Education - Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)

Students at Saint Joseph’s University who major in English, mathematics, Spanish, Italian, French, classical studies, chemistry, biology, physics or history may add a double major in secondary education. The combination of these programs provides you with the background required to apply for certification as a high school or middle school teacher in your specialty area.

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What Sets Our Program Apart

  • The education major includes courses focused on adolescent development, the social context of schooling, linguistic and cultural diversity, instructional design and learning assessment and accommodating instruction to diverse learning challenges. As a secondary ed major, you will work with a primary advisor in your field of study and learn how to effectively educate students in grades 7 through 12. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work with an advisor from the teacher education department. This allows you to pursue your passion in a particular subject while preparing you to teach after graduation. You will also complete a semester-long student-teaching experience in your final semester.

  • You will have the opportunity to study as a dual major in secondary education and one of the following subject areas leading to certification:

  • Students who successfully complete the program, maintain a GPA of 3.0 and pass the required PRAXIS exam (a knowledge and skills assessment exam required for certification) can apply for Pennsylvania Level 1 teacher certification. This certification is good for six years of teaching before renewal. With level 1 certification in secondary education, teachers can take the content exams for teaching other grade levels, in addition to other content areas. The certification exams for reading specialist, special education or health and physical education require completion of their respective programs.

  • The Office of Student Teaching and Field Experiences coordinates field placement in K-12 schools, as well as full-time, 14-week student-teaching placement.

    Many education courses at Saint Joseph's University involve a field component to prepare you for your student-teaching experience. In these courses, you will spend three hours per week in an elementary school classroom. Field experience requirements increase in responsibility from first observing teachers in their area of study, then assisting with small group work and finally preparing and teaching lesson plans.

    Participating in a field experience in a local Philadelphia school or a lab exposes you to a variety of classroom experiences and teaching styles. Saint Joseph's teacher education and special education departments have strong relationships with local public, charter and private schools and manage this field component for students. These departments emphasize a strong commitment to urban education and a preferential option for low-income families.

  • As an education major, you will have the option to take service-learning classes. These classes combine academics with experience and reflection. Lectures, textbook reading and tests are augmented by service practice with schools and non-profit agencies in the Philadelphia area.

  • The education department has a strong commitment to study abroad. Many of our students have the opportunity to study student education in an international context in such locations as Denmark, Ireland and Spain.

  • You will have the opportunity to participate in the following organizations: 

  • Saint Joseph's offers a variety of graduate options to help undergraduates further develop their skills after graduation to guide and advance their careers, including:

What Can I Do with a Major in Secondary Education?

A major in secondary education from Saint Joseph’s University will prepare you for a successful career teaching grades 7 through 12.

Program Details

  • View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

  • Affordable tuition rates can be found on our tuition and fees website.*

    *Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our tuition & fees page for a detailed breakdown.

Admission Information

  • To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.

    Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student.

  • First-Year Students
    Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admission page.

    Transfer Students
    Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms.

  • 1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.

    2. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.

  • Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University:

    • Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
    • Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above
    • Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit
    • Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
    • The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph's
    • Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
    • Earned credit may be submitted for review based on a timeline of less than or equal to 5 to 10 years between completion of course and enrollment at SJU

    *Visit the transfer page for a detailed breakdown of courses and institutions eligible for transfer.

  • If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:

    • Satisfy general admission requirements
    • Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey

    Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.

  • Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:

    • Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
    • Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
    • Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
    • Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
    • Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
    • Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
    • Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
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