Secondary Major in Education
A secondary major in Education at Iowa State University prepares candidates to teach at the middle school and high school levels. K-12/Secondary Educator Preparation Programs eligible to pursue the secondary major in Education are:
- English Education
- History/Social Sciences Education - History
- History/Social Sciences Education - Political Science
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education – Biology
- Science Education – Chemistry
- Science Education – Earth Science
- Science Education – Physics
- World Languages and Cultures Education – French
- World Languages and Cultures Education – German
- World Languages and Cultures Education – Spanish
Additional Endorsements and Minors
Candidates pursuing the secondary major in Education have the opportunity to pursue additional endorsements and minors:
Specific program requirements can be found within each department that houses the endorsement. Information on K-12 Coaching, K-12 English as a Second Language, 5-12 Reading, and K-12 Speech and Theatre can be found at: https://iastate.app.box.com/s/m4tr3ogr9ouwmiubz5dhv9catryr2jqf.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
The Learner and Learning
Standard #1: Learner Development.
Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Standard #2: Learning Differences.
Use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Standard #3: Learning Environments.
Work 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
Standard #4: Content Knowledge.
Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Standard #5: Application of Content.
Understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Instructional Practices
Standard #6: Assessment.
Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Standard #7: Planning for Instruction.
Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard #8: Instructional Strategies.
Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Standard #8A: Technology.
Integrate current and emerging technology in instruction to encourage student creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy. Teachers practice and advocate safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
Professional Responsibility
Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice.
Engage in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration.
Seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Curriculum in Secondary Major in Education
Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements
In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework.
Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.
In order to be eligible to student teaching (EDUC 4170), candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and content specific coursework.
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and be considered an educator preparation program completer.
The Professional Core Requirement for Educator Preparation
Educator Preparation Program candidates must complete certain studies related directly to the profession of teaching. Candidates must meet the minimum grades for content and pedagogy coursework as outlined in the admission and continuance decision point policies. All degree requirements must also be met. These can be found here: http://www.catalog.iastate.edu/
- As outlined in Decision Point policies, candidates must have a minimum grade requirement of C for all Education (EDUC), Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), Special Education (SPED) courses, and all other program-specific pedagogy coursework required for licensure.
- Candidates must earn a minimum grade of C- for courses in the department of the major specifically required for teacher licensure (content coursework).
- History/Social Sciences Educator Preparation candidates must earn a minimum grade requirement of a B- for courses in the department of the major specifically required for teacher licensure (content coursework).
- See program coordinator or advisors for more information.
NOTE: Specific majors will provide approved options to meet these requirements.
For Educator Preparation general education requirements, please visit the School of Education website: https://education.iastate.edu/current-students/educator-preparation-program/resources/curriculum-requirements/.
All Educator Preparation Program candidates must complete the professional core coursework (information found under each program) and required pedagogy and field experience coursework for their program. In addition, all prospective teachers are required to meet general education requirements as a part of their preparation. They must complete studies in the following general education groups. General education courses may be found in many departments. Credits listed are minimum requirements. Specific departments and/or colleges may require specific coursework to meet these requirements or additional credits. Credits used to satisfy these general education requirements typically satisfy department and college general education requirements.
Educator Preparation General Education Requirements
| 6 |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| 6 |
| Must include ENGL 1500 and 2500 or an equivalent | 9 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 |
| 3 |
| |
| |
NOTE: Specific majors will provide approved options to meet these requirements.
Secondary major in Education Requirements for English Education Candidates
Educator Preparation Orientation Course Requirement:
| EDUC 2190 | Orientation to Teacher Education: English, FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language Majors | 1 |
Educator Preparation Field Experiences:
| EDUC 2800L | Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Secondary Education | 0.5 |
| EDUC 3800A | Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Core Experience | 1-2 |
| EDUC 4800E | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: English | 1-2 |
| EDUC 4170E | Student Teaching: English and Literature * | 1-8 |
| EDUC 4170E | Student Teaching: English and Literature * | 1-8 |
Educator Preparation Professional Core Coursework:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 3950 | Teaching Disciplinary Literacy * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
Educator Preparation Pedagogy/Methods Coursework:
| ENGL 3960 | Teaching the Reading of Young Adult Literature * | 3 |
| ENGL 3970 | Practice and Theory of Teaching Writing in the Secondary Schools * | 3 |
| ENGL 4940 | Practice and Theory of Teaching Literature in the Secondary Schools * | 3 |
| EDUC 4260 | Principles of Secondary Education * | 3 |
Please check departmental information in regards to specific content coursework requirements.
*Must receive a C or better.
Secondary major in Education Requirements for History/Social Sciences Education Candidates
Educator Preparation Orientation Course Requirement:
| EDUC 2190 | Orientation to Teacher Education: English, FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language Majors | 1 |
Educator Preparation Field Experiences:
| EDUC 2800L | Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Secondary Education | 0.5 |
| EDUC 3800A | Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Core Experience | 1-2 |
| EDUC 4800A | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: History/Social Sciences | 2 |
| * | 1-8 |
| * | 1-8 |
Educator Preparation Professional Core Coursework:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 3950 | Teaching Disciplinary Literacy * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
Educator Preparation Pedagogy/Methods Coursework:
| HIST 4980 | Methods of Teaching History/Social Sciences * | 3 |
| EDUC 4260 | Principles of Secondary Education * | 3 |
Please check departmental information in regards to specific content coursework requirements.
*Must receive a C or better.
Secondary major in Education Requirements for Mathematics Education Candidates
Educator Preparation Orientation Course Requirement:
| EDUC 2190 | Orientation to Teacher Education: English, FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language Majors | 1 |
Educator Preparation Field Experiences:
| EDUC 2800L | Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Secondary Education | 0.5 |
| EDUC 3800A | Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Core Experience | 1-2 |
| EDUC 4800C | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Mathematics | 0.5-2 |
| EDUC 4170C | Student Teaching: Mathematics * | 1-8 |
| EDUC 4170C | Student Teaching: Mathematics * | 1-8 |
Educator Preparation Professional Core Coursework:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 3950 | Teaching Disciplinary Literacy * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
*Must receive a C or better.
Educator Preparation Pedagogy/Methods Coursework:
| MATH 4970 | Teaching Secondary School Mathematics * | 3 |
| MATH 3970 | Teaching Secondary Mathematics Using University Mathematics * | 3 |
Please check departmental information in regards to specific content coursework requirements.
*Must receive a C or better.
Secondary major in Education Requirements for Science Education Candidates (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)
Educator Preparation Orientation Course Requirement:
| EDUC 2190 | Orientation to Teacher Education: English, FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language Majors | 1 |
Educator Preparation Field Experiences:
| EDUC 2800L | Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Secondary Education | 0.5 |
| EDUC 4800D | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Biological Sciences | 2 |
| | 2 |
| * | 1-8 |
| * | 1-8 |
Educator Preparation Professional Core Coursework:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 3950 | Teaching Disciplinary Literacy * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
Educator Preparation Pedagogy/Methods Coursework:
Please check departmental information in regards to specific content coursework requirements.
*Must receive a C or better.
Secondary major in Education Requirements for World Languages and Cultures Education Candidates (French, German, Spanish)
Educator Preparation Orientation Course Requirement:
| EDUC 2190 | Orientation to Teacher Education: English, FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language Majors | 1 |
Educator Preparation Field Experiences:
| EDUC 2800L | Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Secondary Education | 0.5 |
| EDUC 3800A | Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Core Experience | 1-2 |
| EDUC 4800G | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: World Languages and Cultures | 1-2 |
| EDUC 4170G | Student Teaching: World Language * | 1-8 |
| EDUC 4170G | Student Teaching: World Language * | 1-8 |
Educator Preparation Professional Core Coursework:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 3950 | Teaching Disciplinary Literacy * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
*Must receive a C or better.
Educator Preparation Pedagogy/Methods Coursework:
| EDUC 4870 | Methods in Secondary School World Language Instruction * | 3 |
| or ENGL 3180 | Introduction to ESL methods and materials |
| EDUC 4260 | Principles of Secondary Education * | 3 |
Please check departmental information in regards to specific content coursework requirements.
