What you will study
To become an English language arts teacher, you’ll participate in classes on our Warrensburg
campus and gain field experience in an actual middle or junior high school classroom.
No matter your location, you’ll be under the guidance of UCM faculty who have experience
as former English language arts teachers themselves. They’ll offer feedback as you
learn to not only develop and deliver an effective and engaging language arts curriculum
but also as you grow into a capable and thoughtful educator. The goal is to help you
foster a positive environment that all students can thrive in.
Your language arts curriculum at UCM
As you plan your schedule, you’ll have many choices for literature coursework, including
American, British and world literature. A required course, Methods of Teaching Middle
Level English Language Arts, will provide research-based approaches for teaching language
arts curriculum.
Excellence in Language Arts Education
- The University of Central Missouri offers a Language Arts program curriculum specific
to middle-level education. This has gained the attention of Missouri school districts,
which allows us to maintain one of the highest employment rates among UCM programs.
- A Best Value College for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching (College Factual,
2022)
- A Best Value Bachelor's Degree College for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education &
Teaching (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Focused Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 5%: Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual,
2022)
- Top 4.5%: Most Popular Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in UCM’s Language Arts degree program for teachers
At the University of Central Missouri, learning — and fun — extends beyond our classrooms
and even our Warrensburg campus. While studying at UCM to become a language arts teacher,
plan to:
- Observe a teacher and engage with students in an actual middle school or junior high
classroom starting your sophomore year
- Continue with a combination of on-campus and field learning
- Complete student teaching in your final semester with confidence since you already
know the ins and outs of the classroom
- Earn membership to the Kappa Delta Pi or Phi Kappa Phi honor societies
- Join UCM’s Student Missouri State Teachers Association or the Collegiate Middle Level
Association to hear from guest speakers, attend fun events and make friends for life
What can you do with a Language Arts degree for teachers from UCM?
With middle-level teachers in high demand, now is a great time to become an English
language arts teacher. This is especially true for teachers who earn their Language
Arts degree from UCM, since Missouri middle school principals often start with us
when looking for candidates. Their confidence in our program and graduates allows
us to maintain a 99% job placement rate.
You may also apply the hands-on training and knowledge you gained while earning your
Language Arts degree towards completing a master’s degree at UCM.
Understanding your job prospects as a language arts teacher
UCM faculty will work with you to understand your career opportunities as an English
language arts teacher. You can get a head start with the interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your teacher of Language Arts degree
As you consider how to become an English language arts teacher, you may also want
to look for ways to finance your education. To assist you, the University of Central Missouri makes available financial aid
information, including details on grants, loans, work study and scholarships.
Scholarships for a future language arts teacher
Use UCM’s Scholarship Finder to find many scholarship opportunities available to Education majors. Some examples
include:
College of Education Scholarship Fund: College of Education students may apply.
CenturyLink University of Central Missouri Scholarship: Many majors, including Education
majors, may apply.
Kappa Delta Pi Scholarship: Active Kappa Delta Pi members who are pursuing a UCM Teacher
degree may apply.
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Meet UCM Faculty
Doctoral degree holders with real-world experience
At UCM, you’ll learn from the best of the best. Our faculty have completed the highest
levels of education and have also practiced in a middle school or junior high setting.
They understand what success in the classroom looks like and are committed to helping
you achieve it.
Read Faculty Bios
Get Involved
Join UCM’s SMSTA
UCM offers several education-related associations to help you not only meet other
future English language arts teachers but also all Education majors. Among them is
the Student Missouri State Teacher Association (SMSTA). Enhance your college experience
when you hear from and meet guest speakers or participate in fun events.
Meet Sam M.
BSE Middle School-Junior High School Language Arts Teacher Degree ’21
“I've learned so much about myself and the kind of individual I want to become through
this major. Since everyone in the Middle School program aims to help each other out
and their primary focus is on helping students and future generations, it's easy to
feel comfortable in that environment.”
Meet Jordan S.
BSE Middle School-Junior High School Language Arts Teacher Degree ’21
“I was surprised at how close everyone was in my classes. I really like that, in this
program, you get to interact with your peers and you are actually learning instruction
strategies.”
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