Secondary Education: English, BA
Secondary English language arts teachers are privileged to teach content that allows them to get to know their students well through discussions about texts and through many forms of student writing. If you’re interested in sharing your love of language, literature, and writing with others, this is the major for you.
In 4 years, you’ll not only have completed all the requirements for graduation, but also for teacher certification in West Virginia. You’ll have spent many hours in local schools, observing, tutoring, and student teaching, and will be ready to apply for teaching positions or jobs in other educational settings.
Your Degree Plan
Non-Western World Literature
ENGL 226
Selected readings in non-Western world literature, ancient, and modern.
Fiction for Adolescents
ENGL 405
A survey of fiction for adolescents with special attention to literary theories that assist its interpretation.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- The National Writing Project at WVU maintains a collection of books and other resources on the teaching of writing.
- Work as a tutor or seek help with your own writing at the Eberly Writing Studio, a resource for writers across campus.
- Many teacher-education programs only include one semester of student teaching. In our program, you’re out in public middle and high schools beginning the first semester after you’re admitted to the program.
- You’ll complete the edTPA assessment, a nationally recognized mode of evaluating student teachers that will not only help you become a more reflective teacher, but will give you important practice for National Board Certification.
- Work with students on the front lines of education as you teach them critical literacy skills.
- The WVU student chapter of the National Council of Teachers of English, the NCTE Mountaineers, help plan and run the state-level English language arts conference hosted by the National Writing Project at WVU and the West Virginia Teachers of English.
- Students have given professional presentations at the state-level English language arts conference and at other conferences both local and national.
- Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
- 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
- Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend, and enhance your academic experience.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
Many English education majors have worked as tutors in the Eberly College Writing Studio or as assistants with the West Virginia Dialect Project. Both opportunities provide important practical experiences for future teachers, especially in terms of understanding more about how to approach writing and language instruction.
Others have volunteered with the Appalachian Prison Book Project, housed in the Department of English, helping provide books to incarcerated people in the region.
Student members of WVU’s student chapter of the National Council of Teachers of English have helped organize statewide conferences and presented at these conferences.
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Secondary School Teachers
Median Salary: $64,580
Possible Job Titles: English Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher
Where our graduates work
Outside of teaching, graduates use their classroom experience to pursue careers with:
- 4-H
- The Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- The Literacy Lab
- Other nonprofit educational and mentoring organizations
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Secondary Education: English major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.
Tuition and Aid
How much does Secondary Education: English at WVU cost? And how can you save?
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Secondary Education: English, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Start at Another WVU Campus
You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Request Info
Want to know more about Secondary Education: English at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.
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