Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Teaching English

The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English is a specialized program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for teaching English Studies in secondary institutions and at the college level. The curriculum is designed to provide both theoretical and applied knowledge of three specific content areas of English Studies vital to classroom instruction and curricular development: Composition, Literature, and Language.

Program Overview

Upon completion of the four required courses and a practicum, students will receive a certificate. The certificate requires classroom teaching experience and is offered on-ground. It may be taken without pursuing a master's degree or incorporated into the M.A. in English.

Entrance and Course Requirements

• Eligibility: An applicant should hold a B.A. in English, but any baccalaureate degree holder can apply. Prerequisite courses would likely be necessary for an applicant who does not have a B.A. or B.S. in English.
• Admissions process: Applicants must submit two recommendations, an analytic writing sample, and a statement of purpose. The application portfolio will be assessed by the English Graduate Admissions Committee.
  • Requirements for admission to graduate study include meeting UIS requirements.
  • Applicants who are not already admitted to the M.A. degree should apply to UIS and to the department.

Required Courses

Candidates for the certificate will be expected to complete course requirements with a grade of C+ or better; however, the cumulative grade point average earned must be at least 3.0 for the certificate to be awarded. The required courses include:

• ENG 501: Digital Humanities Research
• ENG 550: Seminar: Topics in Teaching Writing
• ENG 551: Teaching Literature
• ENG 552: Sociolinguistics and English Studies
• ENG 553: Teaching Practicum Total Hours: 18

Note

Please note that this certificate does not provide teaching certification, endorsement, or licensure for any state board of education. However, the course of study may be particularly valuable for teachers who are already certified or licensed, such as those who want to teach dual-credit courses at the high school level or those who plan to teach English at the lower-division/community college level.