Prepare for a career in teaching English at the middle school or high school level. You'll be ready to earn your teaching credential and find work as a teacher.
Why Study English for Teaching?
Be prepared to become a teacher. With the English for Teaching major, you'll gain the knowledge to teach effectively in your future classroom. You'll study important works of literature and writing skills. You'll also learn how to manage a class and connect with your students. Be a part of expanding students' minds with the power of words.
Why Study English for Teaching at CSUN?
Credential Preparation
CSUN has one of the largest public university, education-credentialing programs in the state. This means you'll have the resources you need to become a qualified teacher. You'll learn the most up-to-date, research-based teaching methods. Our instructors lead seminars to build your experience. Be ready to earn your credential and become a teacher.
Passionate Faculty
Work with nationally recognized scholars and writers in small classroom settings. Our faculty have published reviews, essays, poems, short stories and novels. They will engage you in the classroom and give you insights into great works of poetry and literature. You'll be encouraged and inspired in the Department of English.
Multiple Tracks
We offer many options for earning a teaching credential. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
- English: Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential
- In this option, you will complete a variety of English courses to prepare you to teach. You will have great flexibility in choosing your classes, and you will be able to focus on an area of your choosing. You will graduate with a bachelor's degree in English and a lifelong competency verification in English. You will need to complete additional requirements to enter CSUN's credential program.
- Four-Year Integrated (FYI) English Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential
- The FYI English program integrates English and education courses into a four-year plan. You will study with fellow FYI English students with a pre-designed curriculum. You will graduate with a bachelor's degree in English and a preliminary single subject teaching credential in English. This option is only available for incoming freshmen.
- Junior-Year Integrated (JYI) English Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential
- The JYI English program integrates English and education courses into a two-year plan. You will study with fellow JYI English students with a pre-designed curriculum. You will graduate with a bachelor's degree in English and a preliminary single subject teaching credential in English. This option is available for students with junior standing.
What You'll Learn
In your courses, you will study creative, linguistic, and rhetorical theories. You'll learn to analyze novels, poems and other texts. You'll practice writing skills and develop critical reading skills. You'll learn to engage and support students in the classroom. By combining these skills, you will become an effective teacher.
In your lower-division core courses, you broadly study the works of English and American writers from the Middle Ages to the present day.
In your core upper-division courses, you will study courses including:
- Advanced Public Speaking
- Writing About Literature
- Literature for Adolescents
- Major Critical Theories
- Multigenre Literacy in a Global Context
- Dramatic Performance in the Secondary Language Arts Curriculum
- Language and Linguistics
You will also choose an Extended Study emphasis from the following:
- Literature
- Creative writing
- Linguistics and diversity
- Literatures of diversity
- Communication studies
- Theatre
- Rhetoric and composition
- Popular culture
The FYI English program follows a set curriculum to ensure you graduate on schedule. This program is only available to CSUN freshmen.
You will take a variety of English courses, such as:
- Major American Writers
- Writing About Literature
- Contemporary Poetry
- Language and Linguistics
You will also take secondary education courses that will count towards your credential units. They include:
- Methods of Teaching English
- Teaching English Learners in Multiethnic Secondary Schools
- Computers in Instruction
- Supervised Practicum
The JYI English program follows a set curriculum to ensure you graduate on schedule. This program is available to students with junior standing.
You will take a variety of English courses, including:
- Educational Psychology of Adolescence
- Writing About Literature
- Contemporary Poetry
- Language and Linguistics
You will also take secondary education courses that will count towards your credential units. They include:
- Methods of Teaching English
- Teaching English Learners in Multiethnic Secondary Schools
- Computers in Instruction
- Supervised Practicum
Careers & Outcomes
The English major will prepare you to become a teacher at the middle school or high school level. You will be an expert in the subject, and you will have the ability to teach students.
CSUN Credential Office
For answers to any questions you have about your journey to becoming a teacher, contact CSUN's Credential Office. Our staff will be happy to help you with questions about the classes, testing, and the overall process. Contact the CSUN Credential Office.
English Department Awards
The department offers a number of scholarships for students who have excelled in their academic work. Some of our awards celebrate overall academic achievement, while others recognize students who want to become educators. Read about our awards.