Concentrations are really helpful but sometimes- overlooked opportunities. They can be difficult to manage, but with the right advising, time management and will power, they can be achieved and will help you in the long run.
There is a concentration for every single department. “A concentration is just a more specific track than just having your major,” Chair of the History Department David Coles said.
So, what's the difference between a major, minor and concentration? “A major is the broadest form of the field. A minor is a little more specific, and a concentration is for those who really know what they want to do when they graduate Longwood,” Coles said.
There are three different types of concentrations for English majors: Creative Writing, Rhetoric and Professional Writing, and Secondary Licensure.
“Creative Writing is for those who want to become full time authors or work in the publishing field in some way,” Chair of English and Modern Languages Wade Edwards said. Creative Writing also has several workshop style classes where students and the professor will give each other feedback. It also helps those who want to become editors and want to work in the publishing field. Longwood provides many opportunities for students to read their works for charity events.
If you’re looking for a practical job in the English Department besides teaching, Rhetoric and Professional Writing Concentration might be your area.
Rhetoric and Professional Writing delves deeper into persuasive writing. “Rhetoric and technical writing is [geared] toward journalism, copy editing and campaign ads or captions,” said Edwards.
Students can also achieve a teaching license with the Secondary Licensure Concentration If you obtain your teaching license, it can lead you into other courses to teach such as journalism and speech classes and many more.
The most difficult part about getting your teaching license is that you need to be admitted to teacher prep before you can start your teaching experience. You’re not automatically admitted to teacher prep just because you got accepted into Longwood. It's a whole other ball game.
The requirements to get into the teacher prep program are to get an acceptable score on the Praxis I, Praxis II and the VCLA test. You must have at least a C in English 150. You need to complete the online application. You need to have at least a 2.5 GPA. You also need two positive recommendations from your EDUC 260 and 245 teachers.
“Concentrations also overlap a lot with either the major classes [or even your] minor classes as well,” Edwards said.
For example you could be a Modern Language Undergraduate, an English major and have a concentration in Rhetoric and Professional Writing.
“If you don't declare a concentration when you apply, you can always obtain a change of major form from the department chair or the registrar’s office and they will add the change for you,” Edwards said.
A new concentration can be added or taken away “based on the needs of the students, or what seems to be drawing the students ...then faculty would be hired to fit that description.”
Concentrations are great, very helpful and show your many talents, especially if you have many interests that you want to study. Concentrations are important assets and will help you later in life. Yes, it may be a little more time consuming and a lot of hard work, but it’s well worth it.
