Secondary Education Major (BS)
College: College of Social Sciences & Professional Studies
The secondary education major is designed for UW-Parkside students who wish to teach in a content area classroom at the middle and/or high school level. The completion of the major will lead to a bachelor of science degree with a major in secondary education. In addition to the secondary education major, students must also complete an approved content major or minor in the field in which they would like to teach.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Pupil development. The teacher understands how pupils grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. The teacher designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences for pupils.
- Learning differences. The teacher uses his or her understanding of individual pupil differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each pupil to meet high standards.
- Learning environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
- Content knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of each discipline he or she teaches. The teacher creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for pupils to assure mastery of the content.
- Application of content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage pupils in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
- Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage pupils in their own growth, to monitor pupil progress, and to guide the teacher's and pupil's decision making.
- Planning for instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every pupil in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, pedagogy, pupils, and pupils' communities.
- Instructional strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage pupils to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to develop skills to apply knowledge in a meaningful way.
- Professional learning and ethical practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning. The teacher uses evidence to continuously evaluate the teacher's practice, including the effects of the teacher's choices and actions on pupils, their families, other educators, and the community. The teacher adapts the teacher's practice to meet the needs of each pupil.
- Leadership and collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunity in order to take responsibility for pupil learning, to collaborate with pupils, their families, educators, and the community, and to advance the profession.
Requirements for the Secondary Education Major
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, including grades from all higher education institutions attended;
Completed Plan Declaration;
Complete EPP Application Form;
Meet Communication skills requirement;
Complete Education Program Disclosure Form;
Completed UW-Parkside university skills requirements with a grade of C or higher (MATH 102 Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 111 College Algebra I and ENGL 101 Composition and Reading);
For Secondary Education applicants: successful completion (grade of C+ or better) or current enrollment in EDU 100 Introduction to the Teaching Profession, EDU 200 Teaching the Whole Child, EDU 210 Exploring Equity in Education, and EDU 211 Child and Adolescent Development at time of application;
Students must meet clinical requirements.
Students must also complete an approved content major or minor in the field in which they would like to teach.
Required Major Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Professional Sequence | ||
| EDU 100 | Introduction to the Teaching Profession | 1 |
| EDU 200 | Teaching the Whole Child | 1 |
| EDU 210 | Exploring Equity In Education | 1 |
| EDU 211 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Pre-Professional Sequence Subtotal | 6 | |
| Developing Expertise Sequence | ||
| EDU 300 | Creating Effective Learning Environments | 1 |
| EDU 304 | Context and Culture In Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDU 310 | Family, School, and Community Partnerships | 1 |
| EDU 312 | Designing Learner-Centered Lesson Plans | 3 |
| EDU 322 | Teaching Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| EDU 343 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| Developing Expertise Sequence Subtotal | 14 | |
| Demonstrating Expertise in Practice Sequence | ||
| EDU 402 | Instructional Models and Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 412 | Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDU 421 | Methods of Teaching and Critical Issues in Secondary Social Studies | 3 |
| or EDU 422 | Methods of Teaching & Critical Issues in Secondary Content Areas | |
| EDU 430 | Using Action Research to Improve Instruction | 2 |
| EDU 440 | Teacher Preparation Portfolio Design | 2 |
| Demonstrating Expertise in Practice Sequence Subtotal | 13 | |
| The Residency | ||
| EDU 420 | Residency Seminar | 2 |
| EDU 425 | Residency (Student Teaching) | 10 |
| The Residency Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
Required Content Major or Minor1
Select one:
- English with a concentration in Language Arts (40 credits)
- Mathematics (44-48 credits)
- Social Studies Education Minor (21 credits)
- 1
Check with the teacher education advisor for the most up-to-date list of approved content majors.
General University Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)
In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Skills | 7-8 |
| General Education | 36 |
| Foreign Language** | 6-8 |
| Ethnic Diversity | 3 |
| Total | 52-55 |
** Transfer students in sustainable management, and health information management and technology collaborative, online degree-completion programs, the business management online degree-completion program, and the flexible option degree-completion program will be exempt from the university’s foreign language requirement. See appropriate academic section for further information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| Computational Skills | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| College Mathematics with Applications | ||
| College Algebra I | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 |
| Upper Level Credits (300 level or above) | 36 |
| Residency | 30 |
Cumulative Degree GPA: 2.0 minimum