Our English Education programs are built around the concept that an English teacher’s first and foremost goal must be to encourage a lifelong love of reading and writing in students. As a teacher of English, you will be nurturing in students the skills of reading and writing, skills that are foundational to a productive and satisfying life.

We offer two programs in English education: an elementary program, Language Arts, and a secondary one, English Language and Literature. Each program pairs a literature track with a pedagogical one, providing you with a balanced training in content and in theory and practice. In the literature track, you will engage in the study of topics such as American literature, literature by diverse writers, composition theory, comics and film, grammar, and children’s and young adult literature. The education track provides you with the practical and pedagogical training to become an effective teacher. Each degree culminates in a senior project in which you conduct research on a topic of your choice and fieldwork in local schools.

Language Arts – Elementary Teaching

Language Arts is a major or minor for those who wish to certify to teach in elementary schools with a focus on the English language arts or middle school English classes (grades K-8). As a Language Arts major or minor, you can help run our annual children’s writing festival, serve as a judge for an elementary school writing contest, edit a grade-school writing anthology, and practice your teaching skills in our 21st century learning environment.

English Language & Literature – Secondary Teaching

A major or minor for those wishing to certify to teach English to middle or high school students. As an English Language and Literature–Secondary Education major, you can take courses on YA Literature and visual texts such as graphic novels. You can learn how to publish your own future students’ work in student journals by working as an editing intern in the department or lead a community writing workshop. You’ll also get to practice your teaching skills in our 21st century learning environment.

Program Goals

This program prepares you:

  • To become a critical thinker, being able to evaluate evidence in order to draw a reasoned and logical conclusion
  • To become an effective writer and communicator, being able to convey your ideas with clarity and persuasion
  • To become a successful teacher, being able to practice pedagogical methods to effectively guide students in their learning experience

Skills Gained in English Education

  • Written and verbal communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Global learning
  • Research and analysis

Degrees in English Education

Language Arts BA (Elementary)

In this program, students will complete a teaching major in Language Arts, and a planned program in the other three academic areas essential to elementary school teaching:  mathematics, natural science and social science.  The planned program is explained in the Elementary Education section of this catalog.

The program also includes general education requirements and a professional education sequence.  Students complete their initial professional education course in their sophomore year, and then apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program.

English Requirements (36 credits)

  • ENGL180 Introduction to Literary Studies 3
  • ENGL221 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
  • ENGL222 English Grammar 3
  • ENGL231 American Literature I 3
  • ENGL232 American Literature II 3
  • ENGL236 Literature and Culture 3
  • ENGL320 Responding to Writing 3
  • ENGL335 Children’s Literature 3
  • ENGL470 Language Arts Senior Thesis 3
  • COMM308 Communication Theory 3
  • THEA112 Acting for Beginners 3
  • CHLD225 Emergent Literacy 3

English Departmental Requirements (8 credits)

  • One year of a modern language other than English

For information regarding the Professional Educational Sequence and Elementary Planned Program, – see Elementary Education.

General Education: All LSSU bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.

Bachelor of Arts degree (8 credits): One year of a modern language other than English.  If taken at LSSU, this would be CHIN151-CHIN152 or CHIN251-CHIN252; FREN151-FREN152 or FREN251-FREN252 or SPAN161-SPAN162. One-half year of two different languages will not meet this requirement.

A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.70 or higher.  A gpa of 2.70 or higher is required in your Major, and a gpa of 2.00 or higher is required in your General Education Requirements.

English Language and Literature BA (Secondary)

The English Language and Literature – Secondary Teaching program prepares graduates for secondary-level teacher certification in Michigan, which permits individuals to teach English in grades 6-12.

In this program, students will complete a teaching major in English Language and Literature and additional professional education requirements that will prepare them for a career in teaching at the secondary level.

Degree Requirements

English Requirements (34 credits)

  • ENGL180 Introduction to Literary Studies 3
  • ENGL221 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
  • ENGL222 English Grammar and Language in Context 3
  • ENGL231 American Literature I 3
  • ENGL232 American Literature II 3
  • ENGL320 Responding to Writing 3
  • ENGL336 Young Adult Literature and Culture 3
  • ENGL345 Studies in Classic Texts 3
  • ENGL435 Studies in Visual Texts 3
  • ENGL380 History of Literary Criticism 3
  • ENGL490 Senior Thesis 2
  • ENGL499 Senior Thesis 2

English and Literacy Education Methods (6 credits):

  • EDUC440 Reading in the Content Area 3

  • EDUC441 Secondary English Methods 3
    or
  • EDUC451 Ind Study English Methods 3

Professional Education Sequence and Education Cognates- see Secondary Education.

Approved Teaching Minor Recommended – see Secondary Education.

General Education: All LSSU bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.

Bachelor of Arts degree (8 credits): One year of a modern language other than English.  If taken at LSSU, this would be CHIN151-CHIN152 or CHIN251-CHIN252; or FREN151-FREN152 or FREN251-FREN252 or SPAN161-SPAN162.  One-half year of two different languages will not meet this requirement.

A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.70 or higher.  A gpa of 2.70 or higher is required in your Major, and a gpa of 2.00 or higher is required in your General Education Requirements.

Elementary Language Arts - Minor

Total Credits Required: 24

English Requirements:

  • ENGL180 Introduction to Literary Studies 3
  • ENGL221 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
  • ENGL222 English Grammar 3
  • ENGL231 American Literature I 3
  • ENGL232 American Literature II 3
  • ENGL320 Responding to Writing 3
  • ENGL335 Children’s Literature 3
  • THEA112 Acting for Beginners 3

English Language and Literature Minor (Secondary)

Total Credits Required: 30

English Requirements:

  • ENGL180 Introduction to Literary Studies 3
  • ENGL222 English Grammar & Language in Context 3
  • ENGL231 American Literature I 3
  • ENGL232 American Literature II 3
  • ENGL320 Responding to Writing 3
  • ENGL336 Young Adult Literature and Culture 3
  • ENGL345 Studies in Classic Texts 3
  • ENGL435 Studies in Visual Texts 3

Education Requirements:

  • EDUC440 Reading in the Content Area 3
  • EDUC441 Eng Lang Arts Meth Sec Teachers 3
Last Year's Young Authors

The winners of a K-5 elementary creative writing contest pictured with LSSU teacher education candidates Lindsay Smalley Uhrig and Marin Pline and LSSU professor Mary McMyne

$59,170

Median Salary