Secondary Education

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Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2121
Fax: 401.865.1021
Location: Harkins Hall 328

The Faculty

Associate Professors

Brian M. McCadden, Ph.D.
Carmen A. Rolon, Ed.D., Program Director

Assistant Professors

Comfort M. Ateh, Ph. D.
Kevin J. O’Connor, Ph. D.

Secondary Education

Preparation for a teaching career requires: (1) a background of general education, (2) specialization in the subject area, and (3) study in the field of education. The subject areas in which students may be certified include:

• Biology/Secondary Education (B.S.) 
• Biology/Secondary Education (B.A.) 
• Chemistry/Secondary Education 
• English/Secondary Education 
• Foreign Language/Secondary Education  (French, Italian, or Spanish)
• History/Secondary Education  (eligible for RI certification in Social Studies)
• Mathematics/Secondary Education  
• Physics/Secondary Education   

Students preparing for the teaching profession must complete a subject area major in addition to the teacher preparation program. Please refer to the appropriate department or program sections of this catalog for the suggested sequence of courses for the subject areas listed above.

Prospective secondary education students must participate in a formal admissions process to the program either second semester of the sophomore year or first semester of the junior year. Minimally, this process will require students to have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50, earn a “C” or better in all education classes, maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 in subject area, pass a standardized basic skills test, attend required assessment seminars, and participate in the assessment review process. Unsuccessful applicants will be able to continue their major only in their subject area department.

Although Providence College is a test optional institution, completion of the Secondary Education Program requires passing a variety of basic skills, teaching skills, and content knowledge tests needed for eligibility for certification as a secondary education teacher in Rhode Island and states with reciprocal agreements.

To be admitted to student teaching as seniors, students must also pass standardized content and pedagogy tests.  Please see the Undergraduate Assessment Handbook on our Web site for a thorough description of these requirements.

A course program must be planned with the director of secondary education, preferably prior to registration for the spring semester of sophomore year. Minimum undergraduate preparation in the field of education consists of 32 semester hours as follows:

EDU 201 - Educational Psychology  3 Credits
EDU 206 - Principles of Secondary Education  3 Credits
EDU 206L - Principles of Secondary Education Field Experience  1 Credit
EDU 301 - Foundations of Education  3 Credits
EDU 303 - The Child with Special Needs in the Regular Classroom  3 Credits
EDU 303L - The Child with Special Needs in the Regular Classroom Field Experience  1 Credit
EDU 401 - Educational Measurement  3 Credits
EDU 401L - Educational Measurement Field Experience  1 Credit

EDU 411 - Teaching English in Secondary Schools  3 Credits
EDU 412 - Teaching Science in Secondary Schools  3 Credits
EDU 414 - Teaching History & Social Studies in Secondary Schools  3 Credits

EDU 415 - Teaching Modern Languages in Secondary Schools  3 Credits
OR
EDU 416 - Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools  3 Credits 

EDU 411L - Teaching English in Secondary Schools Field Experience  1 Credit
EDU 412L - Teaching Science in Secondary Schools Field Experience  1 Credit
EDU 414L - Teaching History & Social Studies in Secondary Schools Field Experience  1 Credit

EDU 415L - Teaching Modern Languages in Secondary Schools Field Experience  1 Credit
OR
EDU 416L - Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools Field Experience  1 Credit 

EDU 450 - Student Teaching in the Secondary School  9 Credits

• Please see the Education Programs  section of this catalog for important admission information.
  
• Core Curriculum proficiences met by completing the Secondary Education Program are civic engagement (EDU 301) and oral communication (EDU 450).
  
• A variety of study abroad opportunities are available for students in the program.
• For a list of additional education courses, please refer to the Elementary/Special Education  section of this Catalog.

The Secondary Education Programs (biology, chemistry, English, foreign language studies, history, mathematics, and physics) fulfill the Core Focus requirement by virtue of completing all requirements for the degree.

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