Why Elms for your Secondary Education degree?

  • 100% employment rate (class of 2019)
  • Your initial teaching license qualifies you to begin teaching in Massachusetts and more than 40 states, islands, and territories.
  • Specialize in grades 8-12 (bio or math) or grades 5-12 (English, history)

As a secondary education teacher, you face the particular challenges that come with a roomful of pre-teens and teenagers. A positive classroom environment that engages students and promotes equity among them is key to your and your students’ success. Our program teaches you how to maintain your students’ enthusiasm for subject matter, staying intellectually engaged while collaborating with colleagues, parents, and peers.

We show you how to plan your curriculum and lessons based on state requirements, while infusing them with multiple learning opportunities and meaningful achievement measures. We introduce you to current educational theories, best practices, and managing time and classroom resources.

Secondary Education students will be able to:

  • Plan curriculum and instruction based on state frameworks and appropriate pedagogy.
  • Deliver effective instruction by infusing lessons with high expectations, sufficient learning opportunities, and meaningful achievement measures.
  • Structure classroom climate and operation by establishing appropriate uses of time, space, and management strategies.
  • Promote equity by working to build on the assets each student contributes to the classroom culture and motivate effort among all students.
  • Meet professional responsibilities by maintaining an enthusiasm for both subject matter pedagogy and personal relationship building, while collaborating with colleagues, parents, and students.

Quick Info

Our program prepares prospective teachers to work in

Grades 8 to 12:

  • Biology
  • Mathematics

Grades 5 to 12:

  • English
  • History

Michael Fleury ’18

Photo of Michael Fleury '18, secondary education and English literature double major

“Now that I’m in the workforce, I can see that teaching was the perfect decision for me. It was a perfect match.”

Michael gained over 100 hours of teaching experience in the classroom, ultimately landing a full-time position at a local high school. Read Michael’s story.

Curriculum

Click to view course requirements for the Secondary Education (B.A.).

Initial License in one of the following:

Biology or Mathematics, Grades 8-12; and History, Grades 5-12

Major Requirements (54 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
EDU 1000Introduction to Schooling and Education3
EDU 1008Writing for Educators3
PSY 2104Children’s Learning and Development3
EDU 3109Students with Special Needs3
EDU 3300Middle & Secondary Culture and Curriculum3
EDU 3403Models of Inclusion3
EDU 3600Seminar in Professional Education3
EDU 3700Middle & Secondary Methods3
EDU 4106Technology in Education3
EDU 4308No Fault Classroom Management3
EDU 4901Educating English Language Learners3
EDU 4203Pre-Practicum5
EDU 4204Pre-Practicum Seminar1
EDU 4309Literacy Across Disciplines3

One of the following

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
EDU 4300ABiology (8-12) Initial Practicum12
EDU 4804AHistory (5-12) Initial Practicum12
EDU 4300EMathematics (8-12) Initial Practicum12