English (4-8, Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Arts
Program Overview
The English degrees at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which include the BA in English, MA in English, MA in English as a Second Language, and MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, cultivate in students scholarly and creative achievement through graduate and undergraduate courses in literature, language, rhetoric and composition, creative writing, and secondary English language arts. We promote student literacy – specifically the abilities to read, write, and think critically – as well as an appreciation for the English language. We encourage faculty to pursue excellence in teaching, foster collegiality, contribute scholarly research, and engage in service to the university and Rio Grande Valley community. The English degrees, as a collaboration among the Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies, the Department of Writing and Language Studies, and the Creative Writing Program in the College of Fine Arts, support culturally responsive pedagogy and community engagement. A student with an English major possesses skills in critical thinking, writing, and reading. English majors can enter professions such as teaching, writing, editing, media production, the law, public service, and advocacy, and they are prepared for continued graduate or professional study.
Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.
- Admission to the Teacher Education Program at the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability is required for completion of teacher certification requirements with the undergraduate degree. All admission requirements are in accordance to Texas Administrative Code rules §227.10 and the HEA Title II accountability requirements. All applicants must meet the current certification requirements in effect at the time of application, regardless of the catalog year of degree plan. For current admission requirements, application process and timeline visit the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability admissions site.
Progression requirements for this program.
- Teacher Education Program progression requirements include GPA, course grades, certification courses, benchmarks/key assessments and testing. Admission to the Clinical Teaching Program is required for successful completion of the teacher education program. For current clinical teaching program admission, application process and timeline visit the Office of Educator Preparation Accountability clinical teaching site.
Note: This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.
Core Curriculum - 42 hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.
Major Requirements - 60 hours
Required Courses - 12 hours
English Foundation - 6 hours
Linguistics - 3 hours
Creative Writing - 3 hours
Prescribed Electives - 15 hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Except for core curriculum courses, such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.
Literature - 9 hours
Literature Survey - Choose one from:
Genre /Theme - Choose one from:
Period /Single Author - Choose one from:
Linguistics - 3 hours
Choose one from:
Rhetorical Writing - 3 hours
Choose one from:
English Language Arts/Reading Concentration - 33 hours
Certain courses below appear in more than one section of the degree plan. The courses and related credit hours can only be applied only once to the degree.
Children's/School Literature - 6 hours
| ENGL 3337 | Children's and Adolescent Literature |
| ENGL 4338 | Teaching Secondary School Literature |
Language - 3 hours
Choose from:
Writing - 3 hours
Choose from:
Literature Survey - 3 hours
Choose from:
English Language Arts and Reading (4-8) Certification Preparation - 18 hours
| READ 3320 | Early Literacy Development |
| READ 3324 | Reading Comprehension and Assessment |
| READ 4332 | Literacy Assessment at the Secondary Level |
| READ 4341 | Media Literacies for Secondary ELA/R Teachers |
| READ 4343 | Literacy, Culture, and Diverse Learners |
| READ 4344 | Writing, Inquiry and Research in the Secondary ELA/R Classroom |
Teacher Certification - 24 hours
Area of Certification: English Language Arts and Reading (4-8)
| EDFR 2301 | Intercultural Context of Schooling |
| EDUC 3301 | The Teaching Profession and Student Learning in Contemporary Schools |
| EDUC 3302 | Knowledge of Student Development and Learning |
| EDUC 3304 | Instructional Planning and Assessment in Culturally Sustaining Classrooms |
| EDUC 3306 | Evidence-Based Teaching in Positive Learning Environments |
| READ 4305 | Disciplinary Literacy in the Classroom |
| EDUC 4611 | Student Teaching Secondary or All-Level |
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 126
View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.
UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.
Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.