City College: Navigating the Secondary Education Minor Requirements
For individuals passionate about shaping young minds and pursuing a career in secondary education, City College offers a minor program designed to provide a pathway toward teacher certification. This article delves into the requirements, options, and opportunities associated with the Secondary Education minor at City College, drawing upon available information to provide a comprehensive overview.
Preparing Future Educators
The Secondary Education minor is structured to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as educators in secondary schools (grades 9-12). The program emphasizes not only subject matter expertise but also the process of science, research on how students learn, and effective teaching methods. City College has a strong history of supporting both pre-service and in-service teachers.
Admission Criteria and Timing
Students wishing to minor in Secondary Education must be approved for admission to the minor by meeting statewide teacher education program admission requirements. Admission should occur no later then the spring junior year and as early as the second semester sophomore year.
The criteria for admission include:
- 45 earned credit hours
- A GPA of 2.7 or above
- A major in a subject area for which there is teacher licensure (English, math, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, physics, history, environmental studies, political science, and geography)
- A grade of C or above in MDSK 2100
- Passing scores on the SAT, ACT, or Praxis Core tests
MDSK 2100 (Foundations of Education in Secondary Schools) should be taken prior to declaring the minor and must be completed with a grade of C or above for the student to qualify for admission to the Teacher Education Program in the selected field of secondary education. Other admission requirements include an overall GPA of at least 2.7 and passing scores on the Praxis Core examinations (or acceptable SAT or ACT scores).
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Program Structure and Coursework
The minor in Secondary Education typically involves a sequence of courses designed to be coordinated with coursework in the student's major. The undergraduate minor in Secondary Education qualifies graduates for an entry-level (Standard Professional I) license to teach in one of the following subject areas in grades 9-12: English, mathematics, comprehensive science, biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, and comprehensive social studies. Students major in an appropriate arts and sciences discipline and minor in secondary education through completion of a four-semester sequence of courses, which includes a year-long internship incorporating the student teaching semester. Academic majors relevant to secondary education include English, geography, history, mathematics, biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, and physics.
Options for Mathematics and Science Teacher Aspirants
City College offers specific options within the Secondary Education program tailored for students interested in mathematics or science education:
- Option A (18 credits): For students intending to join the Mathematics Teacher 7-12, M.A.
- Option B (15-18 credits): For students intending to join the Science Teacher, 7-12 M.A.T.
Students pursuing these options must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher in both their major subject area and courses in Secondary Education. A general GPA requirement also exists: Students must have a GPA of 2.70 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to take Secondary Education 2001 or 2002.
Fingerprint Verification Requirement
All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not.
The City College Advantage in Physics Teacher Education
The City College of New York has received recognition for its strong physics teacher education program. City College offers multiple routes to Teacher Certification in Secondary Physics. Undergraduate Physics majors can complete a minor in Science Education. Those with a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in physics can complete a Masters Degree in Science Education, which simultaneously fulfills certification requirements. Those with an advanced degree in Physics can complete a certification only graduate program. In addition, Middle School Science Teacher candidates can pursue certification at City College, where there is support for understanding a cross section of science content knowledge, including physics / physical science.
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Student Teaching and Licensure
Student teaching is required the last semester upon completing all major and minor coursework. With the assistance of their major advisor in Arts and Sciences, students intending to seek a teaching license in an area of secondary education (grades 9-12) apply to the Teacher Education Program through the Office of Teacher Education, Advising, and Licensure (TEAL) in the College of Education. Interested students are encouraged to visit TEAL at any time before applying to teacher education. Upon admission to the Teacher Education Program, which typically occurs at the end of the Sophomore year or beginning of the Junior year, students are assigned a secondary education advisor in the Advising Center of the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education.
Additional Considerations and Resources
- Advising: Advising and admission to the minor are administered through the Office of Teacher Education, Advising, and Licensure (TEAL) in the College of Education. After admission to the minor, advising is offered through the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education in collaboration with advising in the student’s major department.
- Program Sheets: Students can download program sheets for both the standard Secondary Education program and the Macaulay Honors College Secondary Education program.
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