Deepen your understanding of language, composition, and literature while becoming skilled in reflective teaching for middle and high school. You’ll integrate theories of language and literature, literature's content and meaning, and methods of teaching, while also experiencing supervised student teaching placements in NYC schools. You'll graduate eligible for initial teaching certification in New York State.
Degree Details
Official Degree Title
Bachelor of Science in Teaching English, Grades 7–12, Initial Certification
Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
128
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadlines
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 2
Regular Decision
Internal Transfer Applications
Transfer Applications
Our nationally recognized faculty members are deeply committed to bringing out the creative voices of student teachers through writing and literature. You will work closely with them to learn:
- The relationship between the reader, the literary work, and the writer
- How to integrate reading, writing, English, and history in the classroom
- Approaches, theories, and practical strategies for teaching middle and high school students
- English and literature core content, specialized pedagogical core, and liberal arts core curriculum
A Broad Liberal Arts Curriculum
Combine a broad liberal arts education with specialized course work in literature, composition, teaching English, and pedagogy. You'll take a wide range of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, developing an interdisciplinary approach to English education.
Pursue a Special Interest
Our degree encourages small-group collaboration in learning. You'll have the option to pursue projects and other learning experiences relevant to your course work, and will have frequent opportunities to develop your creative potential through writing poetry, short stories, and plays in your courses. There are also numerous campus literary publications that welcome your participation.
Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placements
You will complete two semesters of classroom observation in New York City public schools in your junior year, and two semesters of student teaching in your senior year, honing your own teaching techniques and instructional plans under the close supervision of an experienced teacher and a member of our faculty.
This program leads to eligibility for New York State initial teaching certification, as well as permitting you to teach English in grades 5 and 6. You will graduate ready to take on roles in:
- Secondary school English education, grades 7–12
- Editing and publishing
- Journalism
- Corporate communications and technical writing
Recent graduates have obtained positions at New York City schools including Quest to Learn, Essex Street Academy, and Salk School of Science; in children's television at CBS; and as editors at publishing houses. Many graduates also pursue master's or doctoral degrees in English education and related fields.
Learn more about teacher certification and our degree's accreditation.
My professors at NYU have had a profound impact on my approach to teaching and learning. Dr. Sarah Beck introduced me to dialogic assessment–a think-aloud approach to writing instruction–and it has been an invaluable tool that I use to provide students with feedback on their writing. Dr. Scott Storm’s incredible influence as a veteran NYC DOE teacher helped shape the social justice-oriented classroom management and curriculum planning skills I have. His emphasis on constructivism, intellectual rigor, and fun in every single lesson plan is a standard of excellence I aspire to as a teacher every day.
— Jacqueline LeKachman, BS '23
Scholarships for Master's Study
If you’re interested in graduate study, we offer generous scholarships for advanced study to graduating seniors who want to continue on for a master's degree in NYU Steinhardt's Department of Teaching and Learning.
Questions
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Sarah W. Beck, Program Director at sarah.beck@nyu.edu.
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