General Science and Secondary Education

The Secondary Education program at Alabama State University is designed for candidates committed to the scholarly study of education and the pursuit of teaching as a career. This program prepares future educators through a rigorous curriculum that integrates coursework in general education, professional education, and specialized teaching fields.

Upon acceptance into the program, each candidate is assigned an academic advisor in Secondary Education, who will guide them through their academic journey and ensure successful completion of all degree and certification requirements. The advisor in the College of Education collaborates with advisors in the selected teaching fields to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive educational experience. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and eligibility for the Alabama Class “B” Secondary Professional Certificate, with endorsements in the candidate’s designated teaching field(s). Areas of specialization include:

  • Mathematics

  • Biology

  • General Science

  • History

  • Social Studies

  • English Language Arts

  • Chemistry 

 

Candidates engage in coursework that emphasizes subject-area expertise, pedagogical proficiency, instructional technology, classroom management, and culturally responsive teaching. Field-based experiences and clinical practice provide opportunities for direct engagement with students in secondary education settings, ensuring that candidates develop practical skills to meet the diverse needs of learners.

Graduates who successfully complete the program will be fully prepared to teach in grades 6-12 and will meet the academic and professional standards set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Candidates seeking certification outside of Alabama should consult the Certification Officer in the College of Education for guidance on meeting additional state-specific requirements.

Requirements

General Studies (51 hours)

Humanities (18 hours)

Required Courses
ENG 131English Composition I

3

ENG 132English Composition II

3

 

Or

 

ENG 140English Composition Honors

3

ENG 141English Composition Honors

3

 

ENG 209Intro to Literature

3

Or

ENG 210Intro to Literature

3

 

CMS 200Voice and Diction

3

Or

CMS 205Public Speaking

3

Choose two of the following Advisor Approved Electives: (6 hours)
HUM 102Interdisciplinary Humanities

3

HUM 103Humanities Through the African American Experience

3

ART 131Art Appreciation

3

MUS 121Music Appreciation

3

THE 111Intro to Theatre Arts

3

MUS 122Intro to Study of Music

3

PHL 210Logical Reasoning

3

MUS 122: Music majors only

Social Science (12 hours)

PSY 251General Psychology

3

Choose two of the following
HIS 131World History

3

HIS 132World History

3

 

Or

 

HIS 251History of the U.S. I

3

HIS 252History of the U.S. II

3

Choose one of the following Advisor Approved Electives (3 hours)
GEO 206World Geography

3

ANT 113Soc Around the World

3

SOC 110Intro to Sociology

3

ECO 251Prin of Economics I

3

ECO 254Introd to Economics

3

POS 207American Government

3

GEO 206: Required for Students originating at ASU.

Sciences (8 hours)

Required Courses
CHE 141General College Chemistry I (lab included)

4

CHE 142General College Chemistry II (lab included)

4

Mathematics (5 hours)

Required Courses
MAT 137Pre-Calculus Algebra

Note: Student must have prerequisite competencies

Other Prescribed Courses (4 hours)

PED Activity

1

HEA 100Personal Health

2

ORI 100First-Year Experience

1

PED Activity: This is a 100 level 1 hour PED course

Professional Studies (37 hours)

The following courses MAY be taken prior to admissions to TEP

EDU 100Prep for Adm to Tch Educ

1

EDU 300Foundations of Education

3

EDU 321Instr Tech for Educators

3

EDU 400Psychology of Learning

3

SED 170Diverse Students in Incl School

3

Following courses MAY NOT be taken prior to TEP Admission

EDU 301Meas & Eval in Education

3

EDU 485Comm Skills for Educator

3

EDU 486Classroom Mgt Sec Teachr

3

EDU 490Methods of Teaching Sci-Secondary

3

REA 478Reading in Content Areas

3

EDU 482Prof Intern in Sec Sch

12

Teaching Field (52hours)

Must include an academic major of at least 32 semester hours with a minimum of 19 hours at the upper division.

Required Courses

BIO 240General Zoology

4

BIO 241General Botany

4

BIO 305Population Bio & Evol

3

BIO 310Ecology

4

BIO 337Cell Biology

4

BIO 420Molecular Bio & Genetics

4

Advisor Approved 300-400 Biology Electives

4

CHE 141General College Chemistry I (lab included)

4

CHE 142General College Chemistry II (lab included)

4

PHY 206College Physics I

4

PHY 207College Physics II

4

EDU 485Comm Skills for Educator

3

Required Support Courses for Teaching Field (15 hours)

CSC 210Intro to Computer Science

3

MAT 265Calculus & Analy Geom I

4

MAT 266Calculus & Analytic Geom. II

4

PHY 210General Physics I

4