About the Secondary Education Program
The Secondary Education program at Tougaloo College prepares passionate educators to teach students in grades 7-12. Our comprehensive program combines deep subject matter expertise with proven pedagogical methods, ensuring graduates are ready to inspire and engage adolescent learners in their chosen academic discipline.
Students pursue dual preparation in their chosen teaching subject and professional education coursework. Through extensive field experiences, student teaching, and collaboration with content area departments, our graduates develop both the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective secondary teachers in today's diverse educational landscape.
Subject Matter Expertise
Develop deep knowledge in your chosen teaching field through rigorous coursework in partnership with academic departments.
Adolescent Focus
Learn specialized strategies for teaching and connecting with teenage students, understanding their unique developmental needs.
Proven Methods
Master evidence-based teaching strategies, classroom management, and assessment techniques for secondary environments.
Secondary Education Teaching Fields
Secondary Education students collaborate with various academic departments to develop expertise in their chosen teaching field. Students complete a major or extensive coursework in their subject area alongside professional education requirements.
Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Career Opportunities in Secondary Education
Secondary Education graduates are prepared for diverse career opportunities in middle schools, high schools, and educational organizations. With your subject matter expertise and teaching credentials, you can make a meaningful impact on adolescent learners and help shape the next generation.
Teaching Positions
- Middle School Teacher (Grades 6-8)
- High School Teacher (Grades 9-12)
- Advanced Placement (AP) Instructor
- Dual Enrollment Teacher
- International Baccalaureate Educator
- Online/Virtual School Teacher
- Private School Instructor
Educational Leadership
- Department Head/Chair
- Curriculum Coordinator
- Instructional Coach
- Assistant Principal
- Academic Dean
- Educational Consultant
- Professional Development Trainer
Specialized Roles
- Gifted and Talented Coordinator
- STEM Program Director
- Career and Technical Education Teacher
- Educational Technology Specialist
- Textbook and Curriculum Developer
- Museum or Science Center Educator
- Corporate Training Specialist
Degree Requirements
The Secondary Education program at Tougaloo College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree designed to prepare students for initial teacher certification in grades 7–12. This program equips aspiring educators with both subject matter expertise and foundational teaching skills.
Students engage in rigorous coursework and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced faculty in their chosen teaching field. The program emphasizes the development of effective instructional strategies, classroom management, and a strong understanding of adolescent learning.
Secondary Education, B.A.
Professional Courses in Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)
Field experience and practicum courses are noted with an asterisk (*).
Prerequisite(s): EDE 101
This seminar is designed to address issues and trends in behavior management. The seminar includes a wide range of theoretical approaches and correlating applications relevant for the field of behavior management. Emphasis will be positioned on viable comprehensive methodology and strategies useful for managing student behavior in educational settings. Students are expected to cultivate a practical understanding of the application of behavior management with diverse populations. In addition, the students are expected to formulate, design, conduct, write, and present a behavior management project. A practicum is required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
The course is designed to focus on studying the developmental and remedial reading processes for elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Topics will include approaches for diagnosis teaching, preparation, selection, evaluation, utilization of instructional materials, and equipment in different learning environments. Language development, listening, speaking, and writing across the curriculum will also be studied. The use of technology in the content area will also be examined. Practicum is required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the use of tests as instruments of measurement for cognitive and diagnostic purposes; educational research development from the historical to the present studies in the field; methods of educational research for quantitative studies and knowledge of simple qualitative measures. The use of technology in testing and measurement will also be explored.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course is designed to provide field experience for candidates for the Teacher Education program in secondary schools. While enrolled in this fifteen-week course in practicum, students will participate in a student teaching experience under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and a college supervisor. Students must pass Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching examination and Praxis II (subject area/content) examination prior to student teaching. Students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the competencies measured by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium.
CREDIT: 15 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Additional Information
In addition to an academic major in the content area, or equivalent hours, candidates seeking educator licensure in grades 7-12 shall complete the following courses and minimum number of hours: English (6 semester hours); College Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning, or higher-level mathematics (3 semester hours); Natural Science (6 semester hours); Humanities and Arts (9 semester hours); Special Education (3 semester hours). The School of Education is approved to offer educator licensure in the following areas for secondary education grades 7-12: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Math, Music, and Physics. Clinical experience is fifteen (15) hours, which includes preliminary assignments and sixty (60) full days of student teaching at a state-accredited school the semester before graduation. Student teachers can take one evening course or one online course while student teaching. Exceptions must be approved by the Office of the Provost.
Shape the Future of Secondary Education
Join the Secondary Education program at Tougaloo College and prepare to inspire the next generation of learners. Combine your passion for your subject area with proven teaching methods to make a lasting impact on adolescent students.