Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 General Catalog

English: Teaching Emphasis - BA, BS


College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English

About This Degree

With its small class sizes and nationally published faculty members, the English Department helps students develop skills in analysis, production, and understanding of texts in the English language. Students learn to write, think, and communicate effectively in a technologically and culturally complex world. Students develop skills in the areas most valued by employers, including critical thinking, teamwork, and oral and written communication, which will prepare them to enter into a wide range of career options.

Because the English Department is home to faculty that are heavily involved in research, students are provided with numerous opportunities to pursue undergraduate research projects and creative projects with individual attention from professors.

Students receive a by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

English Teaching Emphasis: Students emphasizing in English teaching prepare to teach secondary level English in the public school system. Students take a wide range of literature, writing, and teaching courses that prepare them to teach language arts in secondary education classrooms.

Minimum University Requirements


Admission Requirements For This Program


  • New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
  • Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.5 GPA Overall, 2.5 GPA at USU, 3.0 GPA for STEP

Major Requirements (50 credits + 29 credits for STEP)


Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative (3.0 USU cumulative required for admission to STEP); 2.75 career total (for licensure)

Minimum Grade Accepted: C (no pass/fail) in major courses; C in STEP courses

Credits in Residence: Students must complete 21 credits of major-applicable coursework at Utah State University.

Other Requirements: STEP (typically requires three semesters; see TEAL website and advisors for STEP advising) required for licensure, and ENGL 1410 .

Emphasis Requirements


B. Literature (15 credits)


Distribution: Among the literature courses selected in category B, there must be one course in American literature and one course in world literature.

Additional Literature Courses (6 credits)


Students must select one literature course numbered 3000 or higher (3 credits) and one literature course at the 4000 or 5000 level (3 credits).

C. Shakespeare Course (3 credits)


D. English Teaching Courses (14 credits)


Select these courses (14 credits):

E. Linguistics Requirement (3 credits)


Select one course:

F. Grammar Requirement (3 credits)


Students must complete ENGL 1410 .

G. Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)


English Teaching students must complete the STEP program to be eligible for graduation and to receive a license to teach in the public school system. The STEP program is administered through the Secondary Education Program of the School of TEAL, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Students must be admitted to STEP before taking many STEP courses. Among the requirements for admission is a Criminal Background Check. While completing student teaching, students must pass the required PPAT assessment. STEP requirements are subject to change based on changes in state licensure. Students should meet with an advisor in the School of TEAL for further information regarding this program.

Licensure Notification


This program typically leads to licensure and was designed to meet licensing qualifications in the state of Utah. If students wish to work in another state within the United States, they should review the qualifications for that state and the Education Licensure Compliance Table provided by School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

For more information, please contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership at https://cehs.usu.edu/teal/

Additional Information


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 16 credits in pedagogy to learn about curriculum, planning, instructional delivery, assessment, and related topics. ENGL 3500  and ENGL 4520  require admission to the STEP program. Students also take three credits of linguistics coursework.

Students are urged to complete the required Exploratory courses and an additional six credits of English before taking ENGL 4500  and ENGL 4510 . When possible, students should complete all of their required 3000-level courses before taking 4000-level courses.

To obtain professional licensure at graduation, students must fulfill the requirements of the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) prescribed by the Secondary Education Program of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL).

This is for the English teaching emphasis only. To obtain a secondary teaching license for grades 6-12, students must complete the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USU’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Students must apply to the School of TEAL the semester before taking STEP courses. This is usually the fall of their junior year. Students learn subject content through the English Department and spend the last year or two studying education techniques through the STEP program.

Students in the English teaching program are required to select an approved teaching minor to expand their career options.

Open Electives


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120


Suggested Degree Map - English: Teaching Emphasis BA, BS