Secondary Education
The secondary education certification program prepares students to teach in the secondary (7-12) schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
What is secondary education?
The secondary education certification program prepares students to teach in the secondary (7-12) schools of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Secondary education certification programs prepare students to teach in the secondary schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The College of Arts and Sciences or the John L. Grove College of Business in association with the College of Education and Human Services provides you with a major in a discipline along with a series of courses and related activities in professional education to enable you to embark on a career as a secondary school teacher.
In order to qualify for admission to one of the secondary education programs, you must meet the requirements for entry into both the major and the secondary education programs.
What secondary education programs are available?
Secondary education certification is available in the following areas:
- Art
- Business Education
- Biology
- Biology/Environmental Education
- Chemistry
- Earth-Space Science/Environmental Education/General Science
- English
- French
- Mathematics
- Physics
- (Social Studies)-Economics
- (Social Studies)-Geography
- (Social Studies)-History
- (Social Studies)-Political Science
- Spanish
With so many choices, how do I decide which program to pursue?
You select a major program area (i.e., mathematics or earth science) according to your interest and skills. You major in that discipline, completing the degree requirements for that major while you take education courses required for certification. For example, if you choose a major in English, you complete a set of 14 English courses in addition to the university’s general education program and the professional education sequence. In most cases you will complete all degree requirements in four full-time years of study. Certification in more than one area or the addition of a minor program could increase graduation requirements beyond four years.
What career choices do I have with secondary education certification?
Successful completion of a secondary education program provides you with a Pennsylvania Department of Education certification to teach in grades 7 through 12 in public schools in Pennsylvania*. In addition to teaching, many options for employment are available in business, government agencies, hospitals and industries. The addition of a master’s degree opens additional options for employment in community colleges and small colleges.
Who will be my academic advisor?
As a secondary education major, you will be assigned a faculty member from your academic department who is knowledgeable in the requirements for secondary certification. Your advisor will assist you with any academic problems that arise and will help keep you updated on various deadlines and field experiences associated with the professional education component of your major.
How will my experience as a secondary education major be different from other liberal arts majors?
Although the courses you take in your major department and in general education are very similar to other bachelor of arts and bachelor of science students, your secondary education program will involve additional requirements in both field experience and professional education. During freshman, sophomore and junior years, you will be expected to observe classes in elementary, secondary, and community college settings. Observations of physically challenged and exceptional learners are also required. The professional education sequence will include such courses as The American School, Educational Psychology, Introduction to Exceptionalities and Teaching Methods classes. A full-time, one semester, student teaching experience will be the capstone course. The current program requires two eight-week student teaching placements in different schools (one at a high school level and one in middle school). This on-the-job internship occurs in the last semester and prepares you for transition into the teaching profession.
Where can I get more information?
For specific program information, contact:
Department of (see list below)
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
Department of Art & Design
Huber Art Center 210
(717) 477-1530
Department of Biology
142 Franklin Science Center
(717) 477-1401
Department of Business Education
Contact Department of Accounting, Management Information Systems, and Information Technology for Business Education
228 Grove Hall
(717) 477-1436
Department of Chemistry
327 Franklin Science Center
(717) 477-1629
Department of Economics
324 Grove Hall
(717) 477-1437
Department of English
121 Dauphin Humanities Center
(717) 477-1495
Department of Geography/Earth Science
104 Shearer Hall
(717) 477-1685
Department of History
223 Dauphin Humanities Center
(717) 477-1621
Department of Mathematics
250 Mathematics & Computing Technologies Center
(717) 477-1431
Department of Modern Languages
Rowland Hall
(717) 477-1635
Department of Physics
123 Franklin Science Center
(717) 477-1570
Department of Political Science
424 Grove Hall
(717) 477-1718
For information regarding Post-Baccalaureate certification programs contact:
College of Education and Human Services
717-477-1141