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Secondary Education ,Certificate

Secondary Education, Certificate

Academic programs / Undergraduate minors and certificates / Secondary Education

Educator, High School, Middle School, School, Teach, children, classroom

Middle and high school teachers help inspire curiosity, transform lives and strengthen communities. You'll be prepared to earn teacher certification after graduation and to teach learners in grades 6-12.
Description ▲

The secondary education certificate program prepares you to teach students enrolled in grades 6-12. While you develop a strong content background through your major coursework, the secondary education certificate program focuses on gaining the requisite knowledge and abilities for successfully teaching middle or high school students. To integrate teacher preparation with the academic specialization, Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation collaborates and communicates with academic departments throughout the university. A series of internships followed by a semester-long, full-time student teaching experience are required components of this program.

If you complete this program, you are issued an institutional recommendation for a secondary certification in Arizona. If you desire to teach in a public school, you must also pass the Arizona Educator Professional Knowledge exam (either the National Evaluation Series or the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments) to be certified to teach in the state of Arizona.

The secondary education undergraduate certificate is also available if you've earned a bachelor's degree; this is considered a nondegree graduate pathway.

Format option
This program is also offered via ASU Sync. Through ASU Sync, you attend live classes remotely via Zoom. Classes are designed to foster active collaboration and discussion in real time with faculty and peers. As an ASU Sync student, you must reside in Arizona throughout the duration of the program. If you have F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program. Students with F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via Sync.

If you're seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs, you should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

At a glance ▲

Curriculum ▲
View curriculum archives
Requirement Minimum Grade Credit Hours

This certificate requires 32 credit hours.
Required Courses
SPE 222 Orientation to Education of Exceptional Children (CIVI)
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
TEL 310 Instructional Design and Planning: Instructional Thought and Action
4 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 4
TEL 317 Instructional Thought and Action: Learning Environment and Management
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
TEL 318 Instructional Thought and Action: Assessment for Learning
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
TEL 332 Disciplinary Literacy Methods
4 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 4
TEL 488 Student Teaching
12 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 12
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3

Students will meet with an academic advisor to determine the best methods course for their subject area.
Notes
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

BLE 220 Foundations of Structured English Immersion (three credit hours) is strongly encouraged for students seeking full certification from the Arizona Department of Education. This course meets the Structured English Immersion (SEI) requirement.

Enrollment requirements ▲

Students interested in pursuing the secondary education certificate should be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student. Students who are enrolled in a secondary education degree program are not eligible to add the secondary education certificate. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. This program is also available to students who have already completed a bachelor's degree and want to be certified to teach. Students interested in this option apply to ASU as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.

Students interested in this program should either major in or have a degree from one of the following content knowledge areas:

  • biology
  • business
  • chemistry
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • earth and space science
  • economics
  • English
  • French
  • general science
  • geography
  • German
  • history
  • mathematics
  • physics
  • political science
  • Spanish
  • theatre

Students demonstrate their knowledge by having a minimum of 24 credit hours in coursework for the major, or by having a passing score on the appropriate teacher certification exam (NES or AEPA) and enrollment in an eligible major where a minimum of 24 credit hours of subject area knowledge will be accrued.

Students are required to have a valid Arizona DPS Identity Verified Print fingerprint clearance card.

A GPA of 2.00 is required for progression to the final semester of student teaching. Students should contact the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation for more information.
Career opportunities▲

The secondary education certificate prepares students for the high-demand, secure field of education.

Graduates who have combined the certificate in secondary education with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often pursue employment as middle school teachers, high school teachers or educators at community-serving organizations.
Professional licensure▲

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.

Contact information▲

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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