42 (45 if required to take ENGL 1410 )
Other Requirements: Teaching minor, STEP (35 credits) required for licensure, Grammar Challenge Exam (score of at least 80 percent) or ENGL 1410
This emphasis, leading to professional licensure in the teaching of secondary-level English, prepares prospective English teachers to participate actively in the many communities related to the profession. Students become well-versed in their academic subject matter (language, writing, literature, and multimedia); skilled in the methods of teaching the various components of the English curriculum and in classroom management techniques; and committed to the achievement of all students regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic standing.
In addition to the required exploratory courses, students take 18 credits in literature courses in order to acquire an understanding of the traditional literary canon, literary diversity, and current theoretical approaches to understanding literature. Students take 12 credits in pedagogy to learn about curriculum, planning, instructional delivery, assessment, and related topics. Students take 3 credits of an English elective, allowing them an opportunity to explore an area of personal interest.
Students are urged to complete the required Exploratory courses and an additional 6 credits of English prior to taking ENGL 4500 and ENGL 4510 . When possible, students should complete all of their required 3000-level courses before taking 4000-level courses.
If students wish to obtain professional licensure at graduation, they must also fulfill the requirements of the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) prescribed by the Secondary Education Program of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL).
A. Exploratory Requirements (9 credits)
- Literature (3 credits)
- Culture (3 credits)
- Writing (3 credits)
B. Literature Courses (18 credits)
Select three courses from the following: (9 credits)
Select two literature elective courses as indicated (6 credits)
- One literature course numbered 3305 or higher 3
- One literature elective numbered 4xxx or 5xxx 3
Distribution
Among the literature courses selected (here in category B or in the English elective in category D below), there must be one course in American literature and one course in world literature.
C. English Teaching Courses (12 credits)
Select these three courses (9 credits)
Select one course from the following courses (3 credits)
D. English elective (3 credits)
- Select an English course numbered 3305 or higher (includes courses in creative writing, professional and technical writing, literature, linguistics, folklore, and American studies) 3
E. Grammar Competency
In addition to fulfilling the above requirements, students in the English Education emphasis must fulfill a grammar competency requirement. This may be accomplished either by enrolling in ENGL 1410 , or by passing a challenge exam in the English Department Writing Center (Ray B. West 104) with a score of 80 percent or better. See the English undergraduate advisor for further information.
F. Teaching Minor
Students in the English Education emphasis also complete a teaching minor. Required number of credit hours varies depending on the option selected. See the English undergraduate advisor for further information.
G. Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) (35 credits)
To receive a license to teach in the public school system, students in the English Teaching emphasis must also complete the 35-credit STEP administered through the Secondary Education Program of the School of TEAL. Students must be admitted to STEP before taking STEP courses. Among the requirements is a Criminal Background Check. See an advisor in the Secondary Education Program of the School of TEAL, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, for further information regarding this program. Prior to student teaching, students must pass the required Praxis exams.
Please note a change that went into effect in 2014. The Utah State Office of Education now requires all institutions to mandate a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement for admission. Students are also required to submit and meet the minimum ACT scores as listed below. The new admission requirements began August 1, 2014.
ACT Composite = 21
ACT Math = 19
ACT English = 20
