B.A. in Creative Industries and Entrepreneurship
York College of Pennsylvania offers over 70 baccalaureate majors across professional pr...
B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12) - English
York, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Secondary Education (7-12) with a concentration in English at York College of Pennsylvania is a comprehensive program designed to prepare passionate educators who can inspire and effectively teach English language arts to students in grades 7 through 12. This program combines rigorous academic study in English literature, composition, and language with extensive professional training in pedagogy, classroom management, and educational psychology. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to obtain their teaching certification and thrive as highly effective and engaging English teachers, ready to cultivate critical thinking, analytical reading, and strong writing abilities in their future students.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12) - English is carefully structured to meet both the content area requirements for English and the professional education standards for teacher certification. Students delve into a rich array of English courses, including literary analysis, diverse literary periods (e.g., American, British, World Literature), rhetoric, composition, and language studies. Simultaneously, they complete professional education coursework covering topics such as adolescent development, educational psychology, instructional strategies, classroom management, assessment, and special education. A significant component of the curriculum involves extensive field experiences, culminating in a full semester of student teaching in a middle or high school classroom, providing invaluable hands-on practice under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers.
Research Focus: The "research focus" within the Secondary Education (7-12) - English program at York College is largely applied and pedagogical. While students engage in literary and textual research within their English content courses, the emphasis shifts to educational research methods within their professional education sequence. This includes researching effective teaching strategies for diverse learners, analyzing educational policies, evaluating classroom assessment techniques, and staying current with best practices in English language arts education. During student teaching and associated seminars, pre-service teachers often engage in action research or reflective inquiry on their own teaching practices, continually refining their pedagogical approaches based on evidence and student outcomes.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the Secondary Education program, robustly preparing students for careers in the K-12 education sector. The program places a strong emphasis on early and continuous field experiences, allowing students to observe and participate in middle and high school classrooms from their initial semesters. These experiences culminate in a mandatory full-time student teaching residency, where students assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher under expert supervision. York College maintains strong partnerships with local school districts, facilitating these placements and providing valuable networking opportunities. Faculty often have extensive experience as former educators, offering real-world insights and connections to the professional teaching community.
Global Perspective: The B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12) - English program at York College of Pennsylvania fosters a global perspective by preparing educators to teach in an increasingly interconnected world. The English curriculum itself often includes diverse literary works from various global traditions, encouraging students to explore different cultural perspectives and historical contexts through literature. Furthermore, contemporary educational practices increasingly emphasize global competence and cultural responsiveness in the classroom. While not explicitly detailed with study abroad requirements, the program prepares future teachers to create inclusive learning environments that acknowledge and value the diverse backgrounds of students, equipping them to teach global literature and foster global citizenship among their middle and high school students.
Location
York, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 26920
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 58 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
York College of Pennsylvania offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students in achieving their academic goals while easing financial burdens. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and other special talents among international applicants.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students applying to York College are considered for merit-based scholarships automatically during the admissions process. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall application strength. High-achieving students can receive significant tuition discounts, which help make studying in the U.S. more affordable.
International Student Scholarships: York College provides dedicated scholarships for international students, which may include renewable awards throughout the duration of their degree program. These scholarships acknowledge the diverse backgrounds and contributions international students bring to the campus community.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments at York College offer scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional performance or promise in their chosen field of study. International students are encouraged to explore these opportunities by contacting their academic departments directly.
York College of Pennsylvania's Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Secondary Education (7-12) with an English concentration is a highly practical and specialized program. It's meticulously designed to develop passionate and effective educators capable of teaching English language arts to middle and high school students.
Middle School English Teacher (Grades 7-8): Teaches English language arts, including reading, writing, grammar, and literature, to students in the middle school grades, focusing on foundational skills and fostering a love for reading.
High School English Teacher (Grades 9-12): Instructs high school students in literature, composition, grammar, and critical analysis, preparing them for college-level work and lifelong literacy. This often includes teaching specific literary periods, genres, or AP English courses.
Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach (with additional certification): Works with students who struggle with reading comprehension and fluency, providing targeted interventions. They may also coach other teachers on effective literacy instruction strategies within a school or district.
Curriculum Developer: Designs and revises educational curricula for English language arts programs at the district or state level, ensuring alignment with educational standards and best practices.
Educational Technology Specialist: Integrates technology into English language arts instruction, helping teachers utilize digital tools for teaching, learning, and content creation, and potentially developing digital learning resources.
Instructional Designer (Education Sector): Creates engaging and effective learning experiences, modules, or courses for educational institutions, often focusing on online or blended learning environments.
Private Tutor (English/Test Prep): Provides individualized or small-group tutoring in English literature, writing, grammar, or standardized test preparation (e.g., SAT, ACT, AP English) to students outside of the traditional classroom setting.
Educational Consultant: Advises schools, districts, or educational organizations on improving English language arts programs, teaching methodologies, or professional development for educators.
Youth Program Coordinator (with educational focus): Develops and leads educational programs for adolescents in non-profit organizations, community centers, or after-school programs, often with a literacy or communication emphasis.
School Administrator (Entry-Level/Future Roles): While requiring further graduate study and experience, the strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills developed in an education program serve as an excellent foundation for roles like Assistant Principal or Dean of Students.
