A Message from the Coordinator of English and Communications Education
Welcome to RMU and the Teacher Certification program in Secondary English and Communications Education. I have prepared some helpful hints for students who are new to our program. Typically, we recommend that students take a mix of content courses with education courses. Here are some other tips to help you as you plan your course work:

1. Most students who need to take multiple literature requirements start their literature course work by taking ELIT1040 (Coming of Age or Young Adult Literature). This course can fill up quickly, so be certain to enroll early if you need this course.

2. Don't forget to take your state required courses (6 hours of college math, one composition/writing course, and one literature course) as soon as possible. Without completing these course requirements, you cannot apply for Candidacy status. It is important to apply for Candidacy status as early as possible (some courses are only open to those with Candidacy status).

3. Remember to take the PRAXIS I exam as soon as possible after completing your first or second required math course. Don't let the knowledge "leak"! If you have taken your math classes in the distant path, you can review the kinds of questions that will be asked on the ETS website www.ets.org/praxis/index.html (sample questions are provided). If you still feel lost, please contact the Coordinator, School of Education and Social Sciences in the Education office to learn about RMU's free PRAXIS review courses.

4. Pick up and read the Guidelines booklet for Education majors as soon as possible (for sale in the bookstore). There is much important information in this publication; I recommend reading it with a pen or a highlighter in hand.

5. When enrolling for EDUC courses, be certain that you also enroll for the required co-requisite field experiences with the same section letters (or you will not be able to submit registration for the course).

6. The following courses are typically offered only in fall semesters:
   ELIT3520 (Dramatic Art of Shakespeare), ELIT3080 (American Literature before 1865) and ELIT3120 (British Literature to 1798). Also offered typically only in a fall semester is the popular literature elective ELIT2030 (African American Literature).

7. The following courses are typically offered only in spring semesters: ELIT3090 (American Literature 1865 to Present), ELIT3130 (British Literature from 1798 to Present), and ELIT4800 (Seminar in English Studies).

8. The American and British literature survey courses (ELIT3080/ELIT3090, and ELIT3120/ELIT3130) are typically taken by students late in their course work and immediately prior to taking the PRAXIS II content exam in literature. For example, many students take ELIT3090, ELIT3130, and ELIT4800 in the spring semester and then schedule the April PRAXIS II exam.

9. Beginning in the Fall 2006 Term, English and Communications candidates will be placed for student teaching only in the fall term.

10. Education students are required to attend mandatory majors meetings every semester before they are allowed to register for the next term's classes. Notices of the meetings are sent to students' home addresses; if your address has changed, please be sure to notify the Education Department (Coordinator, School of Education and Social Sciences). Students who do not attend these meetings will be blocked from registering for the next term's classes.

11. I use e-mail to remind students of meetings, to share job opportunities, and to send general announcements. Be certain to either check your RMU e-mail frequently or have it forwarded to an address you use more regularly.

If you have other questions or concerns, please let me know.