Secondary Education
The major in Secondary Education (EDSD) is a field-oriented program designed to prepare you to teach students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12).
As a student seeking teacher certification in high school teaching, you may begin taking some of your courses in your sophomore year (see suggested sequence of courses). However, the majority of your courses in this major will be completed in your junior and senior years; with student teaching in the final semester of your senior year.
The courses are structured so that you work with a cohort of peers throughout your program. In this way, you have the opportunity to observe, practice, discuss and reflect on the knowledge and methods you’re learning in your courses.
We hope you consider this valuable and rewarding career in education. For more information, please contact Dr. Tom Wacker at tdwacker@presby.edu.
*Graduates of this program may also be eligible for a second certification in middle level education (grades 5-8) with the addition of EDMS 341.
Requirements for Secondary Education Certification in Biology, English, Social Studies, or Mathematics
In order to teach in a secondary school setting, a student will major in the teaching area of interest (i.e., science, English, history, or mathematics) and will minor in secondary education. Students seeking the minor and Certification in Secondary Education must complete thirty-seven hours, including EDSD 301, 302, 394, 400, 401, 402, and 403; EDUC 201, 350, 371, 391, 392, and 393; and PSYC 213.
Students who wish to be certified to teach social studies in the high-school setting must meet the requirements for the major in history. See page 40 for additional information.
Students who wish to be certified to teach science in the high school setting must meet the requirements for the major in biology. If you are considering secondary biology education take PHYS 211 (Earth Science) as well as your other required science general education courses.
Secondary Education Program of Study : Possible Course Sequence
EDSD ● Secondary Education
301 Principles and Philosophies of Education (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) Analysis of the organizational structure, curriculum development, and social influences that shape American ―secondary‖ education as they affect the classroom teacher.
302 Methods and Materials of High School Teaching (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) Limited to those students seeking the professional teaching certificate. A consideration of current theories, methods, and materials of secondary school instruction including the development of instructional practices and materials appropriate for the secondary school and familiarization with curriculum materials. Activities and topics are individualized according to the teaching programs of those enrolled. A minimum grade of C is required.
394 Practicum in Classroom Management and Organization (1) (PR: EDUC/EDEC 392 ● XL: EDEC, EDMS and EDEL 394) This practicum in classroom management and organization provides for direct involvement in the school and classroom setting during the week of preplanning and the first week of school. Students study the school context; learn effective procedures necessary for the establishing, managing, and organizing a classroom; and participate in opening school experiences.
398 Honors Research (3-6) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) Departmental Honors: Students with a 3.20 GPA in all courses and a 3.40 GPA in all courses in the major field may, with the approval of departmental faculty, undertake an honors research program during the junior and/or senior years. This program must include a senior thesis or project of exceptional quality and an oral defense of the paper or project before departmental members. This defense is to be open to the College community, and honors students will participate in all other defenses within their discipline. Students who successfully complete the departmental honors research program will graduate ―with honors‖ in the major field.
400 Observation/Assessment; 401 Planning; and 402 Teaching: Directed Teaching In Secondary School Education (3, 3, 6) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program; SR status and successful completion of all requirements for clinical practice ● XL: MUSC 411, 412, and 413) A program of supervised observation and teaching in cooperation with selected secondary schools in which opportunities are provided for the student to practice the skills of teaching. A minimum grade of ―C‖ is required to receive the College‘s recommendation for certification.
403 Reading in the Secondary School (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) Required for certification in all secondary areas. Emphasis placed on methods and techniques that teachers can use to teach reading in the content area.
442 Directed Studies (1-6) (PR: JR or SR status; departmental majors and students in teacher certification programs only; minimum GPA 2.5) Designed to allow the student to pursue a topic of special interest. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Each directed study will culminate in a research paper or its equivalent. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in a directed study to count toward its major.
444 Internships (1-6) (PR: minimum GPA 2.5) A maximum of six hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis only. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.
446 Readings (1-6) Selected readings are open to students with sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Hours earned in these readings cannot be used to meet requirements for the major. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.
448 Research (1-6) (PR: departmental majors and students in teacher certification programs; minimum GPA 2.5) A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.
450 Seminar (3) Seminars are regularly offered by various departments of the College. The requirements for these courses are individually listed.
452 Special Projects (1-6) Special Projects are open to sophomore, junior, or senior students who have a GPA of 2.25 and approval by the Provost. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.
458 Special Topics (1-6) Special topics courses are those that cover subject matter that is not part of the regular curriculum. A special topics course must have the prior approval of the department and the Provost and may be offered twice. Students may enroll in and receive credit for an unlimited number of special topic courses as long as any prerequisites or other requirements are met.
