School of Education
Communication Arts/Literature Education

School of Education
Communication Arts/Literature Education
- Bachelor of Science
- Undergraduate
This degree prepares you to teach English in a public or private school setting for grades 5-12. While laying the foundation for further graduate study.
Communication arts/literature education may be the right degree for you if you
- enjoy working with children
- are eager to serve
- passionate about teaching
- are interested in a career in education
Why study communication arts/literature education at Northwestern?
At UNW, you'll get equipped to serve the next generation. You will learn from teachers who share your faith and enjoy helping others learn. The School of Education offers you the opportunity to travel to Haiti and China to learn how education is different overseas. You can gain even more experience by participating in our international student teaching program.
The School of Education equips you for your career through four levels of classroom practicum experience:
- Find your personal "fit" within the teaching profession.
- Focus on developing theory and skills related to diversity.
- Learn teaching methods in your chosen field by creating and evaluating lessons in a school classroom.
- Student Teach full-time in a chosen licensure field.
The School of Education provides teacher education programs approved by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and as a result, meets the state standards adopted for licensure programs as defined in state Rule 8710.2000 through 8710.8080. All licensure programs are aligned with INTASC (Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) standards and the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice.
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Careers in communication arts/literature education
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in communication arts/literature education.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Teaching in your area of specialty
- Private tutoring
- Creating/directing educational programs
- Curriculum development
- Instructional design (technology training may be required)
- Textbook editing
- Online education
- Student life/student affairs
- Corporate or business training and development
Who employs people with this degree?
- Schools of all kinds-public, private, charter, international, government, residential
- Daycare and nursery school
- Parks and Recreation departments
- Educational testing companies
- Curriculum/educational publishers
- School district offices
- Educational research firms
- Industries related to your subject area (e.g., PE majors could work in the areas of fitness, health, or wellness)
- Non-profit organizations
- Universities and colleges
- Employee training programs
Strategies for success:
- Requirements for certification/licensure vary by state; multiple certifications will increase employability. A master’s degree will increase earning potential.
- Be willing to work hard at finding a job and to go where the jobs are.
- Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience with the age group you intend to work with in various settings: pre-schools, daycares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA’s, etc.
- Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to broaden skills, interests, and opportunities.
- Identify transferable skills learned in teaching applicable to other careers: written and verbal communication, teaching and instruction, program planning, organization and record keeping, working under pressure and meeting deadlines, motivational skills, creativity, working autonomously, decision-making, problem solving.
Professional associations:
- American College Personnel Association
- American Educational Research Association
- American Federation of Teachers
- Association for Experiential Education
- US Department of Education (listing of associations)
- National Education Association
- American Association for Employment in Education
- National Council of Teachers of English
- National Association for the Teaching of English
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
of Northwestern’s education graduates felt professionally prepared by their education
meets licensure requirements for the Minnesota Board of Teaching
of seniors feel prepared to integrate their faith with their academic field
What will I learn?
You will develop effective written and verbal communication skills and be able to teach children in grades 5-12.

Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
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