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Secondary Education Degree

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)

Guide teens by teaching them and helping them find their interests, now and for their future.

High school is a critical time of education – and teaching students during their teen years has its challenges and rewards. When you earn your Secondary Education degree from UND, you’ll learn how to effectively teach life skills and knowledge for students in 7th through 12th grade.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
125

What is a Secondary Education degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

The University of North Dakota offers the most comprehensive selection of Teacher Education majors, minors and endorsements in the state. The Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education prepares you to teach in high school classrooms in North Dakota, Minnesota and across the nation.

By earning your Secondary Education degree, you'll complete a double major: a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education for high school teacher preparation, and a B.A. or B.S. related to your content area of choice.

Your program concludes in a student teaching experience where you'll send a semester delivering instruction in a classroom that matches your content area.

Context Areas for Dual Secondary Education Degree

Already have a degree? Pair it with our Secondary Education degree.

If you already have a bachelor's degree in the arts and sciences, you may become qualified to teach grades 7-12 by earning your B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education.

UND's Secondary Education Degree

  • Teacher Education faculty and staff continue to work with you after graduation. We'll help you complete materials needed to obtain your teaching license and/or endorsement.

  • The Teacher Education Program connects you with local volunteer opportunities at area schools. You'll add to your teaching experience, building your resume, and creating professional networks.

  • As a student in Teacher Education, you’ll be eligible for scholarships through the College of Education & Human Development. As a future science teacher, you may also qualify for state and federal funding such as the TEACH Grant to help offset the cost of your degree.

  • You can get an authentic global perspective on education through Teacher Education at UND by studying abroad. Students have learned at universities in Finland, Ireland, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway and elsewhere.

  • All teacher education programs at the University of North Dakota are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education is also approved by the North Dakota Educational Standards and Licensing Board.

  • Be part of the ND Essential Skills Network. You’ll share experiences, celebrate successes, and problem-solve perceived barriers related to social emotional learning.

 What can you do with a Secondary Education degree?

93%

UND Secondary Education students pass the Praxis content exam on the first attempt

96%

UND Secondary Education students pass the Principles of Learning & Teaching Exam on the first attempt

It's essential to research the specific licensure requirements in the state or country where you intend to teach, as each region may have its own set of criteria, examinations and application procedures for teacher licensure.

You'll be eligible for licensure to teach in North Dakota after:

  1. Successfully completing a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) with an overall grade point average of at least 2.75
  2. Passing state licensure exams
  3. Meeting the state's legal requirements with a satisfactory background check
If seeking a license in North Dakota, you should apply to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board prior to graduation.

If you're interested in a teacher license from states other than North Dakota, contact the Advising Office for the College of Education & Human Development to determine if this degree meets the criteria for licensure in your state.

Secondary Education Careers

Begin teaching in high school classrooms at public and private schools in North Dakota, Minnesota and across the nation.

  • Graduates find there is high demand in large cities as well as rural districts.
  • School districts report critical shortages in all content areas, demonstrating a need for teachers throughout the state.

High school teachers typically do the following:

  • Plan lessons and instruct their students in the subject they teach
  • Assess students’ abilities, strengths, and weaknesses
  • Adapt lessons to changes in class size
  • Grade students’ assignments and exams
  • Communicate with parents about students’ progress
  • Work with individual students to challenge them and to improve their abilities
  • Prepare students for standardized tests required by the state
  • Develop and enforce classroom rules and administrative policies
  • Supervise students outside of the classroom—for example, during extracurricular activities or coaching athletics

Secondary Education Degree Courses

T&L 350. Development and Education of the Adolescent. 3 Credits.

A comprehensive examination of the characteristics and behavior of the adolescent student with implications for curriculum and instruction in the junior/middle and high schools. Topics covered will be transition from childhood to adolescence, including cognitive development, self-concept, physiological changes, social needs and values, and values and attitudes of adolescents. This course will provide an understanding of the wide range of differences in developmental patterns of children and the influences of economic, sociological and psychological factors in development. An additional 10 hour field experience is required for the course. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education Program and T&L 250. F.

T&L 432. Learning Environments. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this class is to study psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence classroom behavior and to examine elements that contribute to a positive learning environment. An additional 15 hour field experience is required for the course over a three-week period. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F,S.

T&L 433. Multicultural Education. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to implement a multicultural approach to teaching and learning by examining how race, ethnicity, and culture influence students' experiences in schools. This course's content provides teacher candidates with the knowledge and concepts they need to enhance their understanding of socio-cultural consciousness through culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy. Teacher candidates will understand how to develop appropriate, informed, and sensitive responses to the rich diversity (gender, sexuality, exceptionality, age, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, race, language, and culture) of student learners in the classroom as a pathway to be inclusive. This course explores immigration and refugees' issues and examines cultural assumptions, implicit biases, attitudes, and values that shape our perceptions and predicate our actions. This exploration prepares teacher candidates to create spaces in their learning environments where all learners are supported through acknowledgment of multiple identities, funds of knowledge, and experiences to surface and interrupt oppression. This multicultural course highlights the effects of settler colonialism on Native Peoples. This course will help students to learn about the American Indian Reservations in North Dakota: The history, language, school settings, population, tribal governments, sovereignty laws, and early education for North Dakota's Native Peoples. Note: course requires you to complete 10 hours of field experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F,S,SS.

T&L 339. Educational Technology. 3 Credits.

Students will demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts and operations that not only support classroom curriculum but provide an avenue for continuing professional development. Students will learn to apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. The class will help students understand the social, ethical, legal and human issues that surround the use of technology in PK-12 schools. F,S,SS.

T&L 345. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. 3 Credits.

A general curriculum development and instruction course designed for the undergraduate pre-service middle school and/or secondary teacher across all disciplines. It introduces and provides practice in planning, multiple instructional strategies, and methods of formal and informal assessment. It considers the impact of historical foundations, teaching philosophy, discipline standards, knowledge of diverse learners and special needs, and technology on curriculum development. Prerequisite: T&L 250. F,S.

T&L 400. Methods and Materials. 3 Credits.

Various teaching methods and strategies and the materials used in teaching in a subject area. (Some Methods and Materials courses carry an academic department prefix and number. The number of methods courses required by a department may vary. Consult with an adviser.) Some offered F only; some F,S. See adviser. Prerequisite: T&L 250 and T&L 345, and admission to the Teacher Education program. Corequisite: T&L 486. Repeatable to 18.00 credits. F,S.

Ready to Lead

Olivia Rike-Norman, a double major in secondary education and mathematics, is using her experience in undergraduate research to help teach the next generation.

Read Olivia's Story

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Looking to connect with the college or find a similar degree?

Department Contact
Ryan Summers
Program Area Coordinator
P 701.777.3144
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