High school often represents some of the most important and formative years of a student’s life. In addition to being introduced to new ideas, new activities, and new friends, high school students undergo many experiences that lead them to adulthood.
And who helps impart wisdom, guidance, and advice through these formative years? Secondary education teachers.
Secondary teachers employ expert teaching practices and knowledge of their students’ learning skills to challenge and push students beyond their preconceived capabilities. But you may be wondering, how does one become a secondary teacher?
Let’s focus on the necessary requirements to obtain your secondary teacher certification, which proves you have what it takes to effectively teach future students.
What is a secondary teacher certification?
A secondary teacher education certificate is a credential teachers earn in order to teach a given subject, at a given education level. The standards and requirements to obtain secondary teacher certifications are determined by each state’s department of education and as such, the process can vary across states.
Unlike a standard teaching certification, a secondary teacher certification focuses on a specific subject area such as English, mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, and more..
The Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE) certifies teachers in a variety of areas, including elementary K-6, middle school (specific to content areas), and secondary school (specific to content areas).
What’s required for secondary teacher certification?
There are many pathways to becoming a secondary teacher. However, in Connecticut, candidates must at minimum hold a bachelor’s degree.
If you are interested in teaching high school and teaching a specific subject area, you should earn your bachelor’s degree in the area you are interested in teaching. For example, someone pursuing a degree in English Literature may be a good candidate to teach high school English or Literature.
In addition, the state of Connecticut requires that you complete a teacher preparation program prior to earning certification and requires all educators to eventually earn their master’s degree as a prerequisite for maintaining secondary teacher certifications.
Thus, candidates looking to teach high school should not only consider a program that offers teacher training and student-teaching internships, but also consider earning a Master’s in Secondary Education degree directly after their undergraduate studies.
After obtaining a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Secondary Education from a regionally accredited college or university—in Connecticut, at least 36 hours must be in special education courses—candidates must successfully complete a certification examination.
This examination ensures that high school teachers will have the necessary knowledge and skills to properly work in a school in their state. Without certification, you might not be able to work in this field, so it is imperative you fulfill the requirements.
What is a Master’s in Secondary Education?
A Master’s in Secondary Education trains candidates to effectively instruct students in grades 7 through 12. It also offers pathways towards certification as a secondary education teacher. At University of Bridgeport, for example, students have the option to pursue certifications in areas like Business, History, English, Mathematics, Music, Science, Remedial Reading, and Language Arts.
Each of these certification pathways helps graduate students develop strong content knowledge in their area of choice while also providing them with the tools they need to be effective educators.
Depending on the area in which candidates choose to specialize, classes may include topics such as:
- Methods and Materials in Language Arts/Mathematics/Social Studies/Science
- Education of the Exceptional Student
- Adolescent Literature
- Topics in Advanced Math
- Psychological Foundations in Education
As part of Secondary Education degree requirements, candidates will also be required to complete experience in the field and a student teaching residency. Students in the master’s degree program will also need to complete classes in the areas of Research and Report Writing, which will prepare them for their thesis.
Why should I earn a Master’s in Secondary Education?
As previously mentioned, many states, including the state of Connecticut, require educators to earn their master’s degree in order to maintain certification.
While it is possible to work as a teacher under the auspices of the Provisional and Initial Educator Certificates for up to eleven years, it is all too easy to lose track of time and hold off on pursuing graduate school.
Additionally, by earning a master’s degree, you’ll open up opportunities for yourself for curriculum development and design, increase salary potential, and administrative responsibility. Though you won’t be able to fill administrative leadership roles until after you’ve earned a doctorate or 092 certificate, an MS in Secondary Education can train you to guide new teachers.
Secondary Education graduate programs typically offer flexible options as many candidates are working teachers. By enrolling on a full-time basis, you can complete it in as few as two years. Though, it’s entirely possible to take classes on a part-time basis depending on your unique needs as a student.
By earning both your master’s degree and your secondary teacher certification, you will ensure you can teach at the high school level and make an invaluable impact on your future students.
And yet, with so many options to pursue your passion, it’s not always clear which way to go. We’ve put together a helpful guide that collects everything you’ll need to know to get started as a teacher in Connecticut. Inside breaks down options to help students choose the path that’s right for them.
What’s inside the guide:
- Educational and exam requirements for becoming a teacher in CT
- Types of certification and how to complete each one
- Choosing the teacher certification or degree program that’s right for you
- How to get into a teacher certification or degree program
Don’t delay your future career or the financial, personal, and professional benefits that come with a secondary teacher certification!