English Education

Purdue University in West Lafayette

Earn a degree in english education and put your interest in literature, writing and more to work. An English education degree will enable you to teach English Language Arts for grades 5-12. You will earn a Blended and Online Teaching Certificate and be able to add an additional licensure area to teach English as a New Language or High Ability in grades K-12 if you so choose.

At Purdue University, the English education program includes coursework in literature, writing, and language–similar to that of English majors in the College of Liberal Arts but broader in scope. You will also take professional education courses throughout the program. Your preparation includes a combination of coursework and clinical experiences in secondary school classrooms, culminating in student teaching during your final year.

Clinical practice occurs in a variety of settings:

• Rural, urban, and suburban schools in the local community and around Indiana
• Local community organizations serving youth
• Established school partners around the US and internationally

Students who successfully complete all requirements of a teacher preparation program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Indiana Department of Education are eligible for licensure in the state of Indiana. Purdue has interstate licensing agreements with the other 49 U.S. states, which means graduates will be able to transfer their Indiana license to the state of their choice with—in most cases—ease.

Once licensed, an English education graduate is qualified to teach English related subjects (e.g. speech, drama, journalism) to secondary students in a public, private, or independent school.