B.S.Ed. Secondary Education

The Secondary Education programs prepare teacher candidates to teach in Grades 7-12 in Pennsylvania. The programs combine professional education with an academic content area in English, Mathematics, Social Studies or Physics. Dual degree options in each content area are available.

Teacher candidates interested in teaching Biology or Chemistry in Grades 7-12 participate in an integrated program that results in a Bachelor’s degree in one of the sciences and a Master’s of Science Degree in Education. This program is considered an Early Start program. Students interested in certification in Biology or Chemistry should speak to their student success coach in the School of Science and Engineering.

The Secondary Education program is guided by Pennsylvania state standards and by standards of national professional organizations. Teacher candidates address professional standards in their respective content areas through coursework and projects and implement the standards in their fieldwork. All of the experiences in the secondary education program reflect the themes of Leadership, Diversity and Technology and are based on the five domains of the Leading Teacher Program.

Teacher candidates in Secondary Education program complete a minimum of 124-126 credit hours (depending on content area).  Teacher candidates enrolled in a Secondary certification program build the academic content required for certification in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The academic subject area component includes at least 30 credit hours in the specific content area. The majority of courses in the University/General Education Core and in the Foundations of the Leading Teacher Program are typically completed in semesters 1-4. Remaining credits are used to build the academic content area required for certification in Pennsylvania.

In semesters 5, 6 and 7, Secondary Education teacher candidates complete a minimum of 12 credits of professional preparation. Coursework includes appropriate content area methods, electronic literacy for instruction, content area reading, and academic adaptations and accommodations for secondary students. Field experiences are required and are integrated with the education coursework. Academic content area coursework continues through semesters 5, 6, and 7. Semester 8 is a 12-credit student teaching experience. The following course of study in the next section is required for Secondary teacher candidates.

The Secondary Math Education Programs at Duquesne University are nationally recognized by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a specialized professional association recognized by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation).

Mathematics: The Secondary Math Education Program at Duquesne University is nationally recognized by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a specialized professional association. NCTM presents a vision of effective teaching and learning in mathematics (NCTM 2000, 1991), asserting that effective teaching "redirects mathematics instruction from a focus on presenting content through lecture and demonstration to a focus on active participation and involvement." As a teaching candidate in the Graduate Program in Secondary Mathematics, you will explore how to "facilitate learners' construction of their own knowledge of mathematics." The purpose of the program is to engage teaching candidates in developing the fundamental knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching middle school and high school mathematics in ways that promote all students' learning and understanding. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryed@duq.edu  

English: The Secondary English Education Program at Duquesne University is nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a specialized professional association. NCTE and the International Literacy Association (ILA) have collaborated in the creation of standards for the English language arts to "ensure that all students are offered the opportunities, the encouragement, and the vision to develop the language skills they need to pursue life's goals, including personal enrichment and participation as informed members of our society" (1996). As a teacher candidate in the Graduate Program in Secondary English, you are provided with opportunities to explore issues regarding the theory and practice of teaching English at the secondary level and to engage in teaching adolescents the skills of writing, reading, responding to literature, listening, speaking, and exploring new media while considering student and community contexts. Through a strongly oriented social justice framework, the focus of the program will be to facilitate candidates as more knowledgeable, insightful, creative and compassionate teachers upon entry into the secondary English classroom. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryed@duq.edu

Social Studies: The Secondary Social Studies Education Program at Duquesne University is nationally recognized by the National Council for Teachers of Social Studies (NCSS), a specialized professional association. According to the NCSS (1992), "the primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world." As a teaching candidate in the Graduate Program in Secondary Social Studies, you will have the opportunity to develop ideas and practices that support this imperative of democratic citizenship as well as develop the fundamental knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching middle school and high school social studies. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryed@duq.edu  

Secondary Social Studies Curriculum

University Requirements

(Gen Eds/Bridges Common Learning Experience/PDE Reqs)

  • BRDG 100 Research and Info. Skills, 3 cr
  • BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis, 3 cr
  • BRDG 102 Writing and Literature, 3 cr
  • BRDG 105 Into to Ethical Reasoning, 3 cr
  • EQ Essential Questions, 3 cr
  • Philosophy Elective (Any PHIL 200+ course), 3 cr
  • Theology Elective (Any THEO 200+ course), 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3-4 cr) of:
    • MATH 101 + MATH 101R
    • MATH 105
    • MATH 111
    • MATH 115
  • Choose 1 (3 cr) of:
    • MATH 125
    • MATH 225
  • Choose 1 (3cr) of:
    • BIOL 120
    • CHEM 107
    • ENVI 126
    • ENVI 191
    • PHYS 123
    • PHYS 125

Social Studies Content Area Course Options

(for Content Area Slots)

Civics and Government
  • POSC 105 American National Government, 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3 cr) of:
    • POSC 110 Current Problems in International Politics, 3 cr
    • POSC 245 International Relations, 3 cr
Economics
  • ECON 201 Principles of Micro Economics, 3 cr
  • ECON 202 Principles of Macro Economics,  3 cr
Psychology
  • PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr
Sociology/Anthropology 
  • Choose 2 (3 cr each) of:
    • SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology, 3 cr
    • SOCI 104 Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr
    • SOCI 106 Social Problems and Social Politics, 3 cr
    • SOCI 124 Global Sociology, 3 cr

History Content Area Course Options

(for Content Area Slots)

  • HIST 204 U.S. Since 1877, 3 cr
  • HIST 214 Western Civilization II, 3 cr
  • HIST 311W Writing History, 3 cr
  • HIST 394 Historical Geography, 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3 cr) of:
    • ARHY 111 Ancient Medieval World, 3 cr
    • HIST 200-400 Elective
  • Choose 1 (3 cr) of:
    • HIST 203 U.S. to 1877, 3 cr
    • HIST 213 Western Civilization I, 3 cr
  • Choose 2 (3 cr each) of:
    • Any African, Latin American, Asian, or Middle Eastern History course
  • Any Elective (200-400 level), 3 cr
  • Writing Intensive Elective (400W level), 3 cr

LTP Courses

  • EDUC 181 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • LTFL 110 Intro to Critical Education, 3 cr
  • EDUC 182 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • LTFL 102 Ethics, Education, and Teaching Profession, 3 cr
  • LTSP 203 Fnd of Inclsv Educ Prct Sp Ed, 3 cr
  • LTSP 293 Incl Field Experience Stage I, 0 cr
  • LTFL 203 Social Justice in Community Engaged Educational Setting, 3 cr
  • LTFL 209 Ed Psych; Development, Learning and Motivation, 3 cr
  • EDUC 110 Classroom Management, 3 cr
  • LTEL 201 Manage the Needs of English Language Learners, 3 cr
  • LFTL 218 Foundations of Classroom Assessment 3, cr / LTSP 216 Foundations of Assessment for Dual Cert, 0 cr
  • LTFL 298 Classroom Assessment Field Exp Stg 2, 0 cr / LTSP 296 Classroom Assessment Field Exp Dual Cert, 0 cr

Professional Preparation Courses

  • EDLS 301W Content Area Reading 3 / EDLS 398 Field Experience – Content Area Reading, 0 cr
  • EDLT 302 Electronic Literacy of Instructional Technology, 3 cr
  • EDLS 346 Teaching Social Studies in Secondary School, 3 cr / EDLS 399 Field Experience Teaching Methods, 0 cr
  • LTSP 401 Implementing Inclusive Education, 3 cr
  • LTSP 356 Instructional Methods in Special Ed, 3 cr (for Dual Certification in Special Education)
  • LTSP 396 Classroom Instruction Methods, 3 cr (for Dual Certification in Special Education)
  • EDLS 421 Secondary Capstone Experience, 3 cr 
  • EDLS 492 Student Teaching Secondary or K-12, 12 cr

Secondary Mathematics Curriculum

University Requirements

(Gen Eds/Bridges Common Learning Experience/PDE Reqs)

  • BRDG 100 Research and Info. Skills, 3 cr
  • BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis, 3 cr
  • BRDG 102 Writing and Literature, 3 cr
  • BRDG 105 Into to Ethical Reasoning, 3 cr
  • EQ Essential Questions, 3 cr
  • Philosophy Elective (Any PHIL 200+ course), 3 cr
  • Theology Elective (Any THEO 200+ course), 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3cr) of:
    • BIOL 120
    • CHEM 107
    • ENVI 126
    • ENVI 191
    • PHYS 123
    • PHYS 125

Mathematics Content Area Courses

  • MATH 115 Calculus I, 4 cr
  • MATH 116 Calculus II, 4 cr
  • MATH 215 Calculus III, 4 cr
  • MATH 250 Foundations of Higher Mathematics, 3 cr
  • MATH 310 Linear Algebra, 3 cr
  • MATH 330W Fundamentals of Geometry, 3 cr
  • MATH 301 Intro to Probability and Statistics I, 3 cr
  • MATH 311 Number Theory, 3 cr
  • MATH 302W Intro to Probability and Statistics II, 3 cr
  • MATH 350W History of Mathematics, 3 cr
  • MATH 411W Abstract Algebra I, 3 cr

Electives

  • Choose 1 of:
    • COSC 160 + 160L Scientific Program: Java w/ Lab, 3 cr
    • COSC 170 Intro to Python Programming, 3 cr

LTP Courses

  • EDUC 181 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • LTFL 110 Intro to Critical Education, 3 cr
  • EDUC 182 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • LTFL 102 Ethics, Education, and Teaching Profession, 3 cr
  • LTSP 203 Fnd of Inclsv Educ Prct Sp Ed, 3 cr
  • LTSP 293 Incl Field Experience Stage I, 0 cr
  • LTFL 203 Social Justice in Community Engaged Educational Setting, 3 cr
     
    LTFL 209 Ed Psych; Development, Learning and Motivation, 3 cr
  • EDUC 110 Classroom Management, 3 cr
  • LTEL 201 Manage the Needs of English Language Learners, 3 cr
  • LFTL 218 Foundations of Classroom Assessment 3, cr/ LTSP 216 Foundations of Assessment for Dual Cert, 0 cr
  • LTFL 298 Classroom Assessment Field Exp Stg 2, 0 cr / LTSP 296 Classroom Assessment Field Exp Dual Cert, 0 cr

Professional Preparation

  • EDLS 301W Content Area Reading, 3 cr / EDLS 398 Field Experience – Content Area Reading, 0 cr
  • EDLT 302 Electronic Literacy of Instructional Technology, 3 cr
  • EDLS 341 Teaching Secondary School Math 3, cr / EDLS 399 Field Experience Teaching Methods, 0 cr
  • EDLS 336 Teaching Math Grades 5-8, 3 cr / EDLS 399 Field Experience Teaching Methods, 0 cr
  • LTSP 401 Implementing Inclusive Education, 3 cr
  • LTSP 356 Instructional Methods in Special Ed, 3 cr (for Dual Certification in Special Education)
  • LTSP 396 Classroom Instruction Methods, 3 cr (for Dual Certification in Special Education)
  • EDLS 421 Secondary Capstone Experience, 3 cr
  • EDLS 492 Student Teaching Secondary or K-12, 12 cr

Secondary English Education Curriculum

University Requirements

(Gen Eds/Bridges Common Learning Experience/PDE Reqs)

  • BRDG 100 Research and Info. Skills, 3 cr
  • BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis, 3 cr
  • BRDG 102 Writing and Literature, 3 cr
  • BRDG 105 Into to Ethical Reasoning, 3 cr
  • EQ Essential Questions, 3 cr
  • Philosophy Elective (Any PHIL 200+ course), 3 cr
  • Theology Elective (Any THEO 200+ course), 3 cr
  • MATH 102 Problem Solving, 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3-4cr) of:
    • MATH 101 + MATH 101R
    • MATH 105
    • MATH 111
    • MATH 115
    • MATH 125
    • MATH 225
  • Choose 1 (3cr) of:
    • BIOL 120
    • CHEM 107
    • ENVI 126
    • ENVI 191
    • PHYS 123
    • PHYS 125

English Content Area Courses

(Literary Studies)

  • ENGL 101 Multi-Genre Creative Writing, 3 cr
  • ENGL 300W Critical Issues in Literacy Studies, 3 cr
  • ENGL 317 Survey of British Literature I, 3 cr
  • ENGL 322 World Literatures, 3 cr
  • ENGL 433 Spst: Language and Linguistics, 3 cr 
  • Choose 1 (3cr) of:
    • ENGL 319 Survey of American Literature I, 3 cr
    • ENGL 320 Survey of American Literature II, 3 cr
  • Four 3 credit courses at the 400 level (12 total credits) that address the time periods of pre-1700, 1700-1900,  post-1900, and the concept of diversity
  • Three 3 credit writing courses at the 300 level (9 cr)
  • Two 3 credit writing courses at the 400 level (6 cr)

LTP Courses

  • EDUC 181 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • LTFL 110 Intro to Critical Education, 3 cr
  • EDUC 182 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • LTFL 102 Ethics, Education, and Teaching Profession, 3 cr
  • LTSP 203 Fnd of Inclsv Educ Prct Sp Ed, 3 cr
  • LTSP 293 Incl Field Experience Stage I, 0 cr
  • LTFL 203 Social Justice in Community Engaged Educational Setting, 3 cr
  • LTFL 209 Ed Psych; Development, Learning and Motivation, 3 cr
  • EDUC 110 Classroom Management, 3 cr
  • LTEL 201 Manage the Needs of English Language Learners, 3 cr
  • LFTL 218 Foundations of Classroom Assessment, 3 cr/ LTSP 216 Foundations of Assessment for Dual Cert, 0 cr
  • LTFL 298 Classroom Assessment Field Exp Stg 2, 0 cr / LTSP 296 Classroom Assessment Field Exp Dual Cert, 0 cr

Professional Preparation

  • EDLS 301W Content Area Reading, 3 cr / EDLS 398 Field Experience – Content Area Reading, 0 cr
  • EDLT 302 Electronic Literacy of Instructional Technology, 3 cr
  • EDLS 340 Adolescent Literature, 3 cr
  • EDLS 343 Teaching English and Communication in Secondary School, 3 cr / EDLS 399 Field Experience Teaching Methods, 0 cr
  • LTSP 401 Implementing Inclusive Education, 3 cr
  • LTSP 356 Instructional Methods in Special Ed, 3 cr (for Dual Certification in Special Education)
  • LTSP 396 Classroom Instruction Methods, 3 cr (for Dual Certification in Special Education)
  • EDLS 421 Secondary Capstone Experience, 3 cr
  • EDLS 492 Student Teaching Secondary or K-12, 12 cr

Learning Outcomes for Bachelor Programs

  • Exhibits exemplary content knowledge in the subject area of certification.
  • Demonstrates the ability to plan instruction with academic rigor in light of state and national content standards.
  • Utilizes resources from professional organizations specific to the content area and for education in general.
    Demonstrates the ability to apply, analyze and evaluate a variety of research-based instructional techniques at the secondary level.
  • Implements instruction that: a) supports the development of students' critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills; b) fosters conceptual understanding of the content; c) incorporates worthwhile tasks in the content area; d) utilizes questioning techniques, and e) engages students in discourse appropriate to the discipline.
  • Plans and Implements instruction that attends to and supports learners from diverse backgrounds and academic needs.
  • Demonstrates the ability to design formative and summative assessments of students' understanding, and to use the results of those assessments as the basis of instructional decision-making at the individual and whole-class level.
  • Demonstrates the ability to select and use technology, manipulatives, and other resources in ways that enhance students' learning.
  • Demonstrates the capacity to attend to social equity issues in planning and organizing instruction in high school classrooms.
  • Understands the professional role of a secondary teacher in supporting students' transition from high school to college and/or to the workforce, including ways to work with students, families, and communities in ethical and responsive ways.