The English/Language Arts Teaching Major, in combination with the Professional Education Program, prepares you for a teaching career at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels. Our program blends knowledge of English Studies with methods of teaching Language Arts, including courses on teaching multicultural literature, young adult literature, and writing.

Before you declare the major:

Complete your general education Composition and Literature requirements. These courses are not prerequisites, but we strongly recommended them as preparation. Community college students planning to transfer to CWU can take equivalent courses.

• Academic Writing I 
• Academic Writing II 
• Humanities Knowledge Area 

Please note: Completing these courses does not guarantee admission to Central Washington University or to the degree program.

Applying for the major:

Please apply to the major here. You will also need to contact the Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department. Your initial contact will be Corinne Grieve.

Questions about advising? Please contact Amber Hay via email or via her scheduling link, or reach out to CAHAdvising@cwu.edu.

Completing the English/Language Arts Teaching Major

Since the English/Language Arts Teaching Major and the Professional Education Program require a combined 120 credits, you will likely need more than two years to complete the program.

Take these courses early in your program:

• ENG 302 Poetry and Poetics
• ENG 303 Principles of English Studies
• ENG 222 Multicultural Literature for Teachers

Take these courses near the end of your program, prior to student teaching:

• ENG 422 Teaching Young Adult Literature
• ENG 430 Teaching Writing in the Secondary School
• ENG 488 Teaching Portfolio
• ENG 492 Practicum

English 422, 430, and 492 are required prior to student teaching. English 430 and 492 must be taken concurrently. All other major requirements must be completed before or be completed concurrently with enrollment in ENG 488. Enrollment in ENG 488 is by permission.

Course of Study

Required Courses – Credits: 45

• ENG 222 – Multicultural Literature for Teachers (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II and admission to the English/Language Arts Teaching Major
• ENG 302 – Poetry and Poetics (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 303 – Principles of English Studies (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 320 – English Grammar (5)
• ENG 363 – Shakespeare (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 420 – English Linguistics (5) Prerequisite: ENG 320
• ENG 422 – Teaching Young Adult Literature (5) Prerequisite: EFC 340, PSY 314, ENG 302, and ENG 303, and admission into the Teacher Certification Program
• ENG 430 – Teaching Writing in the Secondary School (5) Prerequisite: EFC 340 and 28 credits of English courses / Co-requisite: Must enroll concurrently in ENG 488 and ENG 492
• ENG 488 – Teaching Portfolio (2) Prerequisite: Current WSP/FBI fingerprint clearance and admission to the Teacher Certification Program / Co-requisite: Must enroll concurrently in ENG 430 and ENG 492
• ENG 492 – Practicum (3) Prerequisite: Completed 28 English credits for English/Language Arts Teaching majors, full admission to the Teacher Certification Program, and current WSP/FBI fingerprint clearance / Co-requisite: Must enroll concurrently in ENG 430 and ENG 488.

Select one literary forms course – Credits: 5

• ENG/TH 380 – Studies in Drama (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 453 – Studies in Fiction (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303, or instructor permission
• ENG 454 – Studies in Nonfiction (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302, ENG 303, or instructor permission
• ENG 455 – Studies in Poetry (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303

Select two literature & history courses – Credits: 10

• ENG 371 – Literature & History I (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 372 – Literature & History II (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 373 – Literature & History III (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 374 – Literature & History IV (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303

Select one writing course – Credits: 5

• ENG 263 – Intro to Creative Writing (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 264 – Creative Writing and the Environment (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 265 – Creative Writing for Well-being (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 364 – Fiction Writing (5) Prerequisite: ENG 263 or ENG 264 or ENG 265
• ENG 365 – Poetry Writing (5) Prerequisite: ENG 263 or ENG 264 or ENG 265
• ENG 366 – Creative Nonfiction Writing (5) Prerequisite: ENG 263 or ENG 264 or ENG 265

Select one critical studies course – Credits: 5

• ENG 415 – Critical Studies in American Literature (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 417 – Critical Studies in World Literature (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 419 – Critical Studies in British Literature (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303

Total Credits: 70

Two-Year Schedule

See below for planned course offerings for the English/Language Arts Teaching Major.

The courses and course rotations are subject to change.

Sections in bold are offered online