B.A. in Secondary Education | English Education (9-12)

Learning Outcomes

• Teacher candidates will demonstrate knowledge of English language arts subject matter content that specifically includes literature and multimedia texts as well as knowledge of the nature of adolescents as readers.
• Teacher candidates will demonstrate knowledge of English language arts subject matter content that specifically includes language and writing as well as knowledge of adolescents as language users.
  
• Teacher candidates will be able to plan instruction and design assessments for reading and the study of literature to promote learning for all students.
  
• Students will be able to plan instruction and design assessments for composing texts (i.e., oral, written, and visual) to promote learning for all students.
  
• Teacher candidates will be able to plan, implement, assess and reflect on research-based instruction that increases motivation and active student engagement, builds sustained learning of English language arts and responds to diverse students' context-based needs.
  
• Teacher candidates will demonstrate knowledge of how theories and research about social justice, diversity, equity, student identities and schools as institutions can enhance students' opportunities to learn in English language arts.
  
• Teacher candidates will be prepared to interact knowledgeably with students, families and colleagues based on social needs and institutional roles, engage in leadership and/or collaborative roles in English language arts professional learning communities and actively develop as professional educators.

120 credit hours are required for Bachelor of Arts degree. The Secondary Education track in the English major prepares students to teach English Language Arts in high school. The major consists of a variety of English courses in literature, linguistics, and writing. Detailed course information can be found in the academic catalog. Students should use Academic Planning on the mySXU portal to schedule courses and track degree progress.

Suggested four year academic plan for the major (courses required in the major are in bold)

Please consult with your academic advisor prior to course selection.

Career Outlook

The Secondary Education Program prepares individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which may include grades nine through twelve, depending on the school system or state regulations. Courses may include preparation to teach a comprehensive curriculum or specific subject matter.

To find out more about your major including potential areas and employers, required skills, job outlook, and median pay, please access the Occupational Outlook Handbook or the O*Net websites.

Explore the subsections below to learn more about the potential skills a student with a secondary education major can develop as well as the potential positions, areas, and employers that hire students with this degree. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.

Skills

As a secondary education major, you will develop an in-depth understanding of your content area. Additionally, students may develop advance skills including communication, patience, creativity, enthusiasm, confidence, dedication, conflict resolution, organization, classroom management, time management, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork.

Positions

Graduates with a degree in secondary education can work as teachers, ELL specialists, textbook salespersons, instructional technologists, direct service and grant writers.

Areas

Graduates with a degree in secondary education can work in teaching, research, sales, administration, literacy development, adult and continuing education and fundraising/development.

Employers

Graduates with a degree in secondary education can work for public, private, magnet, or charter schools, professional associations, test preparation companies, international schools, publishers, museums, zoos, religious organizations, correctional institutions, higher education, nonprofit and park districts.

Use the employment opportunity resources listed below to kickstart your preprofessional or professional experience search. You may also identify a professional or student organization to join in order to network with individuals within your major and field.

Employment Opportunities

• Archdiocese of Chicago
• Chicago Park District
• Chicago Public Schools
• iHireSecondaryTeachers
• Illinois Education Job Bank
• Illinois State Board of Education
• Joliet Diocese
• Lake County School Districts
• North Suburban Cook County School Districts
• Oak Lawn Park District
• K12JobSpot
• U.S. Department of Education
• Will County School Districts

Professional and Student Organizations

• American Association for Employment in Education
• American Association of School Administrators
• American Educational Research Association
• American Federation of Teachers
• American Library Association
• American School Counselor Association
• Association of American Educators
• Association of Teacher Educators
• Council for Exceptional Children
• International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
• National Education Association
• Education Club at SXU