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English (Secondary Education), BA

Engage high school students with young adult literature, Shakespeare, composition and digital literacy in this program, gaining hands-on experience through professional field placements and student teaching, preparing you for Arizona teacher certification and entry into a high-demand field.

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A student presents to a classroom, developing teaching skills in ASU's English (Secondary Education), BA program.

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: General program math intensity general
First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
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Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation and professional licensure

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

English (Secondary Education) degree description

The Bachelor of Arts program in English with a concentration in secondary education provides rigorous content in literature, composition, linguistics and secondary teaching, extensively preparing you to meet the needs of all learner populations. In particular, the program gives you strategies for teaching a range of academic abilities and classrooms with cultural and linguistic diversity.

You finish the program with Arizona Department of Education certification for middle and high school English language arts. Both a fingerprint clearance and a background check are required in the second year of the program.

In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you're interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

Why specialize in English and secondary education at ASU?

At ASU, you'll join one of the nation's leading English Education programs and learn from faculty whose teaching, scholarship and professional leadership shape English language arts education across Arizona and the country.

Beyond the classroom, you can take part in undergraduate research, youth writing initiatives, community literacy programs and professional organizations, forming meaningful connections that support your academic and professional growth.

Additional details

Accelerate your education through ASU's accelerated master's option, where you can earn your bachelor's degree and a master's degree in English education in as few as five years.

Get to know the English (Secondary Education) degree at ASU

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Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
ENG 110 Approaching Big Problems
ENG 300 Your Degree in the World
ENG 213 Introduction to the Study of Language
ENG 221 English Literature to 1800
ENG 222 English Literature, 1800 to Present
ENG 241 Literatures of the United States to 1860

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Analyze current and historic issues in connection to teaching English language arts in secondary schools.
  • Develop curriculum using English language arts content and pedagogical practices.
  • Develop lesson plans for English language integrating best practices for limiting common learning problems

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:


Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Students who wish to pursue a future in education must understand the diverse sets of experiences, backgrounds and cultures that can shape the students in their classrooms. Students can gain firsthand experience of a wide variety of cultures and communities when they enhance their English degree with a Global Education program. With a diverse set of students and interests, the Department of English seeks to work with all students to create an international experience that meets their individual needs and goals.

In addition to providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to build their skills in a distinct environment, Global Education programs help them stand out in the job market long after graduation.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in English with a concentration in secondary education.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Communications Specialist -0.3% $76,910
Editor -1.1% $77,920
English Professor 0.0% $78,760
Freelance Writer -0.3% $76,910
High School Teacher -0.2% $72,040
Public Relations Specialist 1.8% $74,750
Technical Writer 0.8% $90,390

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this secondary education concentration prepares you for

Graduates have tremendous opportunities for employment. Certified teachers continue to be in high demand in Arizona, and Arizona State University provides more of these teachers than any other institution of higher education.

After student teaching in school districts in the greater Phoenix area or within one of the 22 Native American nations in the state, graduates are often hired to teach in the same school where they completed their internship.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

Department of English | RBHL 170
englishadvising@asu.edu
480-965-3168

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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