Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English for Secondary Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English for Secondary Education
journey today.
Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education is designed to help prepare aspiring English teachers to meet the challenges of the modern secondary education classroom. Graduates who successfully complete state certification requirements can be qualified to teach students in grades 6-12. This bachelor’s degree in English is a joint program offered by GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education.
Secondary English teachers have opportunities to equip their students with tools that can enable them to pursue achievements later in life. As an aspiring English teacher, you can help your students learn how to communicate in a way that facilitates career success.1 You can introduce students to the great works of literature and encourage them to explore many different perspectives.
The BA in English program provides a comprehensive survey of data-driven instructional practice, multicultural literature, professional responsibility and more. You can explore best practices for connecting with your students, engaging them with works of literature, and conducting assessments. During the student teaching experience, you have the opportunity to apply what you’ve been taught in classroom settings.
This bachelor’s degree is available via online classes. The online courses are designed to optimize your distance learning experience by providing opportunities for digital discussions with your fellow learners and instructors. You can enjoy the same quality of instruction when earning an online bachelor’s degree in English as you would on campus, but with the added flexibility and convenience of online coursework.2
If you prefer a more traditional learning environment, you may choose to pursue your English degree on GCU’s campus. This option provides in-person instruction and peer connection as well as access to GCU’s Student Success Center and campus life activities.
Admission Requirements
GCU welcomes future middle and high school English teachers to apply for admission. Accepted applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirements or qualifying standardized test scores. Additional eligibility criteria may be required.
The BA in English program includes classroom instruction and hands-on experience via the practicum and the student teaching experience. Graduates are expected to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, and the ability to think critically about texts of varying media. Comprehension and interpretation of diverse artistic expressions are key skills for this degree program. You will examine the major issues and themes that are central to humanity, as expressed in literature. The bachelor’s in English program emphasizes the comprehension and practical application of methodologies and classroom techniques that support instruction to adolescents.
Some of the content areas you will explore include:
The legal, historical and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI)
SEI for English language learners, with the role of culture in knowledge acquisition
American poetry and prose, from early American literature to American Romanticism
Multicultural and global literature and its cultural and historical contexts
Plays and their cultural contexts from ancient Greece to 20th century Europe, Shakespeare emphasis
Teaching writing, grammar and linguistics with data-driven methodologies
Creating, nurturing and managing positive and productive classrooms
The application of creative writing techniques and strategies across major genres
Examine Core Domains and Competencies for Teaching
In this Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education program, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate competency in these core domains:
This bachelor’s in English program leads to initial teacher licensure. You are required to obtain all necessary certifications from the state in which you plan to teach. To further enhance your career qualifications, you may decide to pursue a graduate degree in education.
You may find teaching to be a meaningful and personally fulfilling career, as it can allow you the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.
With a firm foundation of English teaching competencies, and by meeting state certification requirements, you may be positioned to pursue a career as a:
Middle school English teacher
High school English teacher
English as a second language (ESL) teacher
Private tutor
The BA in English for Secondary Education at GCU is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) for its commitment to prepare effective educators through quality programming.
At GCU, you can explore education best practices and ethical responsibilities in the classroom under the guidance of instructors who are knowledgeable in their fields, and who are committed to fostering a dedication to lifelong learning. GCU stands by our curriculum quality standards and is proud to be an institutionally accredited university through the Higher Learning Commission since 1968.
Bachelor’s in English for Secondary Education FAQs
The decision to pursue a career in education can be a meaningful one, but it’s important to make a fully informed decision about your future. Use the following frequently asked questions and answers to help guide your decision-making process.
Earning a degree in English that leads to initial teacher licensure may be worth it if you’re genuinely passionate about both the content area and the career direction. In other words, you should genuinely enjoy both reading and analyzing literature, and you should have a passion for encouraging others to connect with literature. Enthusiasm for literature and an authentic desire to teach are just two of the important character traits for aspiring secondary English teachers.
It’s also helpful to understand that students need to be challenged to tackle difficult texts, to experience different perspectives and to have plenty of time for writing practice.3 If you’re eager to connect with the next generation in this way, then a degree in English for secondary education can be worth it for you.
A BA in English degree program will challenge you to expand your literary horizons, such as by reading and analyzing texts both mainstream and not as well-known. It’s important to note that, although a survey of multicultural literature through the ages is a significant component of this program, it’s by no means the only one.
You’ll also be expected to examine evidence-based instructional methodologies, adolescent development and classroom management strategies. This degree program requires a great deal of reading, writing and thoughtful analysis.
A bachelor’s degree in English can allow you to pursue state licensure as an English teacher. With a focus on secondary education, you may be positioned to apply for jobs teaching English in public or private middle and high schools.
Teaching English in a traditional classroom setting isn’t the only option for graduates with a BA in English for Secondary Education degree. You might also consider pursuing an online teaching job. Online English teachers may teach in online-only grade 6-12 schools or they may be an online tutor. Another possibility is teaching English to English language learners abroad.
Teaching English online may offer more flexibility and convenience, and better work/life balance. It may also offer more opportunities to travel while still meeting your professional obligations.4
Start Your Journey Today
Pursue your passion for education and your desire to empower the next generation of learners. Fill out the form on this page and learn more about GCU’s BA in English for Secondary Education degree program.
Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.
1 eTools4Education. (n.d.). High School English Teachers. Retrieved Oct. 12, 2023.
2 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.
3 Tharby, A. (n.d.). The 6 Essential Ingredients of Great English Teaching in Secondary School. Teachwire. Retrieved Oct. 12, 2023.
4 Gascoigne, T. (2020, July 15). Is Teaching English Online Worth It? 5 Things You Need to Know. Teachaway. Retrieved Oct. 12, 2023.