This program is available at the following location:

• Corvallis

Options available:

• Advanced Mathematics Teaching
• Biology Teaching
• Chemistry Teaching
• Family and Consumer Sciences Teaching
• Foundational Mathematics Teaching
• Health Teaching
• Integrated Science Teaching
• Language Arts Teaching
• Physics Teaching
• Social Studies Teaching

The Secondary Education major in the College of Education is an undergraduate pathway to secondary teacher licensure. In this program, students demonstrate mastery of subject material and impact on 6-12 student learning. Students learn pedagogical content knowledge and skills and learn to conduct professional activities in an ethical manner. Successful completion of the program qualifies students for an Oregon teaching license. The program is purposefully and specifically designed to attract and prepare diverse teachers who plan to teach in their local school district(s) through an equity-based lens.

Because this is a professional program, there are two levels: Pre-Education and Professional Education. Students will select an option within the major that aligns with content coursework for the teaching endorsement in one of the following secondary subject areas: Social Studies, Language Arts, Advanced or Foundational Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Integrated Science, Family and Consumer Sciences, or Health.

Contact Information

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Recognize how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
• Develop and create the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) they teach and create learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
• Plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
• Practices ongoing reflection and use evidence to continually evaluate their practice, particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others, and adapts their practice/choices accordingly. The teacher candidate will avail professional resources and/or professional development beyond university coursework.

Grade Requirements

Grades below C are not accepted. If students want to include a content-specific course in the state process for waiving the content exam, a minimum grade of C is required in that course.

Students who achieve a C- or below in a required course will need to repeat the course the following year. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA within the major. During the Professional Level, students must pass each course with a C or better in order to progress to the next term.

All required courses must be letter graded (A–F). Courses graded Pass/No Credit (P/N) or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) are not accepted. 

Advanced Placement (AP) credits may be used to satisfy option courses. See an advisor to have credits applied.

Degree Requirements

Students majoring in Secondary Education cannot seek a dual major or double degree in Elementary Education.

Students must complete Pre-Professional requirements, including content-specialty option, before moving to student teaching.

Content-specific courses for subject area teaching are listed in individual option requirements and Content Mastery Sheets are available on the College of Education website or in the Student Services Office in Furman Hall. 

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Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025

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Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond

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Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course

¹

Students must declare a content-specialty option and complete the majority of required option courses in their pre-major, although some option courses may not be taken until their junior year, when they are in the professional major

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Take ED 410 for 9 credits or ED 410 for 6 credits and ED 423 for 3 credits. Additional internship hours may be needed, depending on the student and teaching placement

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Students are encouraged to consider a dual-major in a relevant discipline and courses can double-count with the content-specialty option. Elective credits may increase if courses double-count between Core Ed, degree and/or option requirements

Focus Areas

Students must select one or more focus areas or substitute with a minor or dual major. Other combinations of courses may also be approved by the student's advisor. Focus Areas must be a minimum of 9 credits.

ESOL

Dual Language

Special Education

STEAM

Connecting Schools, Family and Community

Extended Internship: Grow your own and/or apprenticeship model students

Major Code: A041
Pre-Secondary Education Major Code: A040

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Arts

*

Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025

+

Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond

^

Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course