This page serves as an introduction to the areas listed and makes no claim to be all inclusive. See department coordinator, counselor, or advisor for more complete information.
| College/School/Department | Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences |
| Name of Program Emphasis | English Teaching Majors |
| Counselors | Tina Bennett-Kastor bennettk@twsuvm.uc.twsu.edu 603 Lindquist Hall Wichita State University Wichita, KS 67260-0014 (316) 978-6694 |
| Overview | The English department offers a broad and flexible
program of courses that are central to a liberal arts education while offering students
the opportunity for personal enrichment and a variety of career possibilities. The department offers bachelor's degree programs in teaching, literature, creative writing, as well as a range of courses in linguistics. Students who pursue an English major will find the knowledge of communications skills acquired in their work in English a valuable asset as they seek entrance into a wide range of fields that include communications, education, government, law, and business. The English teaching major is a 51 hour program designed to prepare you to teach effectively at the secondary level. It requires a 27-hour core in literature, a 12-hour core in language and composition, and includes further work in related fields, as well as requirements of the College of Education. |
| Places for Employment (Examples) |
Teaching at the high school level in both public and private schools |
| Specializations in the Field | Teaching |
| Working Conditions | Working conditions vary, depending on the organizations. Generally, most jobs occur in a classroom setting. Positions involve working with people and completing individual tasks. |
| Personal Qualifications | You should be intellectually curious and able to think
logically, sort out material, organize information, present ideas coherently, and work
with a variety of personality types and skill levels. Since many tasks are accomplished on an individual level, you should be self-disciplined in your work habits and able to work without supervision. |
| Undergraduate Internships/Cooperative Educations & Job Opportunities |
Geraldine Hammond Award for Academic Achievement Craig Murphy Award Marguerite Bliss and Isabel Ford Scholarship Helen J. Throckmorton Endowed Scholarship |
| Student Organization | Sigma Tau Delta |
| Try-out Courses | English 227Q |
| Future Outlook | The outlook for the future is good as older “baby boomers” reach retirement age. |
| Famous People in the Field | Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson were both English majors. |
| Quotes | "The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." Plutarch |
| Community Counselors | If you would like to talk to someone working in the field, make an appointment with Dr. Phil Rhea, Coordinator, Secondary School English, Wichita Public School System, 640 N. Emporia, Wichita KS, 67214, telephone (316) 833-4406. |
| More Information & Resources |
See the English department website. (Will be completed soon!) |
| General Programs Core | General Education requirements apply. |
| Intellectual &
Academic Competencies Expected of Majors |
2.50 GPA in English; teacher competency exam required for certification |
| As A Student in
English |
You will study literature--English, America, and European-- in a variety of courses that concentrate on particular periods (like Modern American Literature), authors (like Shakespeare or Mark Twain), or types of literature like fiction, poetry, and drama. If you plan to teach in the schools, you will supplement your study of English with courses offered by the College of Education, which are required for teacher certification. Teaching in higher education requires graduate work, usually leading to the Ph.D. If that is your goal, the English major at Wichita State can prepare you for graduate school. |
| As a Graduate with an English degree |
You will be among those who have a strong educational foundation in the area of knowledge called the humanities. In addition to possessing an extensive knowledge of literature and our language, you will also possess some understanding of related forms of knowledge, like history and philosophy. |
| The University
reserves the right |
To revise or change rules, charges, fees, schedules, courses, requirements for degrees and any other regulations affecting students whenever it is considered necessary or desirable. |
| Notice of Nondiscrimination |
Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS, 67260-0145; telephone (316) 978-3371. |