Secondary Education
Program Description
The Teaching and Learning Program at
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Environmental Science
- History
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Sciences
- Visual Arts
The secondary education program enables qualified students to obtain an
Distinctive DePaul Features
- Becoming a teacher is viewed as a developmental process continuing at least through the first year of teaching
- Multiculturalism is infused throughout the curriculum.
- Clinical/field experiences are an integral part of the curriculum
- Students are exposes to a variety of educational theories.
- The program includes a research component as a basis for further professional development
Content Areas and Endorsements
Content Areas
Secondary Education students must complete 48 quarter hours (32 semester hours) of coursework in a content (subject) area. Specific course requirements must be met in each content area (biology, chemistry, English, environmental science, history, mathematics, social sciences, physics, or visual arts). It is strongly encouraged that applicants meet with an advisor upon admission to review undergraduate transcripts and determine what courses in the content area must be taken.Completion of content-area requirements are not a prerequisite for admission. However coursework must be complete before student teaching. Click here for more information about content area requirements.
Who is my Content Area Advisor?
Graduate Level Content Area Coursess
Graduate Level Content Area Courses (must be taken before student teaching) Three courses to be determined by you and your advisor.
Endorsements
An endorsement is a subject that graduates are qualified to teach full-time. Graduates must have at least one endorsement to teach grades 9-12 or in departmentalized school settings, grades 5-8. There are two main levels of endorsement: middle school (grades 5-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Endorsement requirements differ by subject and grade level.
Secondary education majors may receive a high school endorsement in their content area. Students may add the middle school course to receive a middle school endorsement.
Degree Requirements
- Masters of Education (M.Ed.)-requires 12 courses plus student teaching (56 quarter hours)
- Masters of Arts (M.A)- .requires 13 courses (including a thesis) plus student teaching (60 quarter hours)
For more detailed degree requirements click here
State Certification Tests
Students must take and pass the following three State mandated tests in order to be certified:
- Basic Skills Test*
- Content Area Test
- Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT)
Students should take this test any time prior to applying or within 16 quarter hours after admission. The tests are offered at various sites around the metropolitan area. The tests are offered six times per year: September, December, February, March, June, and July. The DePaul School of Education offeres study guides and addtitional preparation assistance.Questions about testing can be directed to the Illinois State Board of Education
Field Experience and Student Teaching
Field Experience
Teacher certification programs require a range of field experience hours (100-200 hours depending on the program) These practical experiences offer a gradual introduction to a teacher's role and help students see connections between theory and practice. In addition students may initiate the process of networking to develop job opportunities.
All field experience hours are attached to specific education courses. Since field experiences are a part of course requirements they must be completed during the 11 weeks of the quarter. Assignments that provide the basis for the field experience will be provided by the course instructor.Field experience hours must be completed in a classroom setting during the school day and be supervised by a certified teacher. Field experience requirements apply to all students including those who are working.
Field experiences must be completed in a least 3 different schools and the majority must be completed in a public school setting. Students must have documented experiences throughout the entire grade range of the expected certificate (Early Childhood: Birth-3rd grade; Elementary: K-8th grade; Secondary: 6-12th grade; Dual Certification: K-12th grade). Students must complete 10-15 hours with exceptional children and in classrooms where at least 20% of the class is of a culture, language, or racial/ethnic group that is different from their own.
For more detailed information about field experiences click here.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culminating event of the certification program. Students will cooperate with an established educator. Responsibilities begin with interactive duties such as small group instruction and will progress to co-teaching lessons, teaching on their own with direct supervision, and finally being in charge of the class. This full-time, intensive experience varies in length depending on the program:
- 16 weeks Dual Certification
- 12 weeks Early Childhood
- 10 weeks Elementary
- 10 weeks Secondary
For more information on student teaching click here.
Graduate Admission Requirements
back to top
Learn More About
The Special Education for Teacher's program offers special education certification (LBS1) for practicing teachers and includes a unique set of summer practicums.
FYI