Secondary Education, BA/BS
Program Description
The Secondary Education program is highlighted by in-depth study in a subject major and a subject minor, extended field experience in secondary school settings, and focused development of the knowledge and skills critical for effective teachers. The program leads to a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in the student’s major area.
Secondary-level teacher certification in Michigan permits individuals to teach the subject areas, in which they hold endorsements, at grades 6-12. The subject majors and minors provide the required coursework for the related endorsements. Completing the coursework and passing the corresponding Michigan Test for Teacher Certification subject test enable graduates to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind and to be highly qualified in their subject areas.
Subject major and minor options are listed below. Specific requirements for these are found in the appropriate sections of this catalog.
Majors
- Chemistry
- English Language and Literature
- Integrated Science
- Mathematics
- Social Science
Minors
- Chemistry
- English Language and Literature
- Mathematics
Students begin their studies in the secondary education program with a focus on general education requirements, an academic major and an academic minor. They complete the initial professional education coursework in their sophomore year and apply for formal admission to the program at the end of that year. By that time, they will have also passed the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Professional Readiness Examination.
Upper-level professional education coursework, along with the completion of the major and minor, is the focus for the junior and senior years. Student teaching, a semester-long culminating experience, may be completed in the spring of the fourth year or the fall of the fifth year, depending on the individual student’s progress through the program. Generally, this student teaching experience will be in the Eastern Upper Peninsula or in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification subject test in the major must be passed prior to beginning student teaching.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Content Knowledge: Candidates apply appropriate depth of knowledge to engage learners in mastering content.
- Learner-centeredness: Candidates value the uniqueness of each individual through their commitment to learners and learner-centered processes.
- Pedagogical Knowledge: Candidates engage learners using a variety of instructional strategies and perspectives.
- Professional dispositions: Candidates demonstrate professional dispositions, assuming the full role of the teacher.
- Reflection: Candidates self-evaluate and reflect on feedback from others, including students, to continually improve their pedagogical practices.
Degree Requirements
The components of the Secondary Education: Bachelor of Arts/Sciences programs are:
Academic Major: Choose one from the above (see requirements under the subject area in this catalog)
Optional Academic Minor: Choose one from list above (see requirements in the Minors section of this catalog)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Professional Education Sequence | ||
EDUC 250 | Student Diversity and Schools | 4 |
EDUC 301 | Educ Psych & Learning Theory | 3 |
EDSE 301 | Intro to Special Education | 3 |
EDUC 350 | Int Tech 21st Century Lrn Env | 3 |
EDUC 415 | General Instructional Methods | 2 |
EDUC 440 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
EDUC 44X or EDUC 45X | Methods in major and in minor (minimum 3 credits) | 3 |
EDUC 460 | Classroom Management | 2 |
EDUC 480 | Directed Teaching Seminar | 2 |
EDUC 492 | Directed Teaching | 10 |
Education Cognates | ||
EDUC 101 | Self as Learner | 2 |
MATH 207 | Prin of Statistical Methods | 3 |
Total Hours | 40 |
Formal admission to the program, qualification for student teaching, and successful completion of the program requires the following:
- Completion of the Professional Education Sequence courses with a grade of B- (2.70) or higher
- Completion of all required courses in the education cognates, teaching major and teaching minor with a GPA of 2.70 or higher and no grade below a C (2.00).
- Completion of the General Education Core Requirements with a GPA of 2.00 or higher.
- Passing scores on all required Michigan Test for Teacher Certification tests.
The Secondary Education program undergoes periodic review, evaluation, and alignment with the Michigan Department of Education standards. Since program approval and renewal cycles vary, individuals should contact the School of Education regularly to confirm the current requirements of each program component. Graduates must meet the standards that are in place at the time of completion of their programs, in order to be recommended to the Department of Education for teacher certification.
General Education: All bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
Bachelor of Arts degree (6-8 credits): One year of a modern language other than English. If taken at LSSU, this would be OJIB 130 Ojibwe Lang I Anishinaabemowin-OJIB 131 Ojibwe Lng II Anishinaabemowin or SPAN 161 First Year Spanish I-SPAN 162 First Year Spanish II. One-half year of two different languages will not meet this requirement.
A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.70 or higher. A gpa of 2.70 or higher is also required in your Major, and a gpa of 2.00 or higher is required in your General Education Requirements.