English Education (Single Subject Teaching Preparation)

If you are considering becoming an English teacher at the secondary (middle or high school) level, this concentration starts you on that path.

English Education Faculty

Theresa Burruel Stone, Jennifer Johnson

General Information

This concentration follows a specific outline of courses, one that has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), the credentialing agency of the state government. It is known as a “waiver program” because it waives the requirement to take the subject matter examination known as the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers).

If you do not follow an approved waiver program, you will be required to pass the subject matter examination to be credentialed in any subject. For more information on the content of the examinations and a list of study resources, consult the CSET Website.

The preparation for secondary school teaching is quite different from preparation for teaching at the community college or university level. Public school teaching requires a credential, which is obtained in a year of study and practice teaching in a credential program after the completion of a BA Teaching at the community college requires an MA in your subject matter, while teaching at the college level typically requires a PhD in English. The literature concentration is the best preparation for this type of study.

If you are not sure whether you will enter a credential program or go to another type of postgraduate program, don’t panic. You can take courses that fulfill requirements in both concentrations until you are sure.

Key Information about program Requirements

Please click on links below for information about requirements:

• English Education Concentration Worksheet (PDF)
• English Education Pathways (PDF)
• What is Early Field Experience? (PDF)
• Early Field Experience Hours Verification form (PDF)

Looking ahead: Getting your teaching credential

At the beginning of the last spring semester of our program, students can apply to SSU’s credential program. There are two main prerequisites to be completed in order to be accepted:

1. Two education courses: EDUC/EDSS 417 (also fulfills upper division GE area D) and EDSS 418
2. 45 hours of early field experience

If you plan on entering credential programs at other institutions, please check their pre-requisites, which may differ.