Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education-English Education

The Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education-English Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University prepares professionals with a background in English, literature or writing to become certified teachers for grades seven through 12. The program offers a streamlined path to initial teacher certification in English language arts. This 19-credit non-degree certificate program is designed for those seeking a change in their career and aspiring educators with bachelor’s degrees. 

Students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to teach reading, writing and language through diverse literary genres and multimodal texts. The curriculum emphasizes inclusive, standards-aligned instruction and explores literature and language’s social, historical and cultural contexts. The program is ideal for those who want to inspire secondary school students to think critically, write clearly, and engage deeply with texts and ideas.

Courses are offered part time in the evening on Temple’s Main Campus, with a required full-time student teaching placement during the final semester. This format is well-suited for individuals working full time or teaching under an emergency permit while pursuing certification.

Why study English education in the College of Education and Human Development?

Graduates are well-prepared to teach English language arts in upper middle and high school settings, and to foster inclusive classroom environments that promote critical reading, expressive writing, and appreciation for diverse voices and perspectives. In the program, you will

• teach secondary school students to read and analyze literature, nonfiction and media through critical and cultural lenses;

• support writing development across multiple genres and for diverse purposes; 

• explore language structure, usage and rhetoric, including issues of identity and power in language; and 

• foster inclusive classrooms that empower student voice and interpretation.

Program Outcomes

You will be equipped to

• teach literature, writing and language with an emphasis on critical thinking and cultural relevance; 

• design inclusive, standards-based lessons that reflect students’ diverse experiences and voices; 

• support adolescent reading and writing development across multiple genres and media; 

• build student engagement with texts through inquiry, discussion and creative expression; and

• demonstrate professionalism and readiness for Pennsylvania teacher certification in English (grades seven–12).

Program Format & Curriculum

The Secondary Education-English Education Graduate Certificate program comprises 19 credits. Courses are held on Temple’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, with some online and hybrid options. Most classes are scheduled in the evenings to accommodate working professionals. You can attend full time or part time, and you have up to four years to complete the program. Learn more about the curriculum.

Fieldwork 

In addition to state certification exams and student teaching, you must complete field experiences as part of your Secondary Education-English Education coursework. Field placements are designed to give you teaching experience working with children in educational and noneducational settings. Students must complete required clearances and prerequisite coursework before beginning fieldwork. The majority of field experiences require students to spend seven full days over the course of a semester in the classroom. Supervised Teaching involves a full-time teaching placement in a secondary classroom under the guidance of a mentor teacher and university supervisor. During the student teaching semester, students are required to spend every day in the classroom for 14 weeks.

Questions

For more information about this program, the College of Education and Human Development, how to apply for admission, and your application status, contact Enrollment Management.

Enrollment Management
Ritter Annex 150
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 215-204-8011
Email: educate@temple.edu