Bachelor of Science in Education Degree with a Major in Secondary Education

Selected Educational Outcomes

  1. Students in initial teacher education programs demonstrate knowledge of the content that they plan to teach and can explain important principles and concepts delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards.
  2. Students in initial teacher education programs apply content-specific pedagogy to the subject area content and demonstrate a broad knowledge of instructional strategies that draws upon content and pedagogical knowledge and skills delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards to help all students learn.
  3. Students in initial teacher education programs analyze educational research findings and incorporate new information into their practice.
  4. Students in initial teacher education programs assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.

The departmental faculty members assess the desired learner outcomes for this program by using a variety of techniques. Examples of summative assessments in addition to course evaluations include the following:

Examples of Outcome Assessments

  1. Students in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate content knowledge through passing the state-required content assessment.
  2. Students in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of evidence-based strategies through development of lesson plans identifying use of research-validated procedures and effective content pedagogy.
  3. Students in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology, and monitoring and modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and P-12 mentor teacher.
  4. Students in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate their ability to positively impact P-12 learning through the completion of a capstone applied research project..

The Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education is for students interested in teaching grades 6-12. Students choose from one of the following content concentration areas: English, history, political science, biology, chemistry, or physics. In collaboration with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, two double major tracks are also available: the Bachelor of Arts in English / Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education--English; and the Bachelor of Arts in History / Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education--History. Students successfully completing these tracks earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree upon graduation.

Through meaningful coursework and extensive and relevant clinical experiences in middle and high school classrooms, students become experts in their disciplines while also developing the teaching skills needed to be an effective educator in today's classrooms. Students learn how to manage a classroom, meet state content standards, analyze data from assessments to inform instruction, teach using a variety of instructional methods, differentiate instruction for individual students, and use technology as a tool to transform teaching and learning. A student who successfully completes all program requirements and passes all state certification assessments will be eligible for initial certification in the appropriate secondary education field (grades 6-12) in Georgia. 

Program Grade / GPA Requirements

Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better in all Area F, content concentration, and professional courses; earn an adjusted GPA of 3.0 or higher across Area F, content concentration, and professional courses; and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher. Foreign language courses will not be included in the adjusted GPA requirement.

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / English: 
Double Major with the Bachelor of Arts in English Track

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
To complete the dual degrees in 126 hours, students must take one foreign language course (1001 or 1002) in Humanities (see note below)
Field of Study Requirements (see note below)
ENGL 2060Introduction to Literature3
ENGL 2080Grammar and Style3
Second Course in Foreign Language3
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Senior College Curriculum 66
Program Requirements for the BA in English (Content Concentration Courses)30
ENGL 3000Advanced Descriptive English Grammar3
ENGL 3060Introduction to Criticism and Theory3
ENGL 3110British Literature I3
ENGL 3120British Literature II3
or ENGL 3125 Global Anglophone Literature
ENGL 3210American Literature I3
ENGL 3215American Literature II3
or ENGL 3235 Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States
ENGL 3400Introduction to Creative Writing3
ENGL 4640Studies in Composition Theory3
Select two of the following Diversity courses:6
Global Anglophone Literature (if not counted above)
Studies in African American Literature
Special Topics in African American Literature
Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States (if not counted above)
Studies in African Literature
Studies in Women and Literature
Topics in Diversity (may be taken a second time when offered under a different subtitle and content)
Disabilities Literature
Queer Literature
Studies in British Literature since 1968
Program Requirements for the BSEd in Secondary Education (Professional Courses)36
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4400English/Language Arts Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree126

Notes:

  • The English Education Track is for students who are pursuing the double major with Education. The English Education Track can be earned in 126 hours as long as participants take their first foreign language course in the Humanities area of the Core and take ENGL 2060 and ENGL 2080 in the Field of Study area; otherwise, attaining the double major will require more than 126 hours.
  • Any English Education Track student who cannot gain acceptance into the education program or maintain program enrollment (because of low GACE scores or low GPA, for example) must switch to the English Track--B.A. Only, with its requirements of 9 hours in a single foreign language and 36 hours of ENGL courses at the 3xxx/4xxx level. 
  • To complete both majors successfully, students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better in all Field of Study area courses, content concentration, and professional courses; earn an adjusted GPA of 3.0 or higher across all EDUC courses, upper division (3000-4000) ENGL/LING courses, and professional courses; and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher. Foreign language courses will not be included in the adjusted GPA requirement.

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / History:
Double Major with a Bachelor of Arts in History Track

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
To complete the dual degree in 126 hours, student must take 1st foreign language course in the Humanities area as well as HIST 1011 and HIST 1012 in the Citizenship area (see note below)
Field of Study Requirements (see note below)18
HIST 1013History of Civilization III3
HIST 2111United States History to 18653
or HIST 2112 United States History since 1865
Second Course in Foreign Language 3
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Senior College Curriculum66
Program Requirements for the BA in History (Content Concentration Courses)30
HIST 3000Study of History3
European History Course3
History of Georgia (HIST 4210 or 4212)3
World History Courses (beyond solely US or European)6
US History Course from the Colonial Era to WWII3
Modern US History Course (HIST 4204, HIST 4205, HIST 4206, or HIST 4208)3
Other HIST 3xxx/4xxx Courses9
Program Requirements for the BSEd in Secondary Education (Professional Courses)36
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4300Social Studies Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree126

Note:

  • The History Education Track is for students who are pursuing the double major with Education. The History Education Track can be earned in 126 hours as long as participants take their first foreign language course in the Humanities area and take HIST 1011 and HIST 1012 in the Citizenship area; otherwise, attaining the double major will require more than 126 hours as the BA in History requires completion of HIST 1011, 1012, 1013, 2111, and 2112.
  • Any History Education Track student who cannot gain acceptance into the education program or maintain program enrollment (because of low GACE scores or low GPA, for example) must switch to the History Track--B.A. Only, with its requirements of 9 hours in a single foreign language and 36 hours of HIST courses at the 3xxx/4xxx level, including HIST 4950.
  • To complete both majors successfully, students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better in all Core HIST courses, Field of Study courses, content concentration courses, and professional courses; earn an adjusted GPA of 3.0 or higher across all EDUC courses, upper division HIST courses (3000/4000-level), and professional courses; and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher. Foreign language courses will not be included in the adjusted GPA requirement.

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Secondary Education / Biology

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)
BIOL 1107/1107L, BIOL 1108/1108L, and MATH 1401 must be taken in the STEM area
Field of Study Requirements
BIOL 1xxx/2xxx electives6
MATH 1112Trigonometry3
or MATH 1113 Precalculus
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2000Written and Verbal Communication for Education3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Program Requirements60
Content Concentration Courses21
BIOL 3200Introductory Genetics3
BIOL 3250Ecology and Evolution4
BIOL 4250Human Anatomy4
ISCI 3103Natural History for Middle School Teachers4
BIOL 3xxx/4xxx electives6
Professional Courses39
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4200Science Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree120

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / Chemistry

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
CHEM 1211/1211L, CHEM 1212/1212L, and MATH 2261 must be taken in the STEM area
Field of Study Requirements18
CHEM 1xxx/2xxx elective3
MATH 1112Trigonometry3
or MATH 1113 Precalculus
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2000Written and Verbal Communication for Education3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Program Requirements60
Content Concentration Courses21
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3xxx/4xxx electives13
Professional Courses39
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4200Science Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree120

 The Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / English

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Field of Study Requirements18
ENGL 2060Introduction to Literature3
ENGL 2080Grammar and Style3
ENGL 1xxx/2xxx elective3
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2000Written and Verbal Communication for Education3
SEED 2999Entry to the Education Profession0
Program Requirements60
Content Concentration Courses21
ENGL 3000Advanced Descriptive English Grammar3
ENGL 3060Introduction to Criticism and Theory3
Select one of the following:3
British Literature I
British Literature II
Global Anglophone Literature
Select one of the following:3
American Literature I
American Literature II
Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States
ENGL 4640Studies in Composition Theory3
Select one of the following Diversity courses not already taken above:3
Global Anglophone Literature
Studies in African American Literature
Special Topics in African American Literature
Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States
Studies in African Literature
Studies in Women and Literature
Topics in Diversity
Disabilities Literature
Queer Literature
Language in Society
MGED 3210Literature for Middle Grades Education3
Professional Courses39
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4400English/Language Arts Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree120

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / History

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
HIST 2111 must be taken in the Citizenship area
Field of Study Requirements18
HIST 1xxx/2xxx electives6
HIST 2112United States History since 18653
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2000Written and Verbal Communication for Education3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Program Requirements60
Content Concentration Courses21
HIST 3000Study of History3
HIST 4212Georgia History since 18653
or HIST 4210 History of Georgia
HIST 3xxx/4xxx in European History3
HIST 3xxx/4xxx in World History (beyond solely US or European)6
HIST 3xxx/4xxx in US History from the Colonial Era to WWII3
HIST 3xxx/4xxx in Modern US History (HIST 4204, HIST 4205, HIST 4206, or HIST 4208)3
Professional Courses39
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4300Social Studies Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree120

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / Physics

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Must take MATH 1113 in the Mathematics area; PHYS 2211K, PHYS 2212K, and MATH 2261 in the STEM area
Field of Study Requirements18
MATH 2261Analytic Geometry and Calculus I ("spillover" from Area D)1
MATH 2262Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
MATH 2263Analytic Geometry and Calculus III4
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2000Written and Verbal Communication for Education3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Program Requirements60
Content Concentration Courses21
PHYS 3xxx/4xxx electives21
Professional Courses39
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4200Science Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree120

Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Secondary Education / Political Science

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Field of Study Requirements18
POLS 2101Introduction to Political Science3
POLS 2401Introduction to Global Issues3
SPEC 2000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
EDUC 2120Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity3
EDUC 2130Exploring Learning and Teaching3
EDUC 2000Written and Verbal Communication for Education3
EDUC 2999Teacher Education Requirements0
Program Requirements60
Content Concentration Courses24
POLS 3100Scope and Methods of Political Science3
POLS 3xxx/4xxx electives21
Professional Courses36
SEED 3020Introduction to Standards, Planning, and Assessment2
EDUC 3110Integrating Technology in Education2
MGED 3220Reading and Writing in the Content Areas for Middle Grades3
MGED 3990Development and Education of the Middle Grades Student3
SEED 3991Differentiated Instruction in Secondary Education3
SEED 4000Assessment for Secondary Education3
SEED 4300Social Studies Methods for Secondary Education3
SEED 4610Secondary Education Practicum I2
SEED 4620Secondary Education Practicum II3
SEED 4790Student Teaching in Secondary Education10
SEED 4800Professional Practices Seminar2
Total Hours Required for the Degree120