Bachelor of Arts English with a Major in Secondary English Education (6-12) (BA)
Heather Weddington, Chief Departmental Advisor
Michelle Fowler-Amato, Director of English Teacher Education
This program leads to eligibility for teacher licensure in Virginia. Licensure in English prepares students for a full range of secondary school teaching assignments. The program is accredited by the State of Virginia; in addition, Virginia has licensure reciprocity agreements with thirty other states, should the student leave Virginia.
The program combines the usual requirements of a college major. Students take courses in Old Dominion University’s College of Arts and Letters and Darden College of Education and Professional Studies.
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major.
Language and Culture: BA students must have competence through the 202 level; competence is not met by completion of the associate degree.
Impact of Technology: met in the major with ENGL 307T.
Upper-Division General Education
Satisfied through the professional education sequence.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C , and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better, completion of the Senior Assessment; a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA in the major area and in the professional education core with no grade less than a C in the major/content and with no grade less than a C- in the professional education core; successful completion of the Teacher Candidate Internship; and a minimum of 120 credit hours, which must include both a minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
Licensure requirements also include certificate of completion in First Aid/AED/CPR, Dyslexia Awareness Training, Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training, and Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Cultural Competence Training.
Due to changing University requirements, national accreditation standards, and the Virginia Board of Education licensure regulations, the teacher education programs in the College of Arts and Letters are under constant revision. Any changes resulting from these factors supersede the program requirements described in this Catalog. Students are encouraged to obtain current program information from their advisors and from the Office of Clinical Experiences website at www.odu.edu/oce.
Secondary English Education (6-12) Major**
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (met in the major through professional education coursework) | ||
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-6 | |
| Secondary English Education (6-12) | ||
| ENGL 307T | Digital Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 327W | Advanced Composition * | 3 |
| ENGL 333 | Introduction to Critical Theory | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Rhetorical Studies | ||
| English Linguistics | ||
| Required Literature Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to British Literature I | ||
| Introduction to British Literature II | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Literature to 1860 | ||
| American Literature Since 1860 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Literature I | ||
| World Literature II | ||
| Contemporary World Literature | ||
| New Literatures in English | ||
| Additional Requirements for the Major: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Jewish Writers * | ||
| New Literatures in English * | ||
| Women Writers * | ||
| Native American Literature * | ||
| African American Literature * | ||
| Asian American Literature * | ||
| ENGL 350 | Aspects of the English Language | 3 |
| 300-/400-Level ENGL Electives (see elective options below) | 6 | |
| ENGL 406 | The Teaching of Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 455 | The Teaching of Composition, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Professional Education Courses | ||
| TLED 301 | Foundations and Introduction to Assessment of Education | 3 |
| TLED 360 | Classroom Management and Discipline | 2 |
| TLED 408 | Reading and Writing in Content Areas | 3 |
| TLED 430W | PK-12 Instructional Technology | 3 |
| TLED 451 | Developing Instructional Strategies for Teaching in the Middle/High School: English | 3 |
| TLED 483 | Seminar in Teacher Education | 1 |
| TLED 485 | Teacher Candidate Internship | 12 |
| SPED 313 | Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence | 3 |
| SPED 400 | Foundations of Special Education: Legal Aspects and Characteristics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 110-122 | |
- *
Grade of C or better required
- **
Courses may only meet one program requirement.
300-/400-Level Electives
Students will select one area of focus for electives: Language, Literary and Cultural Studies, or Writing. Both electives must be taken from the same area of focus.
Language: ENGL 368, ENGL 369, ENGL 370, ENGL 371W, ENGL 390, ENGL 395, ENGL 396, ENGL 440, ENGL 442, ENGL 443, ENGL 444, ENGL 445, ENGL 447, ENGL 450, ENGL 468, ENGL 494, ENGL 495, ENGL 496, ENGL 497, ENGL 498
Literary and Cultural Studies: ENGL 301, ENGL 302, ENGL 303, ENGL 304, ENGL 340, ENGL 342, ENGL 345, ENGL 346, ENGL 349, ENGL 360, ENGL 363, ENGL 368, ENGL 369, ENGL 385, ENGL 395, ENGL 396, ENGL 407, ENGL 416, ENGL 418W, ENGL 419, ENGL 421, ENGL 423, ENGL 432, ENGL 433, ENGL 438, ENGL 441, ENGL 447, ENGL 448, ENGL 453, ENGL 459W, ENGL 461, ENGL 463W, ENGL 464W, ENGL 465W, ENGL 466W, ENGL 468, ENGL 492, ENGL 493, ENGL 494, ENGL 495, ENGL 496
Writing: ENGL 300W, ENGL 325, ENGL 334W, ENGL 335, ENGL 338, ENGL 351, ENGL 352, ENGL 354, ENGL 355, ENGL 368, ENGL 369, ENGL 396, ENGL 427W, ENGL 435W, ENGL 436, ENGL 439, ENGL 449, ENGL 451, ENGL 452, ENGL 454, ENGL 456, ENGL 457, ENGL 468, ENGL 484, ENGL 485W, ENGL 494, ENGL 495, ENGL 496, ENGL 497, ENGL 498
Additional Requirements and Information
Admission
All students must apply for and be admitted into the approved secondary English education program. Students must meet the required criteria for admission as described below.
Prescribed Virginia Board of Education Assessment for Admission to an Approved Teacher Education Program
Old Dominion University students seeking admission to an approved teacher education program must satisfy the Virginia Board of Education required assessment for admission into an approved teacher education program.
For the most current information on the prescribed Virginia Board of Education admission assessment, visit the Virginia Department of Education at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/.
Required grade point averages (GPA)
-
A cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required.
-
A major/content GPA of 2.75 is required – all upper-division English courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. Lower-division and English W courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
-
A professional education GPA of 2.75 is required – all professional education courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.
Although students may enroll in a limited number of education courses, students must be admitted into the approved secondary English education program prior to enrolling in any instructional strategies practicum education course.
Continuance
Students must maintain the required GPA and grades once they are accepted into the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies. Students must take and pass the Praxis Subject Assessment, English Language Arts content knowledge (test code #5038) prior to or while enrolled in the instructional strategies course. This assessment must be passed prior to the start of the Teacher Candidate Internship Orientation session.
Background Clearance Requirement
Old Dominion University requires a background clearance check of candidates interested in many of the professional education programs. Professional education programs have several field experiences that are required for continuance and graduation from the program. The background clearance must be successfully completed prior to a field experience placement. Candidates will be provided a field experience placement when the background check process is completed with resolution of any issues. The process to complete the ODU clearance background check is located at: http://www.odu.edu/success/academic/teacher-education/placement/background-checks. The ODU clearance process includes: an FBI fingerprint, a child protective service/social service review, and a Virginia State Police sex offender registry review. Candidates interested in the professional education programs are advised to complete this clearance process immediately upon entry into the program since the clearance process takes a minimum of eight weeks to complete.
Virginia Board of Education Prescribed Assessments for Licensure
-
Praxis Subject Assessment, English Language Arts content knowledge (test code #5038)--passing score of 167 required.
Students are encouraged to complete the following courses (or their approved equivalents in consultation with their advisor) prior to taking the Praxis content knowledge licensure test:
- Reading: ENGL 301 or ENGL 302, ENGL 333, ENGL 345 or ENGL 346, ENGL 360 or ENGL 363 or ENGL 459W or ENGL 493, ENGL 459W or ENGL 463W or ENGL 464W or ENGL 465W or ENGL 466W, ENGL 406, TLED 408
- Language Use and Vocabulary: ENGL 350, ENGL 325 or ENGL 370
- Writing, Speaking, and Listening: ENGL 307T, ENGL 327W, ENGL 455, TLED 408
While we highlight courses that are most likely to support students in developing particular disciplinary understandings, English content knowledge is developed across required literature, composition, linguistics and English/literacy pedagogy courses. Please consult with your academic advisor with any questions and before registering for your licensure test.
To review more information on the Virginia Board of Education prescribed assessments, visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website, www.odu.edu/oce.
Advising
To declare an English major or minor, students must see the English chief departmental advisor (CDA). The CDA will assign each major to a faculty advisor. All English majors are required to have a conference with their English advisor before each semester (preferably during preregistration). The CDA will hold periodic group meetings with English majors to keep them fully informed.
Research Practicum
Students who wish to combine research and real-world experience can take ENGL 369 Research Practicum.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 1-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Language and Culture III | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| TLED 301 | Foundations and Introduction to Assessment of Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Language and Culture IV | 3 | |
| ENGL 327W | Advanced Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| ENGL 302 or ENGL 346 |
Introduction to British Literature II + or American Literature Since 1860 |
3 |
| SPED 313 | Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 301 or ENGL 345 |
Introduction to British Literature I + or American Literature to 1860 |
3 |
| ENGL 325 or ENGL 370 |
Introduction to Rhetorical Studies or English Linguistics |
3 |
| ENGL 333 | Introduction to Critical Theory | 3 |
| TLED 430W | PK-12 Instructional Technology | 3 |
| 300-/400-Level ENGL Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following (Grade of C or better in at least one W course required): | 3 | |
| Jewish Writers | ||
| New Literatures in English | ||
| Women Writers | ||
| Native American Literature | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Asian American Literature | ||
| ENGL 307T | Digital Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 350 | Aspects of the English Language | 3 |
| ENGL 455 | The Teaching of Composition, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| TLED 360 | Classroom Management and Discipline | 2 |
| 300-/400-Level ENGL Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Literature I | ||
| World Literature II | ||
| New Literatures in English | ||
| Contemporary World Literature | ||
| ENGL 406 | The Teaching of Literature | 3 |
| SPED 400 | Foundations of Special Education: Legal Aspects and Characteristics | 3 |
| TLED 408 | Reading and Writing in Content Areas | 3 |
| TLED 451 | Developing Instructional Strategies for Teaching in the Middle/High School: English | 3 |
| TLED 483 | Seminar in Teacher Education | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| TLED 485 | Teacher Candidate Internship | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-122 | |