Secondary Education Major

• What is Secondary Education?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Secondary Education?
• What Courses Do Secondary Education Majors Take?
• List of Secondary Education Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Secondary Education Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Secondary Education?

A specialization in secondary education leads to certification for teaching at the high school level. In some states this may include teaching at the middle school or junior high school level, as well. Students are introduced to a variety of philosophies and approaches to secondary education through coursework and field experiences and to a wide variety of students from diverse backgrounds. Reflective teaching at the secondary level is important to ensure that pupils engage in maximal educational experiences as they prepare to enter adulthood. Professional educators are needed who are able to meet the challenges presented by a changing society, while adhering to sound instructional practice. High school teachers are certified by the state they wish to teach in. This major generally requires that a student also obtain a major in an academic discipline that is taught at the secondary school level (e.g., Social Studies, English, Biology, Physics or Mathematics).

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Secondary Education may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Art Education	Drama Education
English Education	Foreign Language Education
Math Education	Music Education
Physical Education	Physical Sciences Education
Science Education	Social Science Education

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What Kinds of Students Major in Secondary Education?

Individuals in this major have an interest in teaching and continuing their involvement in the area of education. As professional instructors they will contribute to keeping today?s children well prepared for the future through education and perhaps a little personal creativity. These people enjoy the prospect of teaching and making as good of a positive impact on their students? futures as possible.

Is Secondary Education the right major for you?
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What Courses Do Secondary Education Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Secondary Education majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Biology	etc.)
Child Development	Curriculum Development
Education of the Exceptional Child	Educational Computing and Technology
Methods of Teaching	Philosophy of Education
Practicum	Psychology of Learning
Reading in the Content Area	Social Foundations of Education
Student Teaching	Teaching (Art
Teaching the Handicapped Child

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List of Potential Jobs in Secondary Education

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Art Instructor	Curriculum Designer
Drama Instructor	English Instructor
Foreign Language Instructor	Math Instructor
Physical Education Instructor	Principal
Science Instructor	Social Science Instructor

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What is the Median Salary Range for Secondary Education Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Secondary Education

MyMajors complete list has 589 schools in the USA with a major in Secondary Education.
-View the national listing!

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For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their programs listed on MyMajors, contact for details.