Secondary Education
Program description
The secondary education certificate program prepares students who wish to teach learners enrolled in grades 6-12. While students develop a strong content background, the secondary education certificate focuses on developing the teaching knowledge and abilities required to teach middle or high school students. In order to integrate teacher preparation with an academic specialization, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College collaborates and communicates with academic departments throughout the university. Professional experiences and a teaching residency are required components of this certificate.
Students can select from the following secondary education content areas, which may vary depending on campus location: biology, business, chemistry, earth and space sciences, economics, English, general science, geography, health, history, mathematics, physics, physical education, political science and American government, theater and some foreign languages.
Graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification in Secondary Education, 6-12. To be eligible for secondary certification in Arizona, students must:
- Pass the appropriate Arizona educator subject knowledge exam, as well as the professional knowledge exam offered through the National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
OR - Have a conferred bachelor's or master's degree with the content area listed in the degree title, and receive a passing score on the professional knowledge exam offered through the National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
This program may also lead to licensure in other states. Students can learn more about professional licensure on the ASU professional licensure website.
Individuals who already have a bachelor's degree may enroll in this program as a nondegree-seeking graduate student, or they may consider the teacher certification graduate certificate online program.
At a glance: program locations
Next steps to attend ASU
Graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification in Secondary Education, 6–12.
To be eligible for secondary certification in Arizona, students must:
- Pass the appropriate Arizona educator subject knowledge exam, as well as the professional knowledge exam offered through the National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
OR
- Have a conferred bachelor's or master’s degree with the content area listed in the degree title, and receive a passing score on the professional knowledge exam offered through the National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
This program may also lead to licensure in other states. Learn more about professional licensure.
Career outlook
Graduates of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College are highly sought out teachers in public, charter and private education institutions. The demand for well-prepared secondary teachers is strong, particularly in the areas of math and science. Job opportunities in a fast growing state such as Arizona are numerous. Career examples include, but are not limited to, those shown in the following list. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Career examples include but are not limited to those shown in the following list. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
- College Program Director
- Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
- High School Teacher
- Instructional Specialist
- Middle School Teacher
- Preschool Teacher
- School Principal
- Tutor
Program contact information
If you have questions related to admission, please fill out the request information form and an admission specialist will contact you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Paying for college
Admission requirements
You are eligible for the Secondary Education Certificate program if you have:
- Content knowledge in one of the following subject areas: art, biology, business, chemistry, dance, earth and space sciences, economics, English, general science, geography, health, history, mathematics, music, physics, physical education, political science/American government, theatre and some foreign languages.
- Content knowledge needs to be demonstrated by a passing score on the appropriate AEPA/NES exams.
- The ability to obtain a valid Arizona IVP DPS fingerprint clearance card
- Enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate or a non-degree-seeking graduate student at ASU
- A GPA of 2.25 for progression into the final semester of student teaching.