Majoring in Secondary Education at Kutztown provides students with the opportunity to experience specialized courses through our distinguished College of Education. Our philosophy within this college is to provide undergraduates with the complete set of skills necessary to prepare for a successful teaching position in the future. The nature of learning, mastering cooperation, use of teamwork-based practices, and an appreciation of the diversity within our world combine through specific studies to mold future educators.
Graduates of Kutztown's Secondary Education program are certified to teach in grades seven through 12 in a selected area of specialization. Modern language certification is for kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Secondary Education undergraduate curriculum consists of four categories of coursework, and 40 hours of Education Exploration.
General Education: 60 semester hours
The student will choose an area of academic specialization and certification. In choosing specialization courses, the student will be advised by an academic advisor in that department and a professional advisor from the Department of Secondary Education. Sufficient credits to satisfy this category vary with each specialization. Courses chosen to fill academic specialization requirements may satisfy general education requirements as well.
The nature of the Secondary Education-Biology track at KU focuses on investigations, laboratory, and field studies. Kutztown's beautiful campus and surrounding areas will be home to some of these in-depth and diverse observations that Secondary Education Biology majors will take part of in order to study this natural science. Courses such as Biology and Applied Environmental Microbiology are explored.
Specific science courses must be taken to ensure that Secondary Education-Chemistry majors are fully prepared to teach this multifaceted natural science. These courses include Inorganic and Organic chemistry, Calculus, Analytical Chemistry, Physics.
Earth and Space Science
Classes such as Astronomy, Meteorology and Historical Geology are taken to ensure that Earth and Space Science teachers are well-versed in their subject matter and ready to pass this knowledge on to their students at a professional level.
The Secondary Education-English program requires students to examine thoroughly areas of language and composition in preparation to teach this vital subject area. Classes include experience in British, American and world literature, linguistics and teaching writing. Secondary Education/English students have two advisors - one in the Education Department and another advisor in the English Department - to guide students through the requirements of both programs.
Biology, Zoology, and Physical Geology are part of a list of required courses that Secondary Education majors concentrating in General Science will take. These students will experience a wide variety of courses in scientific areas to improve their understanding of a specific subject matter.
A strengthened knowledge in the German language will be acquired through this Secondary Education program. In addition to the language courses, students will have the opportunity to explore German background in preparation for teaching through courses like German Culture and Civilization.
Computer science, geometry, probability and calculus courses, among many others, will be explored by those choosing this program. Mathematics courses are both theory and application-based in order to provide students with a rich understanding of this intricate subject.
In order to receive a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Physics, students partake in a range of courses in physics with strong supporting courses in mathematics. Because faculty-led research is provided at a great level, Physics students will receive exceptional preparation for becoming a physics teacher.
Physics & Mathematics (Dual-Certification)
As a dual-certification program, Physics & Mathematics majors experience courses in both areas to prepare them for teaching. These include classes such as Modern Physics I, Calculus II, and Abstract Algebra I.
The Social Studies consist of courses in History, Geography, Civics and Government, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics and Psychology. Graduates will be certified to teach all of these subjects in grades 7-12.
Choosing to specialize in Spanish through our Secondary Education program provides students a quality grasp of this language through required courses ranging from Spanish Composition to Advanced Syntax & Stylistics. Study abroad experiences can also be explored in preparation for teaching Spanish.
Students will take 42-45 semester hours in education instruction in the Secondary Education curriculum.
The Education Curriculum includes courses like Perspectives on American Education, Effective Instructional Strategies and Instructional Technology in Education.
Additionally, this area includes clinical field experience (student teaching) and practicum. Field experiences increase in complexity and intensity as the student moves from pre-candidacy to candidacy. Field hours are embedded in courses to allow for guided exploration, reflection and discussion. The Secondary Education model utilizes school partnerships so that teaching candidates have an opportunity to work in diverse school settings and grades. Candidates are enrolled full-time in the clinical experience and practicum (i.e. student teaching). With the supervision of teachers in the school districts and KU faculty, candidates have two clinical experience and practicum assignments, each lasting eight weeks.
Modern language teacher candidates will be certified for K-12 and will receive additional training in learning to teach a modern language to early level language learners. Clinical field experience and practicum opportunities in Puerto Rico are also available.
Students working toward a secondary education certificate must complete at least 40 hours of education exploration. This needs to be completed upon reaching 48 credits. At least 10 hours of education exploration must take place in diverse settings. Transfer students should meet with their Secondary Education advisor to establish a time line for completion of the hours.
This program is taught by the Department of Secondary Education.
- Applied Digital Arts
- Art Education
- Art History
- Audio Engineering
- Business Administration
- Coaching and Athletic Administration
- Communication Design
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Digital Communication and New Media
- Elementary Education
- Electronic Media
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Environmental Science
- German Studies
- Information Technology
- International Studies
- Leisure and Sport Studies
- Library Science
- Marine Science
- Music: Commercial Music
- Music Education
- Multicultural Studies
- Political Science
- Pre-Med & Health Careers
- Professional Writing
- Public Administration
- Public Relations
- Secondary Education
- Social Work
- Software Development
- Spanish for Modern Business
- Special Education
- Studio Art
- Supply Chain Management and Logistics
- Women's Studies
Transfer Education Admission Requirement
For transfers with 48 or More Credits
Teaching is a profession that requires selective admission procedures and rigorous course of study. Transfers with less than 48 credits must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA from all institutions previously attended. Transfers with 48 or more credits must be admitted into teacher candidacy in order to be admitted into the education major.