Skip to main content

Secondary Education

Program description

This discipline is in the Division of Education. A separate admissions process must be completed and admission granted before students can enroll in this program.

The secondary education program leads to Minnesota licensure as a teacher in specified liberal arts disciplines.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)-Coursework in secondary education is designed to meet standards of effective practice required for licensure and provide prospective teachers with opportunities to do the following:

• Understand central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of disciplines taught in the middle and secondary school;
• Understand adolescent development theory, individual and group motivation, and diversity among learners;
• Create instructional opportunities adapted to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds and with exceptionalities;
• Use instructional strategies and technologies that reflect personal knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques;
• Encourage development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills;
• Understand and use formative and summative methods of student assessment;
• Collaborate with parents/guardians, families, school colleagues, and the community in an ethical manner.

To obtain a teaching license, an individual must have completed a major, a bachelor's degree, and licensure requirements in the area(s) in which licensure is sought. UMM is approved to recommend teaching licensure in the following fields: chemistry (9-12), communication arts and literature (5-12), general science (5-8), instrumental music (K-12), life science (9-12), mathematics (5-12), physics (9-12), social studies (5-12), Spanish (K-12), visual arts (K-12), and vocal music (K-12).

Coursework required for licensure, in most cases, is not equivalent to a major. Consult an advisor in the discipline to determine major requirements.

Students planning to seek Minnesota teaching licensure at the secondary school level must complete licensure requirements in the discipline(s) of the subject(s) they intend to teach, the secondary teacher education program, and state and federally mandated examinations for new teachers. Students must be in good academic standing, not on probation and not returning from suspension to be admitted. In addition, a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required in licensure area(s) and in education prerequisite courses. A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required overall. The GPA includes all course work. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced. All courses required for teaching licensure in secondary education (discipline, professional education, or other courses) must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Required courses must be taken A-F, unless they are offered S/N only.
Programs and courses effective fall 2024. © 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Privacy Statement