Program: English and Comparative Literature, B.A. in preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts - San Diego State University

Aug 15, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Major Code: 15011) (Academic Plan Code: 112114BALS) (Academic Plan Code: 112114BALI - SDSU Imperial Valley)

English and Comparative Literature, B.A. in preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts (2025-2026) - Roadmap

In preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts

The B.A. in English and Comparative Literature in preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts combines in-depth literary study with foundational coursework in education. The program develops students’ critical reading, writing, and analytical skills while also preparing them to meet California’s subject matter requirements for teaching English at the secondary level. Graduates are well equipped to enter a teaching credential program and pursue careers in middle or high school English education.

Requirements listed here are for the fulfillment of the English and Comparative Literature major in preparation for the single subject teaching credential in English language arts. All candidates for a teaching credential must complete all requirements as outlined in this section of the bulletin under Dual Language and English Learner Education or Teacher Education. Completion of this major also fulfills 21 units of the General Education program.

A minor is not required with this major.

Teacher Education

See School of Teacher Education for information about the credential program, to include seven to eight additional units required for admission:

ED 451 - Introduction to Multicultural Education Units: 3
TE 280 - Health Education for Teachers Units: 1
SPED 450 - Classroom Adaptations for Special Populations Units: 3
or
CFD 590 - Disability: Conception through Emerging Adulthood Units: 4 *
but not both

Impacted Program

The major in English in Preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts is designated as an impacted program and specific criteria are used to admit students. To be admitted to the major in English in Preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete with a minimum GPA of 2.50 and a grade of C (2.0) or better: RWS 100 , RWS 200 ; COMM 103 ; ECL 220 or C LT 270A or C LT 270B ; JMS 200 ; HUM 140 ; LING 101 ; six units from ENGL 250A and ENGL 250B or ENGL 260A and ENGL 260B ; ECL 280 . These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.40 or better.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Preparation for the Major

(30 units)

Fulfills 21 units in General Education.

Any grade requirements and GPA requirements listed above for admission to the major in English in Preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English Language Arts will also be enforced in Preparation for the Major requirements.

RWS 100 - Rhetoric of Written Argument Units: 3 and
RWS 200 - Rhetoric of Written Arguments in Context Units: 3 (General Education I. 2 and 3)
COMM 103 - Oral Communication Units: 3 (General Education I. 1)
ECL 220 - The Art of Literature Units: 3
or
ECL 270 - Introduction to Comparative Literature Units: 3
(3 units General Education II. C.2.)
JMS 200 - Introduction to Contemporary Media Units: 3 (General Education II.B)
HUM 140 - World Mythology Units: 3 (General Education II. C.2.)
LING 101 - Introduction to Language Units: 3 (3 units General Education II.B)
ECL 250 - Introduction to Literature of the United States Units: 3
ECL 260 - Introduction to British Literature Units: 3
ECL 280 - Introduction to Creative Writing Units: 3

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of this bulletin on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Take ECL 508W and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better (see #10 below). See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

(46 upper division units)

Courses in the major cannot be double-counted.

ECL 502 - Adolescence in Literature Units: 3
ECL 508W - The Writing of Criticism Units: 3
ECL 533 - Shakespeare Units: 3
THEA 310 - Creative Drama I Units: 3
LING 430 - English Grammar for Prospective Teachers Units: 3
or
LING 530 - English Grammar Units: 3
LING 452 - Language Acquisition Units: 3 *
or
LING 454 - Second Language Acquisition Units: 3
or
LING 550 - Theory and Practice of English as a Second Language Units: 3 *
RWS 509 - Teaching Composition in Secondary Schools Units: 3 and
TE 362 - Fieldwork in Community Settings Units: 1-4 must be taken concurrently.

Three Units Selected from

ECL 510A - Earlier Histories of British and American Literature Units: 3
ECL 510B - Later Histories of British and American Literature Units: 3
ECL 530 - Chaucer Units: 3
ECL 534 - Study of Shakespeare Units: 3
ECL 536 - British Literary Periods, Beginnings to 1660 Units: 3
ECL 537 - Milton Units: 3
ECL 540A - English Fiction Units: 3
ECL 541A - English Drama Units: 3
ECL 541B - English Drama Units: 3
ECL 543 - British Literary Periods, 1800-1900 Units: 3
ECL 544 - British Literary Periods, 1900-Present Units: 3

Three Units From

ECL 519 - Ethnic Literatures of the United States Units: 3
ECL 522 - Literature of the United States, 1800-1860 Units: 3
ECL 523 - Literature of the United States, 1860-1920 Units: 3
ECL 524 - Literature of the United States, 1920-1960 Units: 3
ECL 525 - Literature of the United States, 1960 to Present Units: 3

Diversity Literature Course

Three Units Selected from

ECL 440 - African Literature Units: 3
AMIND 430 - American Indian Poetry and Fiction Units: 3
CCS 380 - US/Mexico Borderlands Folklore Units: 3 also listed as
LATAM 380 - US/Mexico Borderlands Folklore Units: 3
CCS 450 - Chicano and Latino Theatre Units: 3
ECL 335 - Chicana and Chicano Literature Units: 3 also listed as
CCS 335 - Chicana and Chicano Literature Units: 3
ECL 365A - African American Literature to 1900 Units: 3 also listed as
AFRAS 365A - African American Literature to 1900 Units: 3
ECL 365B - African American Literature After 1900 Units: 3 also listed as
AFRAS 365B - African American Literature After 1900 Units: 3
ECL 450 - LGBT Literature and Culture Units: 3
ECL 519 - Ethnic Literatures of the United States Units: 3
ECL 550 - Queer Texts and Contexts Units: 3
THEA 465 - Theatre of Diversity Units: 3
WMNST 352 - Women in Literature Units: 3

One 500-level Three Unit Elective

One 500-level three unit elective in English or comparative literature.

Select one of the following specializations

(12 units):

Literature

Twelve units in any 500-level courses in English and Comparative Literature.

Linguistics

Twelve units selected from Group A (ESL emphasis):

LING 452 - Language Acquisition Units: 3 *
LING 454 - Second Language Acquisition Units: 3
LING 550 - Theory and Practice of English as a Second Language Units: 3 *
LING 555 - Practical Issues in Teaching English as a Second Language Units: 3 *
LING 556 - Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching Units: 3
or

Group B

(English language linguistics emphasis):

LING 420 - Linguistics and English Units: 3
LING 502 - Language in Mind and Society Units: 3 *
LING 525 - Semantics and Pragmatics Units: 3 *
LING 526 - Discourse Analysis Units: 3 *
LING 551 - Sociolinguistics Units: 3
LING 552 - Psycholinguistics Units: 3 *
LING 571 - Computational Corpus Linguistics Units: 3

Theatre

Twelve units selected from

THEA 315 - Theatre for Young Audiences Units: 3
THEA 359 - Directing I Units: 3 *
THEA 460A - History of the Theatre Units: 3
THEA 460B - History of the Theatre Units: 3
THEA 510 - Creative Drama and Language Arts Units: 3
THEA 525 - Dramaturgy Units: 3 *
THEA 580 - Theatre in the Classroom Units: 3 *

Journalism

Twelve units selected from

JMS 300 - Principles of Journalism Units: 3
JMS 408 - Principles of Media Studies Units: 3
JMS 460 - Principles of Advertising Units: 3
JMS 480 - Principles of Public Relations Units: 3
JMS 489 - Research Methods in Media Studies Units: 3
JMS 494 - Media Law and Ethics Units: 3

Consult with the English and Comparative Literature Honors Program Adviser for Honors Program Variation.

Note

* Additional prerequisites required.

** These specializations are not open at SDSU Imperial Valley.

Course Sequences

All year courses in English may be taken in either semester, and either semester may be taken singly for credit.

Student Initiated Courses

Students may petition for a course which falls within the competency of the English and Comparative Literature department but which is not among the regular course offerings for the present or following semester. Petition forms may be obtained from the departmental adviser.

Undergraduate Seminars

Each semester, if adequate staffing permits, the department may offer several of its courses as special, limited-enrollment seminars. These seminars are designed to give English and Comparative Literature majors (or anyone who has the consent of the instructor) the opportunity as juniors and seniors to engage in advanced work in small discussion groups.