About the B.A. Program

The degree program followed in the Bachelor of Arts. Courses in this program lead toward New York state initial teacher certification, English, grades 7-12. Secondary education programs are designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of school settings, culminating in full-time student teaching. Literacy, multicultural education, and information technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the program. The program conforms with the New York State Learning Standards in English Language Arts and with the recommendations for teacher preparation of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students preparing to teach at the early childhood, elementary or secondary level need to apply to the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership the beginning of the sophomore year. Admission to the program is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

• A completed application to the program
• In the case of secondary education,
  • a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in overall course work;
  • a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the area(s) in which certification is sought.
• A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
• Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession. An interview, audition, and/or portfolio requirements in some programs).

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in the program. Consequently, candidates are welcome to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate

Program Requirements

Prospective teachers of English choose English and American Literature or Creative Writing and Literature as a major within the liberal arts and sciences. During the second semester of the sophomore year (a minimum of 45 semester hours of college course work), the student then chooses English Education as a co-major. For program admission policies, procedures, and program requirements, see Secondary Education, Undergraduate Program.
In addition to the English course requirements for the B.A. in English, prospective teachers of English must also include in their programs of study the following courses:

• 6 semester hours of American literature (ENGL 51, The American Literary Identity, or ENGL 143, American Literature I, and ENGL 52, The American Experience on Context, or ENGL 144, American Literature II, preferred);
• 6 semester hours of English literature (ENGL 41, English Literature I and ENGL 42, English Literature II, preferred);
• 3 semester hours of world literature (ENGL 43, Western Literature I or ENGL 44, Western Literature II;
• 3 semester hours chosen from: ENGL 103, Structure of English preferred, ENGL 101 or 102 or LING 101, 151, 152, 161, or 190.

The co-major in English Education consists of a minimum of 31 semester hours of education course work.
For more information on this program’s requirements and course of study, please visit the Hofstra Bulletin.

Applying

If you are interested in applying for this program, please visit Hofstra’s Office of Undergraduate Admission.

 

Contact

To learn more about Hofstra’s Bachelor  of Arts in English education, please contact:
Maureen Murphy, Ph.D.
Professor of Teaching, Literacy and Leadership
Director, Secondary English Education Programs
Phone: 516-463-6775
Email: Maureen.O.Murphy@hofstra.edu