The List of All U.S. Colleges With a Secondary Education Major

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young people? Do you value the transformative capacities of a good education? If so, consider earning your bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Teaching is a popular profession, but your degree won’t just prepare you to teach in high school: it can open up doors to a wide variety of education-related careers.

Why should you study Secondary Education in college?

Career possibilities

Many, but not all, secondary education majors pursue jobs teaching in high schools. Public schools generally require certification beyond an undergraduate program, although many private schools don’t. If you earn an advanced degree, you can apply your knowledge to teaching at the college level. Some secondary education program graduates also teach at the middle school level.

Your degree can also lead to related jobs such as:

• Tutor
• School social worker or psychologist
• Youth worker
• Child therapist or counselor
• Family support specialist
• Community program manager
• Education specialist

(NB: Some of these professions require a master’s degree or doctorate.)

Breadth of the curriculum

Along with learning about teaching and education, a secondary education program will introduce you to concepts in psychology, communication, technology, and more. You’ll learn about niche areas such as multicultural education and behavioral support, tackling these issues through case studies from the history of education. Our ability to teach and learn so effectively is in large part what makes us unique as a species. While a secondary education major is decidedly practical, the skills you’ll learn have a powerful legacy in the long history of humankind.

Ability to make a difference

Many people choose to major and pursue a career in education because they want to make a difference in their communities. While the path can be challenging, it also has the potential to be a fulfilling one, offering you the opportunity to help young people learn and grow. Educational opportunities are often tied to better socioeconomic outcomes, political engagement, and more. The impact of a good teacher is amplified beyond the classroom and into larger social and political structures.

How can you increase your chances of acceptance into an undergraduate Secondary Education program?

Because high school teachers specialize in particular subjects, you’ll likely focus on your discipline of choice in your secondary education program. You should excel in that subject in high school in order to gain admission into a top college with the major. Whether your focus is history, English, math, a foreign language, or something else, make sure you’re earning high grades and test scores in those subjects and taking plenty of advanced courses in them.

You should also demonstrate your teaching aptitude and ability to work with children through your extracurricular activities. For example, try tutoring younger children and peers in your community. If your school doesn’t have a tutoring program or club, demonstrate your initiative and leadership by starting one. Also, look for mentorship opportunities, working with children at your local library or community center. You might also look into paid or unpaid opportunities at daycare centers. Keep in mind that many of these establishments may require you to be 18 to work or volunteer there, but some may accept younger people.

If you’re looking for assistance with building your profile to gain admission into colleges with secondary education majors, our Early Advising Program can help. Your mentor will advise you on the classes you should take and extracurriculars to pursue, as well as inform you of the grades and test scores you’ll need for your program of choice starting in 9th or 10th grade.

11th graders should start honing their college plans, and through our College Strategy program, we’ll guide you through the process of building an appropriate college list, strengthening your profile, and more. This will help you increase your odds of being accepted into a top college with a secondary education major.

Which colleges have a Secondary Education major?

How we help students improve their chances

Senior year is a busy one, but we can help you reduce some of your stress through our Applications program. We’ll create a college list with schools with secondary education majors that meet your preferences and correlate to your real chances of admission, work with you to develop application themes, assist with your essay writing, and more. Contact us for more information!