Skip to Article
Samford University Logo
  • Menu IconMenu
    • Home
      • Samford University
    • About
      • Accreditation
      • Faculty & Staff
    • Academics
      • Educational Leadership
      • Human Development & Family Science
      • Teacher Education
    • Community
      • Alumni
      • Character, Ethics & Leadership
    • Events
      • Distinguished Author Series
      • Learning for Life
    • Giving
    • News & Media
      • Media Experts
      • News Archive
      • Research & Innovation in Education
      • Videos
    • Search
  • Search Icon
  • Social Media Icon
    • Twitter Icon Facebook Icon Instagram Icon

Secondary Education Major | Samford University

Our secondary teacher education program offers 6th-12th grade teacher certification in English language arts, general social studies, math and world languages including French, German and Spanish.
Jennifer Martinez in classroom
 
Secondary Education Major
This program prepares candidates to teach at the middle or high school level, 6th-12th grade, by pairing rigorous content classes with solid pedagogy and teaching strategies.

Learn More Take the Next Step

Is This Program for Me?

Called to make a difference, candidates for this program enjoy working with adolescents. Typically, they are good motivators with a healthy sense of humor. Without doubt, secondary education majors are lifelong learners who have a passion for English, Social Studies (History and Geography), Math, and world languages.

What Will I Learn?

The secondary education program equips future teachers to be highly skilled and innovative educators by pairing rigorous content classes with solid teaching strategies. Specifically, understanding is gained in the following areas.
  • Adolescent Development
  • Instructional Planning and Assessment
  • Teaching Methods and Materials
  • Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners
  • Integrating Technology in the Classroom

Skills are applied as future teachers manage classroom instruction and student behavior and learn to effectively communicate with students and parents during field and clinical experiences in Grade 6-12 school settings.

Play the video
 
Photo of Eulaya Erb
 
“Secondary is very flexible. They work with us on scheduling every year, making sure we can get in our content courses as well as our education courses.”

—Eulaya Erb, Class of ‘21

What Makes Us Different?

Student Assessment

Double Major

Secondary Education students have the unique opportunity to graduate in four years with a teacher certification and a bachelor's degree in the following content areas:

  • English Language Arts Certification and B.A. in English
  • General Social Studies Certification and B.A. in History
  • Math Certification and B.S. in Mathematics
  • World Languages Certification and B.A. in French, German or Spanish

Clinical Observations

Starting as early as freshman year, candidates begin their clinical observations in schools, many times also observing a coach or sponsor of an extracurricular activity of interest.

Accredited
by CAEP
100%
employed or in graduate studies within three months of graduation (May 2021)
100%
pass rate on national undergraduate Praxis II licensure test and edTPA (2021)
Affiliated
with IMSLEC

Career Preparation

This program gets students off campus and in real 6-12 classroom settings begining as early as their freshman year. Class by class, throughout the program, clinical observations in both middle and high schools allow students to experience meaningful and purposeful planning, co-teaching and teaching responsibilities.
Global Citizens

Career Opportunities

Our program graduates have gone on to teach, coach and sponsor student activities. Many pursue graduate school, in either teaching or their specific content area. Various jobs include teaching/coaching in public and private schools, mission work, school administration (principals, superintendents, athletic directors, school counseling) and teaching in higher education (i.e. professorship roles).

Double majors can also use their content degrees for jobs outside of education. In recent years, we’ve had English education majors become editors/writers for online blogs and websites, history education majors go on to work in museums and math education majors to pursue graduate school in the biomedical field.

Internships & Fellowships

The student-teaching/internship semester is the final experience in teacher education. The internship experience includes 15 weeks of student teaching and may be taken in the final semester (fall or spring). It is here when students truly get a taste of the daily life of an educator. Student placements may be in public, private, middle or high schools. With advanced notice, and faculty approval, students can also request to do internships abroad/out of the immediate Samford area.

The Secondary Education program provides opportunities for students to explore teaching abroad through organizations such as the Network of International Christian Schools, Oasis International Schools, and the Consortium for Global Education.

Student and Counselor
Apply
Library in Fall
Visit
smiling female student Request More Info
Request More Info
Students at Samford
Explore the Classes
Students Performing Calculations
Estimate Your Cost
female student on steps
Contact a Counselor
    Administration
    Academic Affairs
    Advancement & Marketing
    Enrollment Management
    Finance, Business Affairs & Strategy
    Office of the President
    Student Affairs
    Connect with Us
    Digital Publications
    E-Newsletters
    News Feeds
    Social Media
    YouTube
    Employees
    Accounting
    Benefits
    Employment
    Faculty Resources
    Holidays
    Human Resources
    Insurance
    Manager Resources
    Payroll
    Purchasing
    Retirement
    Risk Management
    Training
    Quick Links
    Bookstore
    Bulldog Bucks
    Caf Menu
    Campus Map
    Canvas Login
    Diversity & Intercultural Initiatives
    Fidelitas Strategic Plan
    Form Central
    Library
    Nondiscrimination Statement
    Portal Login
    Registrar
    Title IX Reporting
    Video Livestream
    Services
    Accessibility & Accommodations
    Career Development
    Counseling
    Event Planning
    Facilities
    Student Financial Services
    Health Services
    Post Office
    Printing
    Public Safety
    Technology Services
    Transportation
     
    Samford University,
    800 Lakeshore Drive,
    Birmingham, AL 35229
          
    205-726-2011

    Cookie Preferences | Privacy Policy | Software Plugins

    Microsoft Excel®

    You will need Microsoft Excel® or compatible software like Open Office to read XLS, XLT, XLSX or XLTX files.

    Microsoft Power Point®

    You will need Microsoft Power Point® or compatible software like Open Office to read POT, POTX, PPS, PPSX, PPT or PPTX files.

    Microsoft Word®

    You will need Microsoft Word® or compatible software like Open Office to read DOC, DOT, DOCX or DOTX files.

    Adobe Portable Document Format

    You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader® or compatible software like SumatraPDF to read PDF files.

    We use cookies to improve our site, personalize content and serve more relevant advertising on other platforms. View our privacy policy.  
    AcceptPreferences

    Privacy Preferences [policy]
    Accept Required Cookies
    Analytics cookies do not personally identify you and cannot be turned off. They provide vital information for troubleshooting problems and improving the visitor experience. Use your browser's incognito or private browsing mode to avoid participating.
    Select Optional Cookies
    to see more relevant ads on third-party sites when using this device.
    to see more relevant content on this site when using this device.

    SaveClose