"The writing-secondary education major at Susquehanna allowed me to explore two worlds I love - writing and teaching. I was able to further my own craft and skill in writing, while also learning workshopping and teaching strategies that have become critical in my high school classrooms. Because I have been trained to write, I am better able to teach the writing process and help those of my students who struggle with writing. The literature-based courses have given me a strong and competent grasp of the literary canon and the skills needed for literary analysis, which greatly benefits my students." --Allison Bankus '06

Creative Writing/Secondary Education Major

The Creative Writing/Secondary Education major prepares students for a career in teaching. Courses are organized to develop not only the writing skills of the student, but also to enhance the ability to teach creative writing and literature. Courses in literature are chosen to specifically to enable students to master the core of literature needed to succeed on standardized examinations required of teaching candidates and to be familiar with secondary school curricula.

Majors must complete 44 semester hours and an additional four hours in a cognate course approved by the department chair, with grades of C- or better. (Note: The Department of Education requires a cumulative grade point of 3.0 overall and in the major.)

Semester Hours

12    WR:250 courses (Introduction to Creative Writing), chosen from fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and editing and publishing

4-8    WR:350 courses (Intermediate Creative Writing), chosen from fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction

4 WRIT:450 course (Advanced Creative Writing), chosen from fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction

4    ENGL:269 English Grammar and the Writing Process

4    ENGL:290 The Study of Literature

4    ENGL: Shakespeare

4    ENGL: Survey of British Literature

4    ENGL: Survey of American Literature

4    WRIT:550 Senior Portfolio

2-4    ENGL:520 Practicum, ENGL:540 Internship, or WRIT:580 Independent Writing

4    A cognate course: TH:151 Basic Acting or CO:192 Public Speaking