Program Mission

The mission of the English Program is to guide students, within a robustly Catholic liberal arts college setting, toward a greater understanding of themselves, others, and the world through the wisdom of excellent writing. Intensive reading and writing, critical evaluation of ideas and arguments, and engagement in scholarly communities prepare our students for careers that require superior writing, reading, speaking, and thinking skills.

Program Outcomes

1. Graduates will be familiar with literature in English and with the British and American literary tradition.

2. Graduates will have the ability to analyze and interpret literary works.

3. Graduates will be competent writers.

4. Graduates will understand of the nature, structure, and uses of language.

5. Graduates of English Education will be competent in the content of literature and writing and be able to teach both.

6. Graduates will be prepared to live in a diverse society through required readings in World and American literature by writers of diverse genders, ethnicities, and cultures.

Program Requirements for Students who Major in English with a Double Major in Secondary Education

• Required courses as listed in "Requirements for a Major in English" with the addition of ENGL-3357 Young Adult Literature in Language Arts, ENGL-4457 Methods of Teaching Language Arts, and omitting ENGL-4910 Language & Literature Seminar.
• At least 9 upper-division hours for a total of no less than 36 hours in the major of which at least 3 hours must be from a course in writing: ENGL-3250 Creative Writing, ENGL-3260 Advanced Composition, or ENGL-3270 Writing Fiction.
• Students must also complete the requirements for secondary teacher certification outlined under Education and have their schedules approved by an advisor from the English department as well as an advisor from the School of Education.
• English courses in which the student receives a grade below a C are not accepted for fulfillment of the English education major. In addition, English education majors must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in English courses in order to be considered for retention in the English education program.

Secondary Education Major Requirements

Students must complete all the requirements for a double major in Secondary Education (B.A.).

A grade of 'D' will not be accepted in Education courses or the General Education courses that are specifically required for the Secondary Education major. 

Changes in Kansas State Department Licensure requirements will preclude requirements established by Benedictine’s School of Education.
Students will complete the College’s general education requirements in addition to the following courses.

Suggested Sequence of Courses for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Secondary Education