Do you love English? Do you want to become a teacher?

University of Kentucky offers the Bachelor of Secondary English Education as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Lexington, United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for secondary english education and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 21, 2027.
About Bachelor of Secondary English Education
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Secondary English Education at University of Kentucky
Entry Requirements
- Freshman Admission: Applicants who have not attended a college or university upon completion of secondary school AND who have met all requirements including English proficiency as noted below.
- Transfer Admission : Applicants who have attended a college or university upon completion of secondary school AND met all requirements including English proficiency as noted below.
- Non-degree Admission: Applicants who are exchange or visiting students.
- Conditional Admission: Applicants who meet UK’s academic requirements for admission but do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirement or the departmental specific requirements (such as certain SAT/ACT math scores for Engineering and Nursing).
- Students who are offered conditional admission because of English may either resubmit a higher TOEFL/IELTS score or enroll in UK's Center for English as a Second Language program. The duration of these courses will depend on placement test results and individual student progress. Upon successful completion of the English language course(s), the student will move seamlessly into a degree program at UK. This means no TOEFL/IELTS scores will be required if students complete CESL.
- Students who require a higher math score for Engineering may submit a higher score or switch their intended major to a program that does not have specific requirements.
- No additional application is required for Conditional Admission.
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6
- TOEFLMin 71
Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Secondary English Education
In the Secondary English Education Program you'll be equipped to teach students grades (8-12) critical skills in reading, writing, speaking & listening, digital and non-print media, and literary studies. You will also learn to build classroom environments and meaningful experiences to engage and motivate adolescents to become critical thinkers, strong readers, and skilled communicators.
Our program includes hands-on, real-world experiences. You will learn about the language arts and literacy while working with students in actual public school classrooms. Please note that this program is the initial step for students to enroll in our one-year Master's with Initial Certification Program (MIC) in order to be eligible for teaching certification.
This program is for you if you are:
- Intellectually curious, open, and excited to learn;
- Invested in learning new ideas and methods for a long, fulfilling career;
- Enthusiastic about using and understanding language arts in daily life;
- Willing to challenge and refine personal and traditional beliefs;
- Dedicated to teaching equitably for ALL learners, not just some;
- Committed to teaching language arts to adolescent students (grades 8-12).
Grow Your Future
You will complete coursework strategically selected to support your successful work in teaching literature, reading, writing, rhetoric, linguistics, English as a Second Language, special needs instruction, educational technology, and more.
You will learn both traditional practices and state-of-the-art methods and approaches to teaching high school English, and use your knowledge in balanced ways to prepare all students you work with for success in and after high school.
Teaching opportunities in English Education:
- Literature
- Reading, Writing, & Rhetoric
- Linguistics
- English as a Second Language
- Special Needs Instruction
- Educational Technology
Schedule a visit with the College of Education
Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Secondary English Education at University of Kentucky
How to Apply for Bachelor of Secondary English Education at University of Kentucky
1. Complete UK International Application for Undergraduate Admission or Common Application
2. $60 Application processing fee (non-refundable)
3. Official transcripts in English
4. English proficiency directly from testing center:
- TOEFL: 71 iBT, 543 IPT (UK administered)
- TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
- IELTS: 6.0
- Duolingo: 105
5. Optional tests: ACT / SAT (M+CR) Scores
- ACT school code: 1554 | SAT school code - 1837
- Required for engineering programs and scholarships
Priority Deadline:
- December 1 for Fall semester (August start)
- October 15 for Spring semester (January start)
*Scholarship deadline for freshmen international undergraduate students is December 1.

United States of America, Lexington