| Undergraduate Degree Program

About OU's Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education

The Secondary Education Degree will provide students who are preparing for the education profession with a high-quality academic setting and field based experience. Educators will obtain a clear understanding of student need, instructional approaches, content knowledge, continued professional growth, and a commitment to creating a learning environment for all 6-12 students. Through multiple different concentrations, the degree is designed to assist in meeting the criteria to become a 6-12 classroom teacher.

Students will participate in student teaching and gain a foundation in today’s educational methods as you work towards your teaching license. Specific subject-matter courses, developed in collaboration with lead faculty in the discipline, build connections between theory and practice. Preparations in the subject major along with education courses, including field experiences, assist in leading to licensure. For students acquiring their first bachelor degree in an education program, they will need to complete or have the equivalent of the following coursework associated with the licensure area they are seeking in addition to the education coursework for the program. In addition, they will need one mathematics course, one psychology course, and one science course with a lab.

The requirements outlined meet The Ottawa University teacher education program is state approved in Arizona and Kansas and is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The requirements outlined here meet licensure standards for the states of Arizona and Kansas. Completion of this program does not guarantee licensure or certification in other states.

Four BASE Concentrations

Ottawa’s bachelor’s degree in secondary education offers several concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree in an area of specialization, such as:

Career Outlook for B.A. in Secondary Education

Potential employment opportunity for secondary education majors include teaching in public or private middle schools or high schools, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These teaching jobs are projected to grow 4 percent through 2029. Rising student enrollment should increase demand for middle school teachers, but employment growth will vary by region.

The median annual wage for middle school teachers was $59,660 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,280. The median annual wage for high school teachers was $61,660 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,540, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $99,660.

Perspective on the BASE

Secondary Education programs prepare individuals to teach content areas in the secondary school system by offering deep content knowledge as well as the best practices for teaching. Specific subject- matter courses, developed in collaboration with lead faculty in the discipline, build connections between theory and practice. Preparation in the subject matter along with education courses, including field experiences, are a pathway to licensure/ certification.

For curriculum and course descriptions, please download a program overview.

To get started on your journey toward a secondary education degree at Ottawa University, contact us today.

Secondary Education is offered at the following locations.

Surprise, AZ (Residential Campus)
Kansas City (Overland Park, Kansas)
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Online

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program meets professional licensure requirements in certain states, as outlined on the University’s Licensure Disclosure pag e. Students are advised to verify that they are located (or plan to seek initial licensure) in a state where Ottawa University’s program meets requirements. Students who have questions about a program’s status should consult with an enrollment advisor. Those who relocate to another state during their course of study may no longer be eligible to enroll in the program or receive federal financial aid, and they may not meet licensure requirements in their state.

Secondary Education Courses

For curriculum and course descriptions, please Download a program overview.

Click Here for Full Course Catalog

Education Course Requirements

PSY 12053 | General Psychology (3 Credits)
Introduces basic elements in understanding human behavior. Emphasis on basic concepts and terminology of psychology including the biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, history of psychology, growth and development, motivation, learning, measurement and scientific methodology, emotion, personality, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy.

EDU 20100 | Educational Psychology (3 Credits) Designed to acquaint students with knowledge gained from educational psychologists in learning theory and practice, motivation and management, and effective instruction for preK-12 education. Meets required competencies in research, teaching methods and materials, media and technology, teaching effectiveness, interpersonal relations, educational ethics, understanding the learner, teaching-learning process, learning styles, and understanding the relationship between school and home. Emphasis placed on understanding management strategies, motivational techniques and assessments needed to maintain an effective learning environment and academic success. Prerequisites: General Psychology. Note: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Required course for the curriculum, and instruction degrees. Transfer credits accepted.

EDU 20200 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3 Credits)
Designed to realize various emotional and behavioral disorders, health and physical impairments, and intellectual deviations associated with learners (birth through high school age) who are identified as exceptional. Areas of exceptionality include, but are not limited to the following: ADHD, autism, dyslexia, gifted, etc. Addresses strategies for meeting academic, social and emotional needs of these children and youth within the confines of the classroom (including IEPs and 504Bs). Examines criteria for effectively working with administrators, specialists, support personnel, family, and other resources who impact the educational experiences of these children. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology and EDU 20100 Educational Psychology. Note: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Required course for the curriculum, and instruction degrees. Transfer credits accepted.

EDU 30100 | Foundations of Schools in Our Society (3 Credits)
Provides an understanding of historical, philosophical and foundational context of education in the United States. Addresses legal aspects, professional educator codes, and concerns surrounding education. Learn how educational policy is formulated and affects classroom practice. Provides opportunities to gain knowledge from a variety of professionals from varied backgrounds. This is the entry course to the School of Education: Teacher Education program. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology and EDU 20100 Educational Psychology. Note: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Required course for the curriculum, and instruction degrees. Transfer credits accepted.

EDU 35500 | Adolescent Specialized Methods (3 Credits)
Learn about how classrooms and middle and high schools work. Role play and observe instructional activities in action. Realize how different models of schools operate. Work on lesson design and balanced assessments for content specialization. Examine state and national standards for content area. Inspect national and state specialized professional associations. Practice aspects of data driven instruction. Explore aspects of classroom organization and learner motivation. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Educational Psychology, one 3-credit hour MAT course prior to enrolling in this course, and Admittance to the School of Education. Co-current enrollment in EDU 36000 Introductory Teaching Practicum. Note: Required course for all secondary and P-12 teacher education majors. Required course for the curriculum and instruction secondary degree. May not be a transferred course.

EDU 36000 | Introductory Teaching Practicum (2 Credits)
Observe and work (plan lessons and activities) under the direction of a school-based setting. On-site mentors and university supervisors will guide this experience. A minimum of 40 hours in the field setting is required. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Education Psychology, one 3-credit MAT course, and Admittance to the School of Education. Notes: Co-current enrollment in EDU 35100 Elementary Mathematics Methods (4) or EDU 35500 Adolescent Specialized Methods (3 credits) is required. Candidates must have a 2.8 gpa, initial licensing or certification taken, background check (KS) or IVP card (AZ), and TB test (KS), and Education Department approval. Request for practicum placement must be made the semester prior. Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Transfer credits not accepted. Course maybe repeated without co-current enrollment.

EDU 38000 | Foundations of Instruction in English Language Learners Classroom (3 Credits) Course examines the acquisition of language and effective strategies for supporting English Language Learners in the classroom. Assessments and instructional strategies align with the ELL proficiency standards and applies sheltered instruction and other instruction approaches within diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments. In addition, the course describes the legal, historical, and educational precedents currently impacting ELL instruction and support within public schools. The course further identifies and uses multiple strategies to improve student achievement by ensuring candidates are able to provide: comprehensible input, ongoing, specific and immediate feedback, various grouping structures and techniques. Human behaviors and community influences such as language shift, self-concept, and the role of life in learning are also reviewed. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Educational Psychology and admittance to the School of Education. Notes: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. A required course option for all curriculum and instruction degrees or EDU 44033 SEI Methods for English Language Learners (3 credits) can be taken instead. Transfer credits accepted.

EDU 40000 | Adolescent Literacy Skills and Reading in the Content Area (3 Credits) Learn to design, implement, and evaluate materials and instructional techniques for early through late adolescent learner. Topics include the pillars of the science of reading, assessing readability of materials across content areas. Learn to evaluate student reading skills, teaching vocabulary, comprehension and study skills, working with at risk students, and incorporating writing into curriculum. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Educational Psychology), one 3-credit hour MAT course prior to enrolling in this course, and Admittance to the School of Education. Co-current enrollment in EDU 46000 Advanced Teaching Practicum. Notes: Required course for all secondary (except English/LA) and P-12 teacher education majors and the Curriculum and Instruction Secondary degree. May not be a transferred course.

EDU 40100 | Theoretical and Foundational Knowledge of Structured Literacy Instruction (3 Credits) Identify and apply the theoretical and foundational knowledge for reading, writing, listening, and speaking as set forth in the five pillars of literacy instruction supported by the science of reading research. Realize and apply current evidence-based best practices aligned to the science of reading and utilizes the principles and individual elements of structured literacy (i.e. phonology, alphabetic principle, syllable types and division, morphology, syntax, and semantics) when planning and implementing engaging literacy instruction for Pre-K and elementary students. Develop an understanding of the interrelated components of general literacy and disciplinary specific literacy processes that serve as a foundation for all learning (preK to 8th grade). Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Educational Psychology, and admittance to the School of Education. Notes: Required course for all elementary education licensure, certification programs. Required course for the Curriculum and Instruction-Elementary degree. Transfer credits not accepted.

EDU 40300 | Structured Literacy Instruction (3 Credits) The teacher candidate recognizes and applies current evidence-based best practices as aligned to the science of reading and utilizes the principles (i.e., explicit, systematic, cumulative, diagnostic, multisensory, and multimodal) and individual elements of structured literacy (i.e., phonology, alphabetic principle, stable types and division, morphology, syntax, and semantics) when planning and implementing engaging literacy instruction for pre-K and early adolescent students. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Educational Psychology, and Admittance Letter to the School of Education.

EDU 40500 | Literacy Assessment/Evaluation-All Learners (3 Credits) Realize appropriate and various literacy assessment strategies (phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, and emergent literacy) to engage learners (pre-K to early adolescent students) in their own growth. Develop an understanding of the impact of external factors (e.g., language, culture, and socioeconomics) on student learning. Acquire skills to determine how to select, implement, and analyze screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring data of all learners. Language acquisition and literacy development for instruction. Learn to use appropriate data for accountability purposes, to identify students with specific difficulties and disabilities (such as but not limited to dyslexia and dysgraphia), and to create individualized interventions. Prerequisites: EDU 40100 Theoretical/Foundational Knowledge of Structured Literacy Instruction and EDU 40300 Structured Literacy Instruction.

EDU 46000 | Advanced Teaching Practicum (2 Credits) Observe and work under the direction of a school-based setting. On-site mentors and university supervisors will guide this experience. A minimum of 60 hours in the field setting is required. Prerequisites: PSY 12053 General Psychology, EDU 20100 Educational Psychology, one 3-credit hour MAT course, and Admittance to the School of Education. Notes: Co-current enrollment in EDU 40100 Theoretical and Foundational Knowledge of Structured Literacy Instruction (3 credits) for elementary education majors and EDU 40200 Literacy Assessment and Evaluation of Diverse Learners (3 credits) is required for elementary education majors and secondary education English majors. Co-current enrollment in EDU 40000 Adolescent Literacy Skills and Reading in the Content Area (3 credits) is required for preK-12 (art, PE, and music) and secondary education majors (business, biology, history and mathematics). Candidates must have a 3.0 gpa, initial licensing or certification taken, background check (KS) or IVP card (AZ), and TB test (KS), and Education Department approval. Request for practicum placement must be made the semester prior. Course may be repeated without co-current enrollment.

EDU 49000 | Reflective Practice (6 Credits) Reflective Practice activities associated with preservice student teaching experiences or teacher apprenticeship culmination. Activities include reflective journals, disposition reflections and components of identifying present and future professional development needs. On-site mentors and university supervisors will guide this experience. This is a school classroom-based experience. Prerequisites: Completion of all teacher education preparation coursework prior to engaging in the student teaching experience. Candidates must have a 3.0 gpa, initial licensing or certification taken, background check (KS) or IVP card (AZ), and TB test (KS), and Education Department approval. Request for student teaching placement must be made the semester prior to student teaching. Notes: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Transfer credits not accepted.

EDU 49500 | Clinical Lab (6 Credits) Reflective Clinical Practice activities associated with preservice student teaching experiences or teacher apprenticeship culmination. On-site mentors and university supervisors will guide this experience. Activities include, observations, feedback evaluations, planning and designing, implementing, and assessing lessons and instructional units. This is a school classroom-based experience. Prerequisites: Completion of all teacher education preparation coursework prior to engaging in the student teaching experience. Candidates must have a 3.0 gpa, initial licensing or certification taken, background check (KS) or IVP card (AZ), and TB test (KS), and Education Department approval. Request for student teaching placement must be made the semester prior to student teaching. Notes: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Transfer credits not accepted.

EDU 49900 | Action Research and Assessment (3 Credits) Capstone activities associated with preservice student teaching experiences or teacher apprenticeship culmination. Activities may include, but not limited to, professional development in trauma informed care, ELL instruction, dyslexia, balanced assessments, life-career balance and parent-community involvement. Final teaching worksample portfolio (action research) will be submitted in this course. Other programming gaps may be covered in this course. This is a classroom-based experience. Prerequisites: Completion of all teacher education preparation coursework prior to engaging in the student teaching experience. Candidates must have a 3.0 gpa, initial licensing or certification exams taken, background check (KS) or IVP card (AZ), and TB test (KS), and Education Department approval. Co-current enrollment in EDU 49500 Clinical Lab is required. Notes: Required course for all teacher education licensure, certification programs. Required course for the curriculum and instruction degrees. May not be a transferred course.