Secondary Education Programs

(found programs from 1443 schools)

go to school listings

Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the Secondary Education programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to Secondary Education Careers

The middle and high school years are a time of tremendous intellectual and emotional growth. At this stage, students are ready for the more specialized subject area instruction that secondary teachers provide.

Secondary Education Job Description

Secondary teachers deliver in-depth instruction to students in grades seven to twelve. They typically specialize in a subject area such as math, English, social studies or science. Secondary teachers are responsible for developing and delivering lesson plans, evaluating student achievement, maintaining classroom discipline and communicating student progress to parents and administrators. In addition, they may supervise extracurricular activities, coordinate field trips, and attend staff meetings and in-service training.

For most secondary teachers the schedule is a standard 10 months with two months of summer break. A few schools, though, are open year-round with shorter breaks interspersed throughout the year.

Secondary Education Requirements

No matter where you live, you will need a license or state certification to be a secondary teacher in a public school. A license may not be required to teach in a private secondary school. Specific licensing and certification requirements vary from state to state, but basic requirements include a bachelor's degree from an approved teacher education program, a passing grade on a competency test, and a student teaching internship. For those with a bachelor's degree in a field other than education, states offer alternative means of licensing. After you attain initial teacher certification, expect to do regular professional development to maintain an active license.

Secondary Education Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts secondary teacher employment will grow at about the average for all occupations. Job prospects will vary depending on geographic location and specialty area. A study by the American Association for Employment in Education reports that demand will be high for math, science and bilingual education teachers, while there is expected to be a surplus of social studies, health, and physical education teachers. Head to the South and the West, where student enrollment is growing, for the most job opportunities.

According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for teachers in 2008 was between $47,000 to $51, 000. The lowest 10 percent of teachers earned between $31,000 and $34,000 while the highest 10 percent earned between $75,000 and $80,000.

Secondary teachers can earn additional income by supervising or coaching extracurricular activities, earning a master's degree or advanced certification, or becoming an administrator. Expect a smaller salary if you teach in a private school.

Secondary Education Trends

The National Education Association reports that a major trend in middle and high schools across the nation is the move to block scheduling. Instead of eight to ten short subject periods, students are scheduled in three to four longer blocks (as much as 90 minutes) of instruction. Teachers working with a block schedule will need to adjust their lesson plans and instruction accordingly.

Another noteworthy trend is the continuing decline in student to teacher ratios over the last 40 years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics the number of students per teacher averaged 15.5 for public schools in 2007.

Secondary Education Degrees Online

Are you interested in earning an online degree in secondary education? Be prepared to choose a specialty.

Teachers at the secondary level specialize in everything from math and English to special education and business. Thus, colleges and universities have developed a wide range of online secondary education programs in various specialties to meet the needs of both new and aspiring secondary teachers. Some of these programs can be completed in as little as 18 months. Others take longer.

While the concentration areas may vary, there are several common components among online secondary education programs. First, courses are delivered via the Internet and supplemented with other Web-based programs such as email, video chats and virtual classrooms. Second, some coursework, such as student assessment and secondary teaching methodology, is common to all specialty areas.

How can you tell if a secondary education online program is high quality? Look for programs accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education or affiliated with a professional organization serving your specialty area.

Online Secondary Education Degrees to Consider:

Jones International University in Centennial, Colorado, offers online secondary education programs in a variety of specialties, including instructional technology, English as a Second Language and educational leadership. These programs are suitable for current and aspiring teachers.

Walden University in Minneapolis also offers online secondary education programs for both current and aspiring teachers. Available concentration areas include adolescent literacy and technology, special education and teacher leadership. There is even a specialization just for educators in the middle (fifth through eighth) grades.

Kaplan University offers an online Master of Arts in teaching for aspiring fifth through twelfth-grade teachers that leads to initial certification. There is also a Master of Science in education for current secondary teachers. Other specializations are available in secondary math, science, literacy and instructional technology.


Useful Resources


Featured Online Programs:


Capella University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)

EdD - Educational Leadership and Management
EdD - Reading and Literacy
EdS - Leadership in Education Administration
MS - Child and Adolescent Development
MS - Curriculum and Instruction
MS - Evaluation Research and Measurement
MS - K-12 Studies in Education
MS - Reading and Literacy
MS - School Counseling
MS - Sport Psychology
PhD - Curriculum and Instruction
PhD - K-12 Studies in Education
PhD - Leadership in Educational Administration
PhD - Special Education Leadership

Concordia University

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Adolescent LiteracyM.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: ESOL (K-Adult)

Grand Canyon University

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.S. in Elementary Education / Special Education (Dual Major)B.S. in Secondary Education: Business EducationB.S. in Secondary Education: EnglishB.S. in Secondary Education: MathB.S. in Secondary Education: Social StudiesM.A. in Teaching - Professional Learning Communities (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)M.Ed. in Secondary Education (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)M.Ed. in Secondary Education (Leads to initial teacher licensure)M.Ed. in Special Education: Certified Special Educators (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)M.Ed. in Special Education: Cross-Categorical (Leads to initial teacher licensure)

Kaplan University

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)MSE in Instructional Technology (K-12)

Liberty University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
M.A. - Teaching - Secondary EducationM.Ed. - School CounselingM.Ed. Administration and SupervisionM.Ed. Program Specialist - MathM.Ed. Program Specialist - ReadingM.Ed. Teaching and Learning - Special Education

Nova Southeastern University

Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - K-12 Technology Integration

University of Cincinnati

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):

MEd - Curriculum & Instruction

University of Phoenix

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
Master of Arts in Education / Teacher Education for Secondary Licensure

Walden University

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D) - Administrator Leadership for Teaching and LearningEducation Specialist (Ed.S.) in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and LearningMaster of Science (M.S.) in Education - Adolescent Literacy and Technology (Grades 6-12)Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K-12)Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K-12)Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Literacy and Learning in the Content AreasMaster of Science (M.S.) in Education - Professional Development (Grades PreK-12)Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Special Education (non-licensure) (Grades K-12)Master of Science (M.S.) in Education - Teacher Leadership (Grades K-12)Ph.D. in Education - KAM-based K-12 Educational LeadershipPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Special EducationSpecial Education Endorsement Program in Emotional/Behavioral DisordersSpecial Education Endorsement Program in Learning DisabilitiesSpecial Education Endorsement Program with M.S. in Education - Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12)Special Education Endorsement Program with M.S. in Education - Learning Disabilities (K-12)Teacher Preparation Program with a Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education - Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12)

Western Governors University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited, TEAC accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.A. Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)B.A. Science (5-12 Biological Science)B.A. Science (5-12 Chemistry)B.A. Science (5-12 Geosciences)B.A. Science (5-12 Physics)B.A. Science (5-9)B.A. Special EducationEndorsement Prep. Program ELL (PK-12)M.A. English Language Learning (PK-12)M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Biological Science)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Chemistry)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Geosciences)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Physics)M.A. Science Education (5-9)M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)M.A. Teaching - Science (5-9 or 5-12)M.A. Teaching - Social Science (5-12)M.S. Special Education (K-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Math (5-9 or 5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Science (5-9 or 5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program (K-8)

WGU Indiana

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.A. Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)B.A. Science (5-12 Biological Science)B.A. Science (5-12 Chemistry)B.A. Science (5-12 Geosciences)B.A. Science (5-12 Physics)B.A. Science (5-9)B.A. Special Education (K-12)Endorsement Prep. Program ELL (PK-12)M.A. English Language Learning (K-12)M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Biological Science)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Chemistry)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Geosciences)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Physics)M.A. Science Education (5-9)M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)M.A. Teaching - Science (5-12)M.A. Teaching - Social Science (5-12)M.S. Special Education (K-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Math (5-9 or 5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Science (5-9 or 5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program (K-8)

WGU Washington

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
B.A. Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)B.A. Science (5-12 Biological Science)B.A. Science (5-12 Chemistry)B.A. Science (5-12 Geosciences)B.A. Science (5-12 Physics)B.A. Science (5-9)B.A. Special EducationEndorsement Prep. Program in ELL (PK-12)M.A. English Language Learning (PK-12)M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Biological Science)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Chemistry)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Geosciences)M.A. Science Education (5-12 Physics)M.A. Science Education (5-9)M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)M.A. Teaching - Science (5-9 or 5-12)M.A. Teaching - Social Science (5-12)M.S. Special Education (K-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Math (5-9 or 5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Science (5-9 or 5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program - Social Science (5-12)Post-Bacc Teacher Prep Program (K-8)



Alabama



Alaska



Arizona



Arkansas



California



Colorado



Connecticut



Delaware



District Of Columbia



Florida



Georgia



Hawaii



Idaho



Illinois



Indiana



Iowa



Kansas



Kentucky



Louisiana



Maine



Maryland



Massachusetts



Michigan



Minnesota



Mississippi



Missouri



Montana



Nebraska



Nevada



New Hampshire



New Jersey



New Mexico



New York



North Carolina



North Dakota



Ohio



Oklahoma



Oregon



Pennsylvania



Puerto Rico



Rhode Island



South Carolina



South Dakota



Tennessee



Texas



Utah



Vermont



Virginia



Washington



West Virginia



Wisconsin



Wyoming




Are we missing any schools or programs? If so, please let us know! We appreciate your help in making this the best directory of Education Degree Programs on the web. You can send us an email at schools@educationdegree.com.