Secondary Education (Second Major Only)

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Offered by the School of Education , the undergraduate program in Secondary Education is designed for students who wish to obtain teaching credentials in secondary education while completing their majors in the humanities, arts, natural and social sciences. The second major in Secondary Education meets certification requirements in the District of Columbia and establishes eligible for certification in over 40 states. Students should consult with the director of Teacher Education to coordinate their general and subject-area certification requirements with other university and major requirements.

Admission to Candidacy in Teacher Education

Undergraduates seeking teacher certification in secondary education should contact an advisor in the School of Education as early as possible. Admission to the university and declaration of a major does not constitute admission to candidacy in teacher education, which is based on academic and related performance criteria.

To be admitted to candidacy, students take the PRAXIS CORE or equivalency exam as set by the District of Columbia; earn an average grade of 2.70 or higher in EDU-205 Schools and Society FA4 (3) and EDU-420 Psychology of Education (3) , pass EDU-321 Field Experience: Observation and Analysis (2) , receive satisfactory recommendations from faculty, and have an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.70 or higher. Secondary Education majors must also have a 3.00 grade point average in their primary major. The Teacher Education Committee reviews student applications and makes decisions regarding admission to candidacy.

Liberal Arts and Science Requirements for Teacher Certification: Secondary

To qualify for teacher certification, students must complete subject-area certification standards. These requirements may overlap with university requirements.

Major Requirements

41 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 38 credit hours at or above 300-level
Completion of the major requirements with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA in one of the following: American Studies (BA) , Anthropology (BA) , Applied Mathematics (BS) , Biochemistry (BS) , Biology (BS) , Chemistry (BS) , Economics (BA) , Economics (BS) , Environmental Science (BS) , Environmental Studies (BA) , Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) (BA) , History (BA) , International Studies (BA) , Justice and Law (BA) , Legal Studies (BA) , Literature (BA) , Mathematics (BS) , Mathematics and Economics (BS) , Neuroscience (BS) , Physics (BA) , Physics (BS) , Political Science (BA) , Psychology (BA) , Sociology (BA) , Statistics (BS) , or an equivalent minor with approval from the Director of the Office of Teacher Education
Minimum 2.70 cumulative GPA
Completion of Praxis Content Knowledge Exam prior to graduation

Course Requirements

Required (20 credit hours)

Note: EDU-205 Schools and Society FA4 (3) , EDU-321 Field Experience: Observation and Analysis (2) , and EDU-420 Psychology of Education (3) must be taken prior to application for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Special Education (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Methods (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or methods course offered by an arts and sciences department and approved by School of Education advisor:

Capstone (12 credit hours)

EDU-499 Student Teaching Seminar in Professional Practice (12)