Secondary Education (6-12)

Program Description

A teacher’s influence can last a lifetime. Positively shape the lives of young people with a career in the classroom. Students in grades 6 through 12 need committed educators dedicated to enriching their lives and helping them master the secondary school curriculum. You’ll get a dual degree: one in your content area of expertise — English, math, history/social science, or science— and one in Secondary Education. An internship will give you practical experience in the classroom.

You’ll concentrate your studies in one of four areas:

• English Language Arts
• Mathematics
• History/Social Sciences
• General Science

Secondary Education degrees prepare students to teach at the junior and senior high school levels. To meet the needs of students with busy schedules, the necessary classes are offered on-campus, online and in a hybrid format. Students choose one content area to concentrate in from English and Language Arts, Social Science, General Science and Mathematics. For a full review of the programs in detail, please see our official online catalog AND consult with an academic advisor.

A Secondary Education General Science degree prepares students to teach general science courses in the areas of chemistry, earth and space science, physics, and biology at the middle, junior, and senior high school levels (grades 6-12).

Secondary Education General Science Plan of Study

A Secondary Education General Science degree prepares students to teach general science courses in the areas of chemistry, earth and space science, physics, and biology at the middle, junior, and senior high school levels (grades 6-12).

Secondary Education Social Science Plan of Study

The first transition point in the teacher education program is admission to Professional Education. Each undergraduate candidate preparing to teach and pursuing initial teacher certification must be admitted to Professional Education.

The second transition point in the teacher education program is approval to intern. This practical, pre-service teacher education is vital to the development of the AUM teacher candidate.  Internships are an excellent way for students to hone their skills and talents.

The Praxis Series® tests are taken by individuals entering the teaching profession as part of the certification process required by many states and professional licensing organizations.  Ask us about AUM’s PRAXIS results!

• You’ll have 150 hours of practical teaching experience before graduation. Hands-on field experience is included with each methods course (such as methods of teaching math, etc.). Students go to area schools and work with experienced teachers to practice what they have learned.
• AUMazing Educators society for all Education majors builds a community of support, friendship and camaraderie while you pursue your degree.
• Internationally recognized faculty who have won numerous awards, including an Excellence in Teaching Award from Sigma Alpha Pi (national society of leadership and success), Primary School Teacher of the Year Award (Montgomery Public Schools), WSFA Class Act Award, and Delta Pi Epsilon Outstanding Doctoral Research Award, and College of Education Excellence in Teaching Award.
• All faculty in this program have experience teaching in high schools or junior high schools, which gives students unique access to their experience and expertise.
• Small classes
• Night, online, and hybrid classes that are suitable for non-traditional students.

Note: While salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education and training, and geography and industry, here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries nationally.

Employment of education, training, and library occupations is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028. Nationally, the median annual wage for middle school teachers was $58,600 in May 2018. For high school teachers, it was $60,320. In Alabama, the annual mean wage of all secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, was $51,180.

Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology
Auburn University at Montgomery
Education Building 309
334-244-3537

• Kirby Johnston Farr teaches eighth-grade Social Studies at Auburn Junior High School.
• Rebecca Maushard teaches eighth-grade Language Arts at R.B. Hudson Middle School.