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In this program, beginning and experienced teachers receive training and professional development for a career as a secondary school English teacher in grades seven through 12. The curriculum prepares you for initial or professional certification in the subject. As a student, you will be given opportunities to develop or refine your classroom practice as well as to expand your knowledge of English literary studies, English education, and the field of education as a whole. Courses are taught by nationally known scholars, many of whom have had experience teaching at secondary levels. The program combines rigorous and rewarding study in literary studies with practical and academic instruction in composition studies, curriculum development, and pedagogy.
Our mission is to prepare both practicing teachers and career-changers for effective classroom practice of diverse students in urban settings. This program will not only support you to gain New York State Certification but will also provide you with both the analytical and practical skills to offer students, grades seven through 12, the support needed to thrive holistically. Our graduates are hired by school districts and early childhood centers locally and nationwide. The mission of the department is to prepare teachers for effective classroom practice of diverse students in urban settings. Our goal is the development of knowledgeable, skilled teacher candidates who are well versed in research, theory, and practice.
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2025–26 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
The M.A. programs in English education leading to Initial Certification and/or Professional Certification for English teachers grades 7–12 are designed for students who plan to teach or are currently teaching. The programs offer experienced and beginning teachers opportunities to develop their classroom practice and to expand their knowledge of English education and the field of education as a whole. Courses are taught by nationally known scholars, many of whom have had experience teaching at secondary levels. Our programs combine rigorous and rewarding study in literature and composition with intensive study of curriculum, pedagogy, and schools.
The profession of teacher education is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Therefore, program requirements are subject to change. All students should consult with the Department of Secondary Education for the current requirements.
3149 Boylan Hall E: gminter@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000 ext. 3651
2403c James Hall E: pparmar@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.4377
Applicants must offer at least 15 credits in advanced courses in English. Applicants must also offer (a) or (b) or (c):
(a) New York State Initial Certification in teaching English for grades 7-12; or courses in education that meet the New York State standards for the pedagogical core. These courses include study of the following: history of education and philosophy of education or principles of education or educational sociology; educational psychology or developmental psychology or psychology of adolescence or adolescent development; classroom management; teaching students with special needs and English language learners; 6 credits in literacy and language acquisition; curriculum development and methods of assessing student learning; uses of technology in the classroom; methods of teaching English at appropriate age levels; 100 hours of fieldwork; 300 hours or 40 full days of student teaching English at appropriate grade levels, or one year of full-time teaching English at appropriate grade levels, and passage of a New York State-approved Teacher Performance Assessment.
(b) an undergraduate degree with a major in English, or appropriate coursework in English;
(c) an undergraduate major in English, the Content Specialty Test CST, an approved 200 hours preparation program and a position at an approved public school through which students can accrue on-the-job training to substitute for student teaching.
Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00. A minimum average of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.
Applicants who have not completed all the specific course requirements are given individual consideration and may be admitted with conditions, with the approval of the head of the program in English education and the chair or graduate deputy of the English Department.
International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 650 on the paper-based test or 280 on the computer-based test or 114 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.
Students should note additional requirements found in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Graduate Bulletin.
Each student is evaluated individually based upon prior experiences. Based upon this evaluation and current certification requirements of the New York State Education Department, courses in education or another department may be substituted for required courses with permission of the Program Coordinator.
Thirty to 40 credits are required for the degree.
Students who possess Initial Certification in teaching English or its equivalent must complete the following courses in English: 7010X and 7011X.
In addition, and with advisement from the chair or graduate deputy of the English Department, students must complete courses in four of the six areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: Each of the four courses must come from a different area and students may not take SEED 7507X.
Students must also complete 12 credits in courses in Education as follows: Research in English Education: SEED 7602T; Literacy in English Education: SEED 7604T; Mindfulness: SEED 7504X; Development and SEL: SEED 7507X.
Students who do not possess Initial Certification in teaching English or its equivalent must complete the following courses in English: English 7010X, and English 7011X.
In addition, and with advisement from the chair or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete courses in three of the six areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin. Each of the three courses must come from a different area.
The following four education courses are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous course work:
The following two student teaching courses are required unless candidates have a New York State waiver: SEED 7541X, 7542T and 7543T. (SEED 7500X and 7600T must be completed before student teaching). SEED 7543T is not required if the candidate is teaching English full-time at an appropriate grade level.
Students teaching with a New York State Internship Certificate must be enrolled in either SEED 7542T or 7001T during every semester that they are teaching under the certificate.
The following English education courses, or English education courses approved by the program coordinator, are required in the stated sequence unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous course work: SEED 7600T, 7601T, 7602T.
Students who are teaching or have secured a position teaching English and who hold an Alt B Certificate must complete the following English courses: 7010X and 7011X.
In addition, and with advisement from the chair or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete courses in four of the six areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: Each of the four courses must come from a different area.
Students pursuing an Alt B Certificate may substitute their teaching job for student teaching but upon consultation with their adviser must still register for SEED 6002T and must take SEED 7500X, 7600T, 7601T, 7602T, 7671X, and 7507X.
All students must pass a written comprehensive examination administered by the English Department at the end of their program. Information about the comprehensive examination is in the section of the “Academic Regulations and Procedures.”
Courses in the English Department and the School of Education offered toward the degree must be 7000-level courses.
Students pursuing an M.A. English Teacher must have taken or must take courses that meet the New York State and National Council of Teachers of English NCTE English standards. Transcript review will determine what appropriate course work students must take.
English Education graduates demonstrate the knowledge, dispositions, and pedagogical expertise to design, implement, and assess equitable, culturally and linguistically responsive English Language Arts instruction that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and social justice for diverse learners in grades 7–12.
1. Alignment with Standards for Content and Teaching Mastery
Develop pedagogical-content knowledge to support all students, including English Language Learners, students with special learning needs, and students from all racial, cultural, and gender identities, aligned with the National Council of Teachers of English National Standards, International Reading Association, New York State Education Department (NYSED) English Learning Standards, and NYSED Next Generation Learning Standards.
2. Adolescent Development and Social-Emotional Learning
Develop knowledge of adolescent development and Social-Emotional Learning to support students to acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, show empathy, maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions.
3. Creating Instructional Plans
Apply knowledge of adolescent learners, learning theory, curriculum design, pedagogy, differentiation, and educational technologies when creating instructional plans that support all students in actively engaging with and constructing meaning from a wide range of texts, including print and digital media, while considering the social and cultural contexts of language use in English Language Arts.
4. Supporting Diverse, Equitable, and Positive Learning Environments
Informed by the NYSED Culturally-Responsive Sustaining Education Framework, candidates demonstrate they have knowledge of the impact of culture and language on learning, implement culturally responsive practices while fostering a positive learning environment, and develop the skills required for working with colleagues, parents, guardians, and communities for the benefits of all students.
5. Analysis of Student Work to Improve Instruction
Analyze and evaluate student work for evidence of learning, errors, and misconceptions and use findings to engage in reflective practice supporting the improvement of learning and teaching.
Goal 1: Mastery of ELA Content and Pedagogy
Graduates demonstrate deep understanding of English Language Arts content and effective teaching practices. They design instruction that integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and media literacy pertaining to texts, composition, language, and languaging while aligning with state and national standards to meet the needs of all students.
Goal 2: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Practice
Graduates enact culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies that affirm students’ identities and experiences. They critically examine how race, language, and power shape schooling and create inclusive classrooms that honor every learner’s voice.
Goal 3: Reflective and Professional Practice
Graduates engage in reflective inquiry, collaboration, and continuous professional learning. They build partnerships with colleagues, families, and communities, and advocate for equitable literacy education grounded in ethical and socially just teaching.
Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
This program accepts nondegree applicants.
All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.
Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.
Or contact:
222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.4536
Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Schedule an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor.
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Secondary Education and the Department of English offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as an English teacher.
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