95%
of our elementary and secondary teacher candidates pass rates on the Basic Skills and Pedagogy licensure exams on the first try.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Literature (5-12)
The Communication Arts and Literature (5-12) Major focuses on reading and writing. As a teacher, you’ll introduce students to the many ways people the world over communicate through literature. In addition to being prepared to teach communication arts and literature, you’ll gain communication skills to help advance your career.
Why Study Communication Arts and Literature Education at St. Thomas?
In four years, you’ll earn your bachelor’s degree and licensure to teach in grades 5-12. Our expert faculty are practitioners who are closely connected with the K-12 classroom in diverse settings. They will help you become the inspiring teacher you want to be.
You’ll graduate with:
- A BA degree with a double major in education and communication arts and literature.
- Excellent leadership skills.
- The knowledge and skills to have a positive impact on students in the K-12 classroom.
- A supportive network of fellow students, alumni and faculty that will inspire and sustain you throughout your career.
- A deep understanding of the education system in Minnesota.
Program Overview
Course Requirements
Your coursework will include education classes in curriculum and instruction, along with extensive field experience and student teaching.
Four-Year Plan
Our faculty are here to develop your four-year plan catered to your personal and professional goals.
Degree Awarded
BA in Education with a licensure in Communication Arts and Literature (5-12).
Mentored Clinical Practice
Your teaching experience begins as early as your first education course. We support you as you develop your teaching skills. Throughout your student teaching, you’ll have regularly scheduled seminars with faculty and peers. The mentorship you receive will ensure your student teaching experience meets your needs and facilitates your growth, both personally and professionally.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
Your coursework will include education classes in curriculum and instruction, along with extensive field experience and student teaching.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Our faculty are here to develop your four-year plan catered to your personal and professional goals.
Degree Awarded
Degree Awarded
BA in Education with a licensure in Communication Arts and Literature (5-12).
Mentored Clinical Practice
Mentored Clinical Practice
Your teaching experience begins as early as your first education course. We support you as you develop your teaching skills. Throughout your student teaching, you’ll have regularly scheduled seminars with faculty and peers. The mentorship you receive will ensure your student teaching experience meets your needs and facilitates your growth, both personally and professionally.
A Community of Educators
Amy Smith, Associate Professor, Teacher Education
Amy Smith believes classic literature comes alive for students when paired with young adult literature with similar themes. In her Adolescent Literacy course, she pairs Huckleberry Finn with Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and Romeo and Juliet with John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. “When students read something authentic to them and then read the classics, the classics become more relevant,” Smith said.
Andrew Scheiber, Professor of English
The point of poetry and more challenging literature is to slow down the process of attention, according to Dr. Scheiber, paraphrasing a favorite literary critic. Ironically, Dr. Scheiber said, slow readers are actually more successful in the sometimes intimidating poetry sections of his courses than those students used to taking things in at a glance. His advice for new literature teachers is to promote the practice of paying really close attention to texts. “If students can get over the fear of literature, they can be very engaged and enthusiastic about it,” he said.
Julie Zappa ’18, Holy Angels, Richfield
Shakespeare famously said “all the world’s a stage.” Julie Zappa takes that to heart. The literature teacher has built a stage in her high school classroom and each week posts a cast list. Rather than shunning Shakespeare, her students, who are reading Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, rush to see what role they’ll get to act out in class. “I think the rigorous coursework in Communication Arts and English at St. Thomas gave me the knowledge to teach, and the education courses gave me the ability to teach that knowledge so well,” she said.
Samantha Valenta ’20, Communication Arts and Literature Education major
“I could talk about literature all day,” said Samantha Valenta when asked why she wants to teach communication arts and literature. Her other inspiration is her sister. “I saw how teachers helped her – or overlooked her,” said Valenta. “My sister was not a typical student, but she had so much potential. I want to help students like that.” Her St. Thomas education courses have taught her not to put students into a box, but to foster their potential to be the best they can be.
Possible Careers
- High School Teacher: English, Communications, Creative Writing, Journalism
- Middle School Teacher: English, Communications, Creative Writing, Journalism
- Debate Coach
Faculty With Real Experience
Karen Latterell, Adjunct faculty
Amy Smith, Associate Professor, Teacher Education
Andrew Scheiber, Professor of English
Quick Facts
4
Complete your BA with licensure in four years.
8
Tommies have been named Minnesota Teacher of the year since 2000.
Field Experience
Diverse field experiences in public, private, parochial and charter schools where we have deep relationships help you gain confidence in your teaching.
Student Teaching
Your teaching experience begins as early as your first education course. By the time you graduate you’ll have completed one year of supervised and supported student teaching.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.