This program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in English (or its equivalent) who seek certification to teach English Language Arts in grades 6-12. (To be eligible for the program, one undergraduate course is also required in each of three areas: speech, theater, and journalism.)

Graduate coursework is required in English (12 semester hours) and Communications (3 semester hours). Of the graduate hours required in Education, nine (three courses) are focused specifically on the teaching of English Language Arts. To meet certification requirements, candidates take two undergraduate methods courses focusing specifically on the teaching of ELA; they also complete a semester-long graduate-level internship and take an accompanying classroom management course.

Candidates who complete the program are certified at the Master's (Class A) level.