English Teaching Degrees

View online teaching programs currently accepting applicants for 2024.

Teachers who love reading and literature and want to share that passion with students have the chance to become an English teacher. English teachers are needed in grades 7-12 across the country. School districts in all fifty states have a need for English teachers.

Introduction and Summary: English Teacher

Whether it is Shakepeare's plays or Dickinson's poetry, most English teachers have a passion for sharing their love of literature. Writing and reading are two vital skills that most students need to be successful in all subjects.

If you love literature, reading to students, and writing essays, then becoming an English teacher might be for you. Middle Schools and High Schools alike are both seeking qualified English teachers to share their passion with students.

There are a few routes you can take when becoming a licensed English teacher. TeachingDegrees.com has information that you need to take the next steps towards this career. All of the information on this page is provided by the Council on Accreditation of the Educator Preparation site.

View more 100% online teaching programs currently accepting applicants.

Education Requirements

English teachers can major in English as an undergraduate and then minor in Education. This programs prepares students to successfully pass the exams they need to apply for a state teaching license.

The English courses that students study for their major in college prepares them to take the English content exams necessary in order to apply for a license in the state in which they plan to teach. The Education courses also prepare students to successfully pass the education exams needed for a teaching license.

Some students choose to reverse that plan. Students have the option at some colleges to major in Secondary Education and minor in English. Either course offers students enough classes in each subject to pass their state regulated exams for a teaching license.

Most teachers pursue a master's degree, and some states now require it. A master's degree in English would enhance any teachers knowledge base in the field of English. Some teachers complete a master's degree before applying for their state license.

A master's degree in English would ensure success on the state mandated tests that are required before applying for license. Some teachers start their careers as English teachers and then go back later and begin a master's degree.

Although not as many colleges offer a master's degree in English online as they do a master's in Education, there are still several out there. Completing a master's degree in English online gives teachers the flexibility of working and going to school.

View all Bachelor's in Education Programs.

Online Master's Degrees

Whether pursuing a master's degree in Education or English, students have various options of online degree programs. Earning a degree online is convenient and flexible for people who are already working a full-time job.

A master's of Arts in English typically takes about 2 years to complete while going to school part-time. An average program requires around 36 graduate hours. Some programs offer a comprehensive exam in place of a thesis project.

A variety of colleges and universities across the nation offer online Master degrees in English. With a Master degree in English, teachers can teach grades 7-12, or at an adult high school, or on a college level.

Teachers in the field of Education who are teaching English might choose to earn a master's degree in Education instead of English. Likewise, a master's degree in Education takes around 2 years to complete while attending college part-time.

A master's degree earned in any subject can open advanced opportunities for teachers as well as an increase in their salary. A master's degree is required by some states before applying for a teaching license.

View all Online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Programs.

Steps to Licensure

Teaching Assistants are not required to hold a teaching license. Some teachers work as an assistant while trying to get a full-time teaching job. An Assistant position usually only requires an Associate degree. Teaching Assistants that want to pursue a teaching career would need to earn a minimum of a Bachelor's degree, then obtained a teaching license.

Steps to Licensure

A career in the public school system is positively challenging, yet provides a fulfilling career. In order to become a certified teacher, one must apply for licensure in their practicing state. TeachingDegrees.com has all of the information that you need in order to apply for licensure.

In order to apply for a license, you must at least hold a Bachelor's degree. Various licenses are available and depend on your degree and amount of experience. Passing state mandated exams is necessary in most cases before the license application process takes place.

When applying to become an English teacher, applicants will have a to take a series of English content exams as well as the Principles of Learning and Teaching exams. Each state requires its own minimum score.

After completing a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree, teachers are required to have successfully passed a series of mandated state tests that are regulated through the Department of Education in each state. An English content exam will be given in order to add an English endorsement to a teaching license.

Once an applicant as met the minimum score requirements, they can apply online through the state licensing board of education. In order to be able to teach, applicants must pass exams related to the field of education that focus on the theories and methods in the field.

The State Department of Education requires a copy of your college degree, transcripts and your exam scores. Once all of those items have been sent in to the considering state, applicants fill out required paperwork or go online for processing.

Once prospective teachers have obtained a license and are certified, they are eligible to begin teaching in that state. In rare occasions, a school district can hire a teacher who has not completed the licensing process, yet.

If you are hired for an English teaching job and do not have a license, you typically have to complete any courses you are lacking and pass your exams within a three year period or less.

The local school district can assist the process as well once you've been offered a job. Some states have the applications online. A license must be earned within 1-3 years after being hired without one or the school system will not be able to renew your contract.

If teachers want to add a certification to teach a new subject or different grade level, then an examination is required. Specific state scores have been set with minimum requirements in order to add the certification to a current, active teaching license.

TeachingDegrees.com offers information from each state on the certification and licensing process. All information provided on TeachingDegrees.com comes from the Council for the Accreditation on Educator Preparation.

View Licensing Information by State.

Types of English Teaching Degrees

If you are interested in a career as an English teacher, there are numerous degrees that you can earn.

Some teachers want to work with Middle School students. There are options to earn a degree in Elementary Education with a focus on grades 4-8. In this case, you could minor in English, so that you complete college with enough hours to teach that subject to middle school students.

Other teachers like working with older adolescents in high school in grades 9-12. If this interests you, you can major in English and minor in Secondary Education. This ensures that you can apply for a teaching license in both the subject of English and to teach grades 9-12 on a high school level.

Some people interested in English might want to earn a master’s degree in English and teach on a community college level. Several colleges offer online master’s degrees in English. Or if a teacher has a master’s degree in Education with at least 18 hours of graduate English courses, they are qualified to teach on a community college level.

Earning an English degree and properly passing state exams to receive licensure typically qualifies educators to teach English and Language Arts grades 7-12.

Types of Teaching Careers

If you have a passion for literature and writing, then becoming an English teacher might be your dream job. If you are interested in a career as an English teacher, there are numerous paths that you can follow.

There is a great need for teachers who want to work with Middle School students, typically grades 6-8, but sometimes as low as 4-8. There are options to earn a degree in Elementary Education with a focus on grades 4-8.

If considering this route, you could minor in English, so that you complete college with enough hours to teach that subject to middle school students. And major in Education to learn classroom skills and behavior management techniques.

A lot of new and passionate teachers want to work with older adolescents in high school in grades 9-12. If this interests you, you can major in English and minor in Secondary Education. This helps mandate the regulations you need to apply for a teaching license in both the subject of English and to teach grades 9-12 on a high school level.

Other teaching options for English majors or adult high schools. A lot of older students are going back to night school and completing their high school education.

Some people interested in English might want to earn a master’s degree in English and teach on a community college level. Several colleges offer online master’s degrees in English. Or if a teacher has a master’s degree in Education with at least 18 hours of graduate English courses, they are qualified to teach on a community college level.

Teaching English and Language Arts on any level is both exciting and rewarding. School systems all over the county are currently seeking qualified applicants.