2017-2018

English - Secondary Education, Master of Arts

Department of English

College of Arts and Letters

This plan provides you with the necessary coursework to earn post-degree certification in English education so you can obtain a position as a secondary English/Language Arts teacher.

This program is nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English.

This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2020

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.

Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, professional dispositions are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):

Minimum Units for Completion 37
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Arizona Certification/Endorsement

Prepares student for Arizona Certification and/or Endorsement.

Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching is required.
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

Northern Arizona no longer offers and M. Ed. in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English. We only offer the Master of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in Secondary English Education. The graduate level English Education program at Northern Arizona University consists of a Master of Arts in English with an emphasis in Secondary English Education. The program itself resides within the College of Arts and Letters.
 
All teacher education programs in Arizona are expected to be in alignment with the Arizona Professional Teacher Standards. Nine (9) standards encompass this document; the first 8 actually apply to English teachers and standard 9 would be difficult to meet without district support. Further, Arizona teachers must prepare their candidates to meet the English/Language Arts standards outlined by the state Department of Education (these standards follow, for the most part, the NCTE/IRA standards). The state of Arizona requires for initial certification 1) a Bachelor’s or more advanced degree from an accredited institution and A) completion of a teacher preparation program in secondary education from an accredited institution (which we are) or B) at least 30 hours of education courses with at least 8 hours of practicum in grades 7-12.
 
The MA in English Education requires 37 credit hours of graduate level coursework (two 400 level classes may be used toward the master’s degree) (see attached program of study). Candidates take 31 credits hours in English Pedagogical Content/Teaching Methods and Foundations classes including EPS 605 Educational Psychology. The state of Arizona requires 6 credits of Structured English Immersion classes (SEI) and this requirement is met with ENG 581 Language and Literacy and ENG 406 ESL Methods and materials or BME 537. Candidates enroll in 9 credits of Student Teaching ENG 595; and one credit of English education Practicum (ENG 689). Candidates also take 6 credits of English content courses. The 37 credit hours of the English Education B.S. Ed. major meet and/or exceed the requirements by the state of Arizona for licensure (thirty semester hours of education courses including 8 semester hours of practicum in grades 7-12). See attached requirements for a secondary teaching certificate in the state of Arizona.

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium
 

  • Content Knowledge I.: Candidates demonstrate knowledge of English language arts (ELA) subject matter content that specifically includes literature and multimedia texts as well as knowledge of the nature of adolescents as readers.
  • Content Knowledge II: Candidates demonstrate knowledge of English language arts subject matter content that specifically includes language and writing as well as knowledge of adolescents as language users.
  • Content Pedagogy: Planning Literature and Reading Instruction in ELA III. Candidates plan instruction and design assessments for reading and the study of literature to promote learning for all students.
  • Content Pedagogy: Planning Composition Instruction in ELA.  Candidates plan instruction and design assessments for composing texts (i.e., oral, written, and visual) to promote learning for all students.
  • Learners and Learning: Implementing English Language Arts Instruction. Candidates plan, implement, assess, and reflect on research-based instruction that increases motivation and active student engagement, builds sustained learning of English language arts, and responds to diverse students’ context-based needs.
  • Professional Knowledge and Skills I: Candidates demonstrate knowledge of how theories and research about social justice, diversity, equity, student identities, and schools as institutions can enhance students’ opportunities to learn in English Language Arts.
  • Professional Knowledge and Skills II: Candidates are prepared to interact knowledgeably with students, families, and colleagues based on social needs and institutional roles, engage in leadership and/or collaborative roles in English Language Arts professional learning communities, and actively develop as professional educators.

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Three letters of recommendation
    • A writing sample
    • A personal statement or essay
    • IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
Master's Requirements
    • ENG 595 (9 units)
    • Two ENG electives (6 units)
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.