Secondary Education
Did you have a teacher whose encouragement gave you the confidence to master a challenging subject? Students reach a critical juncture in their educational progression during the middle and high school grades. Teachers also inspire and help students discover the areas of study they wish to pursue in college. The Secondary Teacher Education major prepares you to impact young people’s lives in profound and life-changing ways.
Why Choose Secondary Education?
Become a licensed teacher in four years! Becoming a teacher is a rigorous process, but one that can be achieved at Western New England University in just four years. You will complete an integrated major in Secondary Education and one of the following content majors: Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, History, or Mathematical Sciences. The Secondary Teacher Education program is a state-approved program, accredited through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). After successfully completing coursework, fieldwork, and a full-time teaching practicum, you will be prepared to teach students in grades 8-12 in Massachusetts and have reciprocity to teach in approximately 40 other states via the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Contract.
What Will You Study?
The aim of our program is to provide you with strong subject matter knowledge and the professional skills that will help you become an effective secondary school teacher. You will take a mixture of education and content courses. Each major is carefully designed to meet the requirements for Massachusetts licensure and your University course requirements. Required courses include: Introduction to Secondary Education, Teaching English Language Learners, Principles and Problems of Education, Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools, in addition to hours in local schools. A Secondary Teaching Practicum (student teaching experience) is also required; occurring only in the fall semester of senior year, allowing you the richest opportunity to learn how to set up a classroom, establish a class community, and implement curriculum.
Career Opportunities
This program educates you to launch your career in middle or high school teaching (grades 8-12). You will also be well-prepared to continue to graduate school if interested in other education-related jobs like school librarian, reading specialist, instructional coordinator, and guidance counselor. Western New England University offers master's degrees for secondary teachers in English, Mathematics, and Curriculum and Instruction.
Clubs & Organizations
Secondary Education students may have interests in: Alpha Lambda Delta (First-year honor society), Biology Club, Chemistry Club, Management Association, Mortar Board Society, and Math Club. Many of our students also participate in varsity and intramural sports, special interest groups, serve as tutors or peer advisors, and in student government.
Faculty
Members of the department have been classroom teachers, and go into local schools on a regular basis. Our prime focus is teaching and mentoring you so that you can become the best teacher possible for your students. Students find our professors easy to approach and available for one-to-one consultation. During your practicum you will have the support of a faculty member and a secondary school teacher in one of the local schools. All full-time faculty members in the Department have doctoral degrees and impressive academic credentials, as well as significant on-the-job experience as teachers in public and private schools.
Unique Learning Opportunities
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Student Teaching
In Massachusetts, you are required to complete 75 hours of pre-practicum field study, and a 300-hour practicum (student teaching). Working with students and observing professionals in a secondary school is an excellent opportunity to explore whether teaching is right for you. In the full practicum (student teaching) phase you will spend at least 300 hours practicing all the responsibilities of a secondary school teacher.
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Study Abroad: Become a Global Citizen
Today’s workforce needs professionals who see the big picture. The College of Arts and Sciences will help you to become a student of world cultures and histories as they relate to your studies while making valuable contributions in your explorations. Whether you participate in a faculty-led summer seminar course or spend a semester at an international university, the experience will broaden your horizons and help you compete in the global landscape.
Study Abroad
