FAQ

What is a Two-Year College?
Two-year colleges (also known as community colleges or vocational or technical colleges) are inclusive institutions that strive to provide educational access and opportunity to all. In the words of the American Association of Community Colleges, "Community colleges are centers of educational opportunity. They are an American invention that put publicly funded higher education at close-to-home facilities, beginning nearly 100 years ago with Joliet Junior College. Since then, they have been inclusive institutions that welcome all who desire to learn, regardless of wealth, heritage, or previous academic experience. The process of making higher education available to the maximum number of people continues to evolve at 1,173 public and independent community colleges. When the branch campuses of community colleges are included, the number totals about 1,600." (http://www.aacc.nche.edu/)
Who enrolls in two-year colleges?
Two-year colleges are highly diverse communities. More than sixty percent of all college students in the United States receive their education at a community college. In Illinois alone, nearly a million residents enroll in community colleges annually. Returning adults make up seventy percent of this student population, and two-thirds of minority students enrolled in the public education sector pursue their degrees at community colleges.
What kinds of English courses are typically offered in two-year colleges?

What kinds of training and credentials prepare aspiring two-year college faculty?
What kinds of teaching jobs are available in two year colleges?
How can I be competitive for full-time appointments in community college teaching?
The job market for any academic employment in the Chicago area is extremely competitive. In order to pursue full-time employment in two year college teaching, most applicants will need to conduct a professional nationwide job search. Numerous resources are available to help certificate program students accomplish this. In addition, prospective two year college faculty should continue to develop their teaching portfolios, remain active in professional debates in English studies, and stay current on the wide range of topics and issues in higher education that pertain to their fields.
Can I teach English at a four-year college or university with a Master’s Degree?
Do I need a certificate to teach in a two-year college?

What coursework is required for the certificate?
The certificate requires 16 hours of graduate credit: three graduate-level courses in English and an internship in teaching English or writing. The following requirements may be taken as part of, or as a supplement to, the MA in English or the MA in Writing.
- ENG 474 Teaching Literature (required)
- WRD 480 Teaching Writing (required)
- One additional course to be determined in consultation with the Certificate Program Director
- ENG 509 Teaching Internship
How can I apply for admission to the certificate program?
To be admitted to the certificate program, students must have completed or be enrolled in a Master’s degree in English, writing, or a related field. Applicants must submit to the director of the certificate program: an application form, a current CV, all academic transcripts (if these are not already on file at DePaul) a sample of recent critical or professional writing, the names of two faculty references, and a statement describing the student’s particular interests in teaching in two-year colleges. Like the MA programs, the certificate program has rolling admissions. You may apply at any time for admission during the following quarter.
Can I count courses taken toward the MA in English or the MA in Writing toward the certificate program as well?
Is the teaching internship mandatory for the certificate program?
If I did graduate work at another institution, can credits earned there count toward the certificate program?
If I have already taken an internship in another field, may I also count a teaching internship toward my degree?

Why teach at two-year colleges?

What is a Two-Year College?

Who enrolls in two-year colleges?

What kinds of English courses are typically offered in two-year colleges?

Why earn a certificate?

What kinds of training and credentials prepare aspiring two-year college faculty?

What kinds of teaching jobs are available in two year colleges?

How can I be competitive for full-time appointments in community college teaching?

Can I teach English at a four-year college or university with a Master’s Degree?

Do I need a certificate to teach in a two-year college?

What does it take to get a certificate?

What coursework is required for the certificate?

How can I apply for admission to the certificate program?

Can I count courses taken toward the MA in English or the MA in Writing toward the certificate program as well?

Is the teaching internship mandatory for the certificate program?

If I did graduate work at another institution, can credits earned there count toward the certificate program?

If I have already taken an internship in another field, may I also count a teaching internship toward my degree?

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Undergraduate College Office

Graduate Office

Graduate Admission