Secondary Education

One Course At A Time

As someone who is interested in becoming a secondary education teacher, you’ll soon value the benefits of learning on the block plan. You focus on one course for 18 days, every day, Monday through Friday. Classes are small, interactive, and challenging. You get to know your professors and they get to know you. You get familiar with (and learn to appreciate) the diverse perspectives of your classmates who come from all over the U.S. and internationally to experience college One Course At A Time.

Journey from student to secondary education teacher

• Start by taking EDU 215 Educational Psychology and two additional 200-level education courses in your first two years.
• Declare your subject major in your sophomore year.

  Secondary education students don’t major in secondary education but they do work toward certification and can obtain endorsement in certain subjects. You’ll major in a subject you want to teach, completing coursework designed to meet the teacher licensure requirements for the State of Iowa in multiple endorsement areas.

• Apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) after completing EDU 215 and two additional 200-level courses.

• You'll continue to complete coursework, working toward your endorsements and/or your certification. By the time you are student teaching in your senior year, you’ll be classroom comfortable, because previous practicums will have prepared you.

Successful TEP graduates should apply for their Iowa teaching license upon graduation. Iowa licensure provides graduates with reciprocity in most states and territories in the U.S.*

*Specific state by state reciprocity is shared with TEP students at time of admission to the program. 

Finding your first teaching job

We work closely with you, providing mentorship, supervision, and guidance as you craft your resumes, cover letters, and application materials. Your professors know you well, which means they can write a more personalized letter that speak to your abilities for that first job. We will offer you guidance throughout your job search process. Before you interview for that first job, you’ll get the chance to attend a career day to participate in mock interviews with real principals.

We’re with you every step of the journey.