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Secondary Education, BSE - English

High School English Teacher Degree

The role of an English teacher extends beyond teaching students reading and writing. In the high school setting, you must help students analyze written works and encourage them to share their opinions, which builds their critical-thinking and communication skills as they prepare to enter the real world. Get the education and skills you need to impact students’ lives while you cultivate your love for literature, with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Central Missouri. Let UCM’s Secondary Education program, which offers English Education, put you and your future students on the path to success.

A traditional English Teacher degree program with a modern curriculum

English education has evolved greatly over the years. It’s no longer just about composition and grammar. Instead, an English teacher is responsible for educating and guiding students in today’s literacies, including digital and multimedia literacy.

When you begin your English Teacher degree with UCM, you are choosing a long-established and traditional four-year program that provides a modern curriculum. UCM’s English Education program will help you engage and prepare students, as well as foster a literate society.

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100% job placement rate

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Grades 9 to 12 teaching certification

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Small classes for personal instruction

CAEP accreditation

Long-standing CAEP accreditation

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Multiple field experiences

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Education and English student orgs

 

What you will study

Your journey to become an English teacher will begin in classes held on our Warrensburg campus. You’ll complete half of your coursework in UCM’s College of Education, where you’ll be established as a student of our Secondary Education program. The other half will be specific to the English concentration and fall under UCM’s School of English and Philosophy.

Popular courses for UCM’s English Teacher degree

Among the wide variety of topics you’ll explore, students often tell us they enjoy these UCM English Education courses:

  • Classroom Management in Secondary English/Language Arts and Assessment in Secondary English/Language Arts: These classes will help you develop strategies for teaching students, as well as provide strategies for assessing their learning. 
  • Composition and Evaluation: This undergraduate class provides opportunities to practice teaching, issue assignments and evaluate student work.
  • Literature for Adolescents: In this course, plan to read contemporary and classic young adult literature. Then, we’ll explore ways to bring those texts into the classroom.

All courses are taught by current and former English teachers who understand the challenges and triumphs ahead of you. After completing your English Teacher degree from UCM, you’ll be ready to take the state certification exam for teaching grades 9 through 12.

 

Excellence in Secondary Education

  • Missouri school administrators consistently rank UCM graduates and first-year secondary education teachers better prepared than the state average. Get an accredited and well-recognized English Teacher degree from the University of Central Missouri.
  • UCM has held accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) longer than any other Missouri public institution. Through our commitment to research and development of our Secondary Education program, you can be confident in the quality of your English teacher degree.
  • Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • A Most Focused Bachelor's Degree College for Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • A Most Focused College for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 4.5%: Most Popular Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 5%: Most Popular Bachelor' Degree Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 10%: Best Value in Education (College Factual, 2021)

 

Unique learning opportunities for English Teacher degree students

Your coursework to become an English teacher will offer hands-on experience in multiple aspects of teaching and classroom management. Still, at the University of Central Missouri, we know a sizable portion of your learning happens outside of our classrooms. Your opportunities include:

  • Field experiences: Expect to complete three field experiences in a high school classroom. You’ll plan and teach multiple mini-lessons within these placements. You’ll also get feedback from your instructors and cooperating teachers to help prepare you for student teaching in your final semester.
  • Student organizations: Consider joining one of UCM’s student associations for additional learning opportunities and fun. Among them are the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society and Student Missouri State Teachers Association.

 

What can you do with an English Teacher degree from UCM?

Because English courses are required for high school students, English teachers are always in demand. In fact, the recent job placement rate has been 100% for students who graduated with UCM’s Secondary Education degree for English Education.

UCM’s proximity to Kansas City means that many graduates teach grades 9 to 12 there, or you may prefer one of Missouri’s smaller school districts.

Understanding your opportunities as an English teacher

To get a head start in understanding what the current job market offers, we’ve provided the interactive tool below.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your English Teacher degree

The University of Central Missouri is committed to maintaining affordable rates for our students. Our average tuition cost is less than many other four-year colleges across the country. Still, investing in your education is an investment in your future as an English teacher. 

What resources are available to you?

To help finance your education, UCM offers information on loans, grants and work study opportunities. Scholarships are also available to students pursuing an English Teacher degree. These include:

  • G.B. Crump Scholarship in English
  • Hazel D. Book Memorial Scholarship
  • Mary Ruth Scott Memorial Scholarship
  • McKean Family Scholarship
  • Robert J. Greef Award

Learn more about these program scholarships, as well as those available through UCM or its College of Education, using the UCM Scholarship Finder.

 

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Take your degree further.

If you decide to continue at UCM for graduate education, your BSE degree in English provides a good foundation for these master’s programs:

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Make yourself more marketable.

Hone your writing skills or understand student behavior when you choose one of the following UCM minors, among others: 

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Explore programs related to English teaching.

If you have an interest in teaching, you may also want to explore these UCM bachelor’s degrees:

 

Request Info   Visit   Apply Today!

 

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