School of Education & Social Sciences · Add-on teaching certification
English 9–12 Add-On Certification
Turn your English major into a teaching career.
Love literature and writing, and want to teach it? English majors can add Missouri certification to teach English in grades 9–12 by completing secondary education courses, a few additional English courses, and student teaching.
English major
plus education courses
Grades 9–12
Missouri certification
On campus
in Marshall, Missouri
Student teaching
in a high school
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Teach English in high school.
- Share your love of reading and writing.
- Use your English major in the classroom.
- Earn Missouri certification.
What you’ll be able to do
Skills you’ll build
- Teach literature, writing, and language to high school students.
- Teach reading in the content area.
- Plan lessons, manage a classroom, and assess learning.
- Prepare for the Missouri Content Assessment in English.
How it works
Earn it alongside your major
Most of the English courses required for certification are already part of the English major.
01
Complete the English major
Finish MVU’s BA in English, including the literature courses certification requires.
02
Add education courses
Take secondary education courses, a practicum, a clinical experience, and Techniques of Teaching English.
03
Student teach
Student teach in a secondary school, then pass the Missouri Content Assessment.
About certification: MVU’s teacher education programs are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A degree isn’t a teaching license. After you complete the program and pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MCA) and DESE’s required exit assessment, you apply to Missouri for your certificate. Planning to teach in another state? Check with that state’s education agency.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here’s what the certification requires. Your advisor helps you plan.
English courses
- ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition
- ENGL 160 Literature and Composition
- ENGL 200 World Literature I
- ENGL 201 World Literature II
- ENGL 220 American Literature I
- ENGL 225 American Literature II
- ENGL 230 British Literature I
- ENGL 235 British Literature II
- ENGL 315 Young Adult Literature
- ENGL 326 Advanced Argument
- ENGL 345 Critical Theory
- ENGL 360 History of the English Language
- ENGL 485 Senior Thesis (1 credit)
Education courses
- EDUC 100 Introduction to Teaching
- EDUC 191 Secondary Practicum I (1 credit)
- EDUC 260 Education of the Exceptional Child
- EDUC 300 Instructional Methodology
- EDUC 307 Classroom Environment (2 credits)
- EDUC 311 Educational Psychology
- EDUC 322 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas, Grades 4–12
- EDUC 335 Classroom Assessment (2 credits)
- EDUC 352 Secondary Clinical Experience (2 credits)
- EDUC 415 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
- EDUC 491 Student Teaching in Secondary Schools (6 credits)
- PSYC 270 Child and Adolescent Psychology
- EDUC 443 Techniques of Teaching English (2 credits)
Admission to the teacher education program
- At least 30 credit hours completed
- Passing scores on all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher overall, in your content area, and in education courses, and an ACT score of at least 20
- A C or better in ENGL 160, COMM 100, and EDUC 100
- An application to the Education office by March 15 (for fall) or November 15 (for spring)
- A writing sample, plus any required remediation
- Proof of current CPR certification
- See the teacher education handbook for student teaching standards
Getting started
How to get started
Add-on certifications are earned alongside an MVU major. New to MVU? Start with the free application.
01
Choose your major
Major in English at MVU. Many certification courses are part of the major.
02
Apply to teacher education
After 30 credit hours, apply to the teacher education program. Applications are due March 15 for fall and November 15 for spring.
03
Finish and certify
Complete the courses, pass the Missouri Content Assessment for the area, and apply to Missouri for certification.
Is this a separate degree?
No. An add-on certification is earned alongside an MVU major, so you graduate with your bachelor’s degree and are prepared for an additional Missouri teaching certification.
Will I be certified to teach?
After you complete the program and pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MCA) and DESE’s exit assessment, you apply to Missouri for your certificate. A degree on its own isn’t a teaching license.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about certification, the courses, or how this fits your major? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
English 9–12 Certification
