English Language Arts Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for those committed to shaping the next generation of readers, writers, and critical thinkers, this program equips future educators with the advanced pedagogical and content knowledge needed to teach English Language Arts across diverse educational settings. It emphasizes the integration of literacy development, literary analysis, and effective communication strategies to foster student engagement and academic growth.
- English Grammar and Syntax: Explores the structural foundations of the English language, including rules of sentence construction, punctuation, and linguistic patterns essential for effective written and spoken communication.
- Composition and Writing Instruction: Focuses on methods for teaching the writing process, from brainstorming and drafting to revision and editing, with an emphasis on developing clarity, coherence, and style in student writing.
- Literary Analysis and Interpretation: Develops skills in examining diverse literary works across genres, time periods, and cultural contexts, enabling educators to guide students in close reading and critical evaluation.
- Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies: Teaches how to create engaging, standards-aligned lesson plans and implement differentiated instruction to meet the varied needs of learners in K–12 classrooms.
- Assessment and Feedback Techniques: Covers formative and summative assessment methods, including rubrics and performance-based evaluations, to measure student progress and inform instruction.
- Language Development and Multilingual Learners: Addresses strategies for supporting English language learners and fostering inclusive classrooms where linguistic diversity is valued and leveraged as a resource.
English Language Arts Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
English Language Arts Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with English Language Arts Teacher Education degrees, including English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,811,590 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1123 | $78,270 | $47,540 - $154,800 | 59,590 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
English Language Arts Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,470 in Oklahoma to $102,918 in California—a 96% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,811,590 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for English Language Arts Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering English Language Arts Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in English Language Arts Teacher Education is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (258 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (124 graduates), CUNY Queens College (66 graduates), Liberty University (51 graduates), and Bridgewater State University (BSU) (47 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,215 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
|
258 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
124 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
66 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
51 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
47 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| Southern Nazarene University (SNU) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Bethany, Oklahoma | Private | snu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
35 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
26 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
24 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Master's
|
24 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Master's
|
21 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
18 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Lesley University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | lesley.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Drexel University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
14 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
13 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
13 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Truman State University |
Master's
|
13 | Kirksville, Missouri | Public | truman.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Master's
|
13 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
13 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| University of Maine (UMF) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Farmington, Maine | Public | umf.maine.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
|
11 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Adrian College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | adrian.edu |
| Itawamba Community College (ICC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Fulton, Mississippi | Public | iccms.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Widener University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Private | widener.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
9 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRAg) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Public | uprag.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
|
8 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about English Language Arts Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a English Language Arts Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for English Language Arts Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,270 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $102,918 compared to $52,470 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,811,590 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest English Language Arts Teacher Education programs?
Currently 385 accredited institutions offer English Language Arts Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (258 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (124 graduates), and CUNY Queens College (66 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in English Language Arts Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,075 in 2010 to a peak of 3,455 in 2020, before declining slightly to 3,018 in 2023-24. This represents a 26% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a English Language Arts Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,811,590 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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