Education - Secondary Licensure

Is a Secondary Education Major For Me?

The need for well-qualified teachers in today’s school systems is increasing, and will continue to increase as a generation of teachers retires from the work force. Southwestern College offers adult learners who want to become teachers the opportunity to complete an education degree or a licensure preparation program in a format that allows a balanced approach to work, family, and educational pursuits.

Southwestern College offers those learners seeking to teach in Kansas at the secondary level (6-12th grade) the opportunity to pursue licensure in the following content areas: Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, History, Math, Mid-level Math, and Physics. P-12 Licensure can be obtained for Music and Physical Education. To enter the program and obtain licensure (Praxis II exams are required for licensure), applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in the field of study or have a degree as well as equivalent course work necessary for a teaching license. This is an Alternative Licensure program.

Military personnel may also want to check out the Troops to Teachers website, www.mpttt.org, which is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools.

Southwestern College is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Kansas State Department of Education.

Please see an advisor for further details and information.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Program Outcomes

The Southwestern College teacher education program is a student-centered learning community dedicated to optimal intellectual growth, preparation for leadership in the field of education, personal development, ethical values, and lifelong service in a world beyond cultural boundaries. The goals of teacher education program are in the Conceptual Framework. This states that the professional educator will:

  • possess wisdom of practice;
  • have the ability to facilitate student learning;
  • have the ability to interact effectively;
  • have the ability to reflect.
  1. The learner demonstrates that s/he has gained breadth and depth of key concepts and generally accepted theories and practices that support the Education Conceptual Framework.
  2. The learner can demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking to the completion of projects and case studies associated with student learning.
  3. The learner can demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of ethical reasoning in the field of education.
  4. The learner can demonstrate an understanding of how to effectively lead people in the field of education.
  5. The learner can demonstrate the ability to produce documents which showcase an understanding of the use of technological tools.
  6. The learner can demonstrate the use of effective written communication skills.
  7. The learner can demonstrate competencies applicable to teacher education requirements.

Required and Core Courses

General Education Requirements

COMMUNICATIONS: English I, English II, and Speech
(minimum combined GPA of 2.5)
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Gen. & Dev. Psych.
(minimum of grade of C)

Pre-Professional Education Coursework

EDUC 212 Education Entrance Seminar (1 credit hour)
EDUC 215 Foundations of Education
EDUC 216 Diversity Field Experience (1 credit hour)
HRD 210 Building Academic Success

Professional Teacher Courses

Admission to Teacher Education required prior to enrolling in the following classes
EDUC 322 Educational Psychology
EDUC 323 Introduction to Exceptionalities
EDUC 440 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit hour)

Required Courses for Secondary Teachers

EDUC 220 Educational Technology
EDUC 344 Content Area Literacy
EDUC 352 Principles of Effective Secondary Instruction
EDUC 438 Content Area Methods
EDUC 439 Secondary Methods
EDUC 447 Student Teaching/Secondary School (12 credit hours)
EDUC 459 Restricted Licensure Practicum-required for learners on a restricted license (1 credit hour)

All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.

The KSDE approved and NCATE accredited Teacher Education Program offered by Southwestern College provides study and practice of the essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions for obtaining a teaching license. In addition to successfully completing the program of study, each student is required to take and pass one or more KSDE identified licensure exam(s) at or above the level of performance specified by KSDE. With successful completion of the teacher education program of study as well as passing the required licensure exam(s), Southwestern College will be able to recommend the successful student for a specific teaching license or endorsement.

If not applying to teach in the state of Kansas, please check with your state’s department of education for specific licensure testing requirements.

Course Descriptions

EDUC 210 Education Entrance Seminar

An introductory and exploratory course for those considering education as a career. The course is designed to assist each prospective teacher in gaining a valid and comprehensive knowledge of what is involved in a teaching career. Emphasis is placed upon inquiry and personal involvement in planning an effective and successful career in education. 1 credit hour

EDUC 215 Foundations of Education

The course explores the theories and applications of educational philosophies for students’ use in both the classroom and their professional lives. Additionally, educational institutions will be examined from historical, economic, sociological, and political perspectives. 3 credit hours

EDUC 216 Diversity Field Experience

This course provides an opportunity for prospective teachers to observe, tutor, or mentor students in a school where there is a diverse population. Students must complete at least 20 hours of work in a school with a diverse population. (Prerequisite: EDUC 215. Must be completed prior to enrollment in EDUC 440, EDUC 447, EDUC 448, or EDUC 449) 1 credit hour

EDUC 220 Educational Technology

Students will investigate and evaluate the significant impact technology has on learning, motivation, and pedagogy. Students will interpret and implement the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) and for students (NETS-S) and apply the NETS-T to construct valuable teaching experiences, as well as experiences to highlight student learning that reflect the NETS-S. Technology integration across the curriculum will be explored and students will develop and design lessons and use technology tools to support learning in an educational environment. 3 credit hours

EDUC 322 Educational Psychology

A course designed specifically to study the behavior of individuals and groups in educational settings. Emphases are placed upon development, motivation, assessment, individual differences, teaching modalities and learning preferences. Attention is also given to character education and attitudes. Directed observation/participation in the public schools provides practical application of course theory. Twenty hours of observation/participation in a public school classroom required. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education) 3 credit hours

EDUC 323 Introduction to Exceptionalities

A course designed to prepare prospective elementary and secondary teachers in the understanding and appreciation of students with exceptionalities. Emphases are placed upon characteristics and categories of exceptionality, processes of referral, assessment, and placement of exceptional students. Effective teaching practices and observation in the public schools provide practical application of course theory. Twenty hours of observation/participation in a public classroom required. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education) 3 credit hours

EDUC 344 Content Area Literacy

This course will address the content area literacy movement and the philosophy behind this approach to instruction in K-12. Schema activation for pre-reading, metacognitive monitoring for during reading and post-reading discussion building and critical thinking with be addressed. This class will also address vocabulary and concept development, study skills, effective writing prompts, assessments and considerations for special-needs and English language learners. 3 credit hours

EDUC 352 Principles of Effective Secondary Instruction

EDUC 440 Student Teaching Seminar

A seminar course designed to be taken in conjunction with the student teaching block. The course exposes students to current trends and practices related to effective teaching and school improvement. Students will also identify and reflect upon the professional problems which may be encountered by beginning teachers. (Prerequisites: Successful completion of EDUC 439, senior standing, acceptance as a candidate for teacher certification) 1 credit hour

EDUC 438 Teaching (subject) in the Secondary School (Content Area Methods)

This course provides secondary education candidates with instructional strategies, methods, and familiarity with current trends in their content area. Students are involved in a mentoring triad with public school teachers, subject area faculty, and the secondary education director. In conjunction with his or her mentor partners, each student develops a plan for study, observation, and practice in the public schools and on campus. (Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 439 or permission of instructor) 3 credit hours

EDUC 439 Secondary School Methods and Management (Secondary Methods)

This course focuses on the development of professional teaching skills for the secondary and middle school teacher, including: a personal philosophy of education; classroom management procedures; a discipline plan; instructional methods and strategies; program, course, unit, and lesson planning; awareness of current trends in education; and assessment/evaluation strategies. During this semester, students complete their professional portfolio and make application for student teaching placement. This course is taken immediately prior to the professional block. (Prerequisites: Permission of instructor, admission to Teacher Education, and senior standing) 3 credit hours

EDUC 447 Student Teaching/Secondary School 12 credit hours

EDUC 459 Restricted Licensure Program Practicum

1 credit hour

EDUC 448/449 Observation and Supervised Teaching in the Middle/Secondary School

Clinical experiences in teh public schools for teacher certification candidates. (Prerequisites: Successful completion of EDUC 437 or EDUC 439; acceptance as a candidate for teacher licensure. Concurrent with EDUC 440) 12 credit hours

HRD210 Building Academic Success

Introduces academic success topics and tools that are intended to establish and strengthen understanding of the learner and academic success coach relationship, critical thinking and reading, institutional policies and procedures, and the basics of online research and academic writing while experiencing the Southwestern College Professional Studies course format on the way to becoming a Southwestern College Moundbuilder. 3 credit hours

For detailed descriptions of the content area requirements for Secondary Education teachers, please see an advisor for information and a degree program workup.

Admission Requirements

Entering students must have earned a bachelor’s degree (see areas below) from a regionally accredited institute and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Southwestern College offers those learners seeking to teach at the secondary level (6-12th grade) the opportunity to pursue teacher licensure in the following content areas: Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, History, Math, Mid-Level Math, Physics. K-12 Licensure can be obtained for Music and Physical Education. To obtain licensure, Secondary teachers must complete a Bachelor’s degree that contains sufficient content area coursework.

Meta

The need for well-qualified teachers in today’s school systems is increasing, and will continue to increase as a generation of teachers retires from the work force. Southwestern College offers adult learners who want to become teachers the opportunity to complete an education degree or a licensure preparation program in a format that allows a balanced approach to work, family, and educational pursuits.