Secondary English Language Arts License

Overview

The Secondary English Language Arts License major from University of Colorado Denver combines cutting-edge research with real classroom experiences. You'll learn from innovative faculty members who are locally, nationally and internationally recognized for their research in English Language Arts education. 

They will provide you with a robust knowledge base and relevant learning experiences in transforming deep content knowledge into learning experiences for youth across multiple cultural contexts as it relates to teaching youth in grades 7 through 12. You'll engage in powerful classroom experiences and benefit from our rich 20-year history of partnering with schools to prepare teachers.

What you'll study

The secondary English Language Arts program ensures that you will develop deep content knowledge across a number of disciplines important to become a successful English teacher with courses in writing, literature, literary criticism and more. 

You will also be prepared with the methods and foundations coursework that will make you a highly effective, innovative and compassionate secondary English teacher skilled in improving student performance and reaching the needs of today's diverse learners in a variety of school settings. You will have the skills to be a teacher leader. CU Denver graduates often go on to acquire positions in educational leadership as their careers progress.

Program Delivery

This is an on-campus program with a variety of delivery options for many of our courses including hybrid, evening, weekend, and online courses.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum total of 126 semester hours for the EDHD Secondary English Education Track.
• Students must pass the appropriate Praxis Exam prior to beginning their final semester of their Professional Year. It is recommended students complete the exam in the year prior to their Professional Year.
• Application to the last year of the program, the Professional Year Residency is required. After successfully completing all other Core, major, and elective courses, all students must apply for admission into the Professional Year. Requirements for admission include a 3.0 GPA, positive letters of recommendation, successful evaluations of earlier clinical experiences, and a successful interview. (Students with a lower GPA may be considered under certain conditions. Please see SEHD website.)
• A minimum of C- is required for all English content courses.
• A minimum GPA of 2.0, grade of C or better, is required for all major courses applying to EDHD - Secondary English Education requirements unless otherwise specified.
• Students must complete and maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average in Professional Year coursework to complete licensure requirements. Please see an advisor for more information on this requirement.
• Transfer courses must be approved by faculty and/or advisor to apply to the major.