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English Education Major

Become a high school English teacher

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Do you love reading and discussing literature? Do you enjoy writing and understanding the English language? Are you passionate about teaching and working with young adults? Become an English teacher and share your passions with others.

SBU's English education major will equip you with an in-depth study of literature, writing, and language, combined with excellent training for teaching on the high school level, preparing you for leadership in a 21st-century language arts classroom.

Graduates from SBU's English education degree are serving as secondary school teachers across Missouri and the U.S., are teaching abroad, and are teaching English as a foreign language. Becoming an English teacher with an education from SBU will open the door to many opportunities for you!

The English Education degree is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences. 

Resources

Major Map (PDF)

Degree Plan

95%
Job
placement
rate

(Average job placement for English education graduates within 3 months of graduation, 3-year aggregate)

Female students in homecoming parade

The SBU Advantage

  • Classroom field experiences start as early as your freshman year and culminate in a semester-long student teaching experience your senior year, providing valuable real-world experiences and networking opportunities.
  • Learn from highly qualified and dedicated faculty in both the division of language and communication and the division of education.
  • Discuss topics within language and literature from the perspective of Christian beliefs and values.
  • Benefit from faculty connections — Our English education majors are highly sought after following graduation due to SBU's connections with numerous secondary schools.

Faith Integration

Faculty in the department of language and literature intentionally integrate the Christian faith into classroom instruction by showing how Scriptural truths are foundational to educational practices and theoretical understandings. Classroom discussions of literature occur within the context of a Christian worldview. You will be challenged to consider how your faith affects your literary analysis and your writing.

Laura Latall
"SBU gave me a solid foundation in understanding both the literature and language that I teach and effective methods for teaching it. The rigor of the classroom helped me learn deeply and the commitment of my professors helped me achieve more than I thought I could. I wouldn't be who I am today if I had not been so poured into by mentors at SBU."
Laura Latall '10
English teacher at Lebanon High School (Mo.)

University Writing Center

Put your learning into action by working as a tutor in the University Writing Center and working with other students one-on-one to provide individualized help and feedback on writing assignments and projects.

Writing Contests

Be recognized for your writing abilities by participating in annual writing contests. Selected entries are published in the department's literary journal.

Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series

Meet regionally and nationally recognized literary artists who visit campus to read from their original works as part of the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series. Authors also lead seminars for students particularly interested in the creative process. Past guest authors include Robin Jones Gunn, Marilyn Nelson, Ted Kooser and Naomi Shihab Nye.

Author Unknown

Join Author Unknown, SBU's campus poetry society open to any SBU student. Weekly meetings provide opportunities for you to express creativity by reading and critiquing original poems while spending time with students and faculty who share a passion for poetry.

Celebrations of Creative Works

Share your creative writing and join SBU’s writing community by attending readings.  Each semester, students and faculty celebrate their own original creative works by participating in a reading of poetry, fiction, song, and other genres.

Full-Time Faculty

Autumn Finley

Dr. Autumn Finley, Associate Professor
Carla Kirchner

Dr. Carla Kirchner, Associate Professor

Sigma Tau Delta

The SBU chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, is open to English and writing majors who maintain a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top third of their class.

Student Missouri State Teachers Association

As an English education major, you are encouraged to join SBU's chapter of Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA) to benefit from professional development and networking opportunities as you prepare for your future teaching career.

Scholarships

As a student in SBU's division of language and communication, you will have the opportunity to apply for several privately funded scholarship awards available to English and writing students.

SCOP Journal

SBU students have the opportunity to submit their original works and be published in SCOP, the literary journal of SBU's Division of Language and Communication. Students also receive valuable experience with editing and publishing the journal.

Download SCOP 2021

Download SCOP 2019

Download SCOP 2018

English (Teacher Certification) Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
MAT 1243 Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling 3
Total hours 16
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
EDU 2113 Educational Psychology 3
ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
PHS 1004 Introduction to Physical Science (or alternative) 4

 

 ENG 3313, 3323, or 4483: American Literature* 3
EDU 2141 Field Experience Level I 1
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
  Cultural Studies 2
SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
EDU 2313 Foundations of Education 3
  ENG 3313, 3323, or 4033: American Literature* 3
 ENG 3233 Medieval Renaissance* or  
ENG 3243 17th & 18th Century English Literature* or  
ENG 4413 Shakespeare* 3
Total hours 16
 

Junior

Fall Semester

ENG 3303 American Literature for the Young Adult Reader 3
ENG 3373 Structure of the English Language 3
EDU 3613 Content Area Literacy 3
ENG 3333 Romantic Period* or  
ENG 3343 Victorian Period* or  
ENG 4023 Contemporary British Literature* 3
ENG 3353 Advanced Composition 3
Total hours 15

Spring Semester

EDU 3043 Learner Development and the Classroom 3
ENG 4543 Methods of Teaching Writing in Secondary Schools 3
ENG 2313 World Literature 3
ENG 3363 History of English Language* 3
  Elective 3
Total hours 15
 

Senior

Fall Semester

EDU 2823 Technology for Educators 3
EDU 3333 Principles and Methods of Secondary Instruction 3
EDU 3341 Field Experience Level 2 in Secondary School (Concurrent w/EDU 3333) 1
EDU 3833 Behavior and Classroom Management — Secondary 3
  British Literature* 3
  Elective 3
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

EDU 4691 Student Teaching Seminar 1
EDU 4832 Assessment and Evaluation of Learners 2
EDU 4623 Teaching Diverse Learners 3
EDU 4949 Student Teaching in the Secondary School 10
Total hours 16

*Course availability varies by semester. Please consult course catalog for details.

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation.
The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Download in PDF format:
English (Teacher Certification) Plan (PDF)