The English Language Arts concentration provides a pathway for students interested in a career in teaching English at the middle school or high school levels. In the second semester of their junior year, students will be prepared to apply for admissions to the Accelerated Bachelor’s/MAT program at The W. Through this pathway, students may take up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework as part of their undergraduate program. Other seniors may qualify to take up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework with approval from the MAT program.
These options allow students to complete some or all of the 9 credit hours of graduate initial licensure coursework required to begin the MAT Internship as undergraduates. Upon earning the bachelor’s degree, passing an approved Praxis II subject-area exam, gaining full admission to the MAT program, and completing the required 9 graduate credit hours, candidates are recommended for a three-year, non-renewable Class A Mississippi Educator License. They then secure a full-time teaching position and complete their MAT Internship in that role. After completing the MAT internship year, candidates are recommended for a renewable, five-year Class A Mississippi Educator license. Completion of the MAT program leads to a Class AA license and eligibility for a higher salary.
The concentration alone doe not lead to teacher licensure; full acceptance into and completion of a MAT program or another approved alternate route pathway is required. See the Accelerated Bachelor’s/MAT program description for full details.
Administered by the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy.
Students are required to meet with their faculty advisor to schedule classes and discuss degree requirements, see Section 10.4.
