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English with Teacher Licensure (7-12)

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Combine your love of English with your passion for teaching and enjoy a rewarding career in education by earning your English degree with teacher licensure.

UAFS’s Bachelor of Science in English with teacher licensure (grades 7-12) program provides an in-depth curriculum, taught by accomplished English and Education faculty. The teacher licensure portion of your program blends advanced theory with hands-on experience to ensure you are prepared to lead your classroom upon graduation. Students must be admitted to the teacher education program through the School of Education, which has a separate admission application.

Earning your B.S. in English with teacher licensure prepares you for a rewarding and challenging career as an English educator. You will become a highly qualified teacher for the state of Arkansas upon successful completion of this program. A degree in English with teacher licensure opens many doors locally and abroad. Many UAFS graduates continue their formal education by completing master and doctoral degrees at highly recognized universities. 
 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for high school teachers is expected to be slightly greater than the pace of the general economy well through 2031. Combine this expected growth with 2022 annual median salaries of $62,360, and you can see why so many choose to enter this rewarding career field.

Format

On Campus

Credit Hours

120

Degree Plan

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Master's Degree

A Master of Education demonstrates your commitment to education with a higher level of expertise, enabling upward mobility in the profession and improved earning potential. The M.Ed. program is intended for current classroom teachers already in the workforce who desire professional advancement as well as recent teacher licensure graduates who want to advance their knowledge and further academic preparation prior to entering the workforce. The English (MELA) emphasis area is designed for 4-8 or 7-12 teachers certified to teach English who are seeking to increase their knowledge in English content and pedagogy. Candidates following this pathway will take 12 hours of core coursework and 18 hours of English content courses.  Click here for Master of Education program and application information.

Certificates of Proficiency

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
This 15-credit hour program provides a curriculum designed for those who teach English as a second language domestically and abroad. Courses include Language and Culture, Second Language Acquisition, English Grammar, and Intermediate Spanish II. By completing this coursework and the state-required PRAXIS Assessment, licensed teachers can add an ESL endorsement to their Arkansas teaching license.

Spanish for the Helping Professions
This 9-credit hour program provides curriculum designed for those how in helping professions such as human services, health care organizations, educators, and others. Courses include Intermediate Spanish I, II, and Spanish for the Professions. Beginning Spanish I and II, or required placement scores are prerequisites for Intermediate Spanish I.

Scholarship Opportunity

Gordon Kelley Language Study Scholarship Endowment
Award: Up to $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,500 per semester)

This scholarship opportunity is offered through the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Foundation to students who:

  • are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours at UAFS
  • have completed at least 60 credit hours (junior or senior standing)
  • have a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • are majoring in English, English with teacher licensure, or Spanish
  • application deadline: March 15th

The Gordon Kelley Language Study Endowment application is available through Lion's SHARE  Contact your academic advisor or Dr. Carol Westcamp-Sessums for additional information.

Upon successful completion of the English program, you will be able to:

  • produce research and/or creative projects in literary analysis, rhetorical analysis, cultural studies, pedagogy, and/or digital humanities and/or texts.
  • apply knowledge about literature, rhetoric, critical approaches, cultural studies, publication, and rhetorical and/or literary theory.
  • analyze cultural texts via close reading.
  • examine how the production and reception of language and text are influenced by differences of form, culture, and identity.

In addition to the above, upon successful completion of the English B.S. with Teacher Licensure 7-12 program, candidates will also be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of and respect for diverse learners in planning for and learning to plan instruction that fosters an inclusive learning environment.
  • demonstrate knowledge of and theoretical perspectives on texts (variety of media and genres), composition (variety of media, print, digital, audio, video, visual, and genre), and language (acquisition, conventions, dialect, grammar systems, and rhetoric).
  • demonstrate knowledge of and theoretical perspectives on texts (variety of media and genres), composition (variety of media, print, digital, audio, video, visual, and genre), and language (acquisition, conventions, dialect, grammar systems, and rhetoric).
  • apply knowledge of critical theories and pedagogical practice to texts, composition, and language by planning coherent, relevant, standards-aligned, differentiated instruction and assessment.
  • implement planned instruction that is designed to motivate and engage all learners.
  • reflect on practices and demonstrate readiness for leadership, professional learning, and advocacy.

 

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