Three courses at the 300-400 level, selected from the above courses not used to fulfill area requirements and/or from other English courses (9)
Requirements outside Department (0-12)
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12) See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.
Total Hours for a Major in English, Track 1: 39-51
Track 2. English Studies Leading to Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts
These are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the program or to particular courses.
Students majoring in English who seek licensure to teach English Language Arts at the secondary level should consult with the coordinator of educator licensure in English at the earliest possible date. Undergraduate majors normally apply for admission to the program for licensure in secondary English Language Arts at the end of the sophomore year, except in the case of transfer students, who normally apply during their first semester at NIU. Graduate students should see the appropriate section of the entry in the Graduate Catalog for the Department of English. Students who already possess the baccalaureate or higher degree and wish to pursue licensure without becoming a candidate for a degree should consult the coordinator of educator licensure in English as early as possible.
Admission Requirements
Application in writing to the coordinator.
Passing score on the Test of Academic Proficiency, or equivalent recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Completion of at least 9 semester hours of English beyond ENGL 103-ENGL 203 or ENGL 204 at NIU, including ENGL 200, ENGL 207, and ENGL 300C, with an English GPA of at least 3.00 including a minimum grade of B in English 300C and a minimum grade of C in all other NIU English classes used in the calculation of the ENGL GPA. All undergraduate educator licensure candidates in English Language Arts are required to complete ENGL 207with a minimum grade of C.
Completion of at least 15 hours of work at NIU with a GPA of at least 2.75.
Completion of the foundational studies requirements in writing, oral communication, and quantitative literacy with a grade of C or better in each course used to satisfy these requirements.
Satisfactory interview with the coordinator.
Retention
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all work at NIU with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all English courses beyond ENGL 103-ENGL 203 or ENGL 204 at NIU. They must obtain a grade of B or better in ENGL 404, ENGL 479, ENGL 480, and ENGL 482, and have a satisfactory review of progress with the coordinator each semester. Courses listed below are aligned with Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and the National Council of Teachers of English standards for preparation of teachers of Secondary English Language Arts. Teacher licensure candidates should save appropriate evidence of content-area knowledge.
Requirements in Department (39)
ENGL 404, ENGL 479, ENGL 480, and ENGL 485 must be taken in sequence. ENGL 480 must be taken in the semester immediately prior to enrollment in ENGL 485. Students are admitted to ENGL 485 only upon application, review of their academic record and of their professional fitness, and satisfactory completion of all other work required for graduation, including all other work in the major.
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12). See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.
Students seeking licensure should consult the coordinator as early as possible.
Additional Requirements
The Illinois State Board of Education specifies that candidates earn a grade of C or better in each course required for educator licensure. This requirement includes courses used to fulfill Educator Licensure in English Language Arts as an additional endorsement (see below) as well as professional education courses offered in the College of Education. NOTE: The Department of English requires that candidates for Track 2: English Studies Leading to Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts, Grades 9 – 12 and candidates for Middle School Licensure in English Language Arts, Grades 5 - 8 (see below) maintain a 3.00 English GPA (excluding First Year Composition). Track 2 candidates must maintain a 2.75 NIU cumulative GPA.
The state of Illinois requires a minimum of 100 clock hours of substantial, varied, and sequential clinical experiences prior to student teaching. This requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing the following courses.
A course in the teaching of English Language Learners (3)
A course in the methods of teaching exceptional children (3)
Also Required
Students are also required to have course work in reading instruction at the secondary level and in human growth and development. Students should consult with the educator licensure coordinator in English to determine which courses are approved for satisfying the additional requirements. Students must also pass the Illinois examination for licensure for teaching in English Language Arts and fulfill any additional state of Illinois requirements.
Requirements for Middle School Licensure in English Language Arts (27)
The following are minimum requirements. The Illinois State Board of Education strongly recommends at least 33 hours of preparation in the candidate’s primary subject area of middle-school licensure.
Plus a culminating methods course leading to middle-school educator licensure that aligns with the National Council of Teachers of English standards for teaching English Language Arts (3)
Requirements for Educator Licensure in English Language Arts as an Additional Endorsement (24)
This additional endorsement will also satisfy the requirement for an English minor. The candidate must apply to the coordinator of teacher licensure in English to declare the English minor.
Total Hours for a Major in English, Track 2: 48-60
Track 3. English Studies in Writing
Students majoring in English Studies in Writing will have flexibility to develop a general focus on professional writing, creative writing, or both. They will ground their written practice in a substantive understanding of language analysis, literary analysis, critical thinking, and the major literary genres. Students in creative writing may also earn the Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Creative Writing.
Two other ENGL literature courses as defined below (6)
Two other ENGL literature courses at the 300-400 level, selected from the above courses not used to fulfill area requirements and/or from other English courses.
Requirements outside Department (0-12)
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12)
Total Hours for a Major in English, Track 3: 39-51
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