Can you name a teacher who made a difference in your life? How about a book that changed the way you think? The English secondary education major will give you the knowledge and skills needed to bring those experiences to other students. Not sure you want to be a classroom teacher? You’ll still gain valuable experience in schools, which will prepare you for other kinds of jobs, such as nonprofit youth literacy organizations or other educational nonprofits. Our alumni have used their knowledge and classroom experience to obtain full-time employment with organizations like 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Literacy Lab.
If you’re interested in sharing your love of language, literature and writing with others, this is the major for you. In four years, you’ll not only have completed all the requirements for graduation, but also for teacher certification in West Virginia. You’ll have spent many hours in local schools, observing, tutoring and student teaching and will be ready to apply for teaching positions or jobs in other educational settings.
To gain hands-on professional experience, English secondary education majors often work as tutors in the Eberly College Writing Studio, volunteer with the Appalachian Prison Book Project and join WVU’s student chapter of the National Council of Teachers of English, which provides opportunities for students to present at conferences.
To meet the faculty and advisors that you will guide your studies, visit the program website.
