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Secondary Education

Because we seek to prepare teachers who are effective from their first day, Grand View's accredited program has an exceptionally rich set of field experiences that provides students who are seeking certification with the skills and knowledge they need to begin their professional lives.

Students interested in secondary education who are not seeking certification benefit equally from these powerful experiences, as they use our field experiences as a means to understand the applications of theoretical knowledge about learning, teaching, and development that can be applied in a variety of contexts.

Grand View University offers college credit for students who have earned the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy.

Discover Student Success Stories

Vision Statement

Grand View’s Teacher Education Program EMPOWERS teachers, through vibrant learning communities and self-reflection, to be INNOVATIVE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, and RESOURCEFUL LEADERS who are empowered to respond to the dynamic needs of learners for a global society.

Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs

Program Type:

Major

Format:

Full Time, In-Person

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Why Grand View?

Faculty members nurture individual students while holding them accountable on their path to becoming a professional educator.
We are uniquely positioned in Des Moines, Iowa, which allows students to experience urban, suburban and rural classrooms in practicum and student teaching.
Committed to developing teachers who are empowered to meet the diverse needs of today's students.
The Grand View teacher education program is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.
Earn graduate credit: eligible undergrads can dual-enroll in up to six hours of graduate coursework to count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Student Testimonial

Dr. Jaclyn Easter

“Dr. Easter has gone above and beyond for me on too many occasions to mention. She has encouraged me to present with her at a statewide teacher's conference, encouraged me to take multiple education practicum opportunities, and has overall pushed me to be the strong, confident student teacher I am today. She is truly an amazing woman. My Grand View experience simply would not have been nearly as remarkable without her. That is why Dr. Easter is absolutely deserving of the mentor appreciation award.”

- Madison Green

Program Details

Students who are interested in Secondary Education (5-12) must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in a prescribed liberal arts pre-education program and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA before they are formally admitted to the teacher education program of the University.

Secondary Education students must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework required for the major and a minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework required for each endorsement. A grade of B or above must be earned in designated courses (B- or above for ENGL-101), and students must earn a grade of C or above in all other courses required for the major, each endorsement, and prerequisite courses. Students must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in all college work. Any request for a change in the sequence of curriculum for the Teacher Education Program must be submitted to the Education Department chair for consideration by the Education Department faculty. Successful completion of these requirements and all other University graduation requirements will lead to program completion, which is required for recommendation for licensure in most states including Iowa.

Note: All Elementary and Secondary Education majors are required to pursue at least one endorsement.

Course Requirements ( 48 credits plus 30-55 credits for one required content endorsement)

Pre-education Requirements/Pre-requisites for courses in the major: Minimum 3.0 GPA required (12-14 credits toward General Education Core Requirements, 9 credits toward the major, plus 12 credits in content endorsement area)

ENGL 101 or ENGL 220	First Year Composition or Academic English for Multilingual Students II	3 credits or 4 credits
A math course	Must meet GV General Ed Core	3 credits
A science course	Must meet GV General Ed Core	3-4 credits
PSYC 101	General Psychology	3 credits
SPCH 103 or SPCH 126	Making Connections or Speaking of Faith and Meaning	3 credits
EDUC 111	Introduction to Education	3 credits
EDUC 146	Psychology and Development for Educators	3 credits
Take 12 credits in content endorsement area		12 credits

*These courses will not be counted in computing the GPA for the major, unless required for the content major or endorsements sought.

Remaining Common Core Requirements for All Secondary Education Majors (39 credits):

EDUC 243	Instructional Planning & Assessment	3 credits
EDUC 280	Social Issues in Education	3 credits
EDUC 245	Instructional Technologies	2 credits
EDUC 342	Pedagogies of Exceptional Learners	3 credits
EDUC 310	Middle School Methods	3 credits
EDUC 309	Practicum: Secondary	2 credits
EDUC 308	Practicum: Middle School	2 credits
EDUC 341	Secondary Management and High School Methods	3 credits
EDUC 317, 347, 348, 349, 351, 352, or 354	Take ONE of the secondary content area teaching methods courses	2 credits each
EDUC 415	Mental Health First Aid/Trauma-Informed Care	1 credit
EDUC 421	Content Area Reading	3 credits
EDUC 425	Secondary Student Teaching	12 credits

Plus all required coursework for ONE content endorsement area. See the appropriate content endorsement checklist for a listing of all required coursework.

Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)

The purpose of the Grand View Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) is to promote and advocate for bilingual/bicultural/ELL education. BESO provides opportunities for students to network, fellowship, support one another and grow through professional development. BESO also seeks to serve/mentor/recruit future bilingual educators and engage with underrepresented populations in the community. Attending and participating in conferences related to bilingual/bicultural/ELL, enhancing leadership skills and connecting with resources are other main purposes of BESO.

In affiliation with the National Association of Bilingual Educators, BESO is the first such group in Iowa.

Earn a Master's degree in Education in 5 years with Grand View's 4+1 program

Grand View University offers a 4+1 program where you can earn a Master of Education in just five years. Program participants begin taking graduate level courses while still working on their undergraduate degree. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, 4+1 program participants will complete the remaining courses within a year - each course running eight weeks. Participants are encouraged to begin teaching during this time.

4+1 Program Timeline

Freshman & Sophomore year	Take undergraduate classes as normal (Now is a great time to begin talking with your academic advisor about your interest in the 4+1)
Junior year	Apply to 4+1 program
Junior year	Begin taking graduate courses alongside undergraduate classes
End of senior year	Graduate with bachelor's degree
End of senior year	Begin regular teaching job
First year of teaching	Complete remaining courses, obtain master's degree

Application Requirements

Must be at junior status before applying and must apply no later than the semester before you expect to graduate with your undergraduate degree.
A Grand View cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a 3.5 cumulative GPA in your education courses is required
Request 3 letters of recommendation: 2 should be from education faculty and 1 can be someone of your choosing. You will request these when you complete the graduate application.
Complete the “Assessment of Dispositional Professional Qualities” with the Education Department
You must demonstrate proficiency in writing through submission of an essay and/or score on a standardized writing exam (such as the CBASE). If you take the CBASE exam you must earn a score of four or higher.
You must be a member in good standing of the Education Program and not on a plan for improvement.

Applicants who do not meet all four of the requirements may still be considered for admission to the program on a case-by-case basis. In these instances, the applicant will be interviewed by the department’s Admission Committee.

Students who are considering this program need to plan carefully as the program requires students to take full loads and perhaps courses in the summer. They are encouraged to begin working with an Education Department advisor as early as possible.

NET PRICE CALCULATOR

Get an early estimate of your financial aid and costs by entering some basic information. The more accurate your inputs, the more reliable your estimate will be. Keep in mind that these figures are approximations. Your actual financial aid package will be determined based on the details provided in your FAFSA.

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Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

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ACCREDITATION & LICENSURE

Grand View’s baccalaureate teacher preparation programs are accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. The Bachelor of Arts degree majors in Elementary and Secondary Education were approved in 1985, and first accredited by the Iowa Department of Education in 1987. In May, 2011, the state again approved all programs, including elementary, secondary, art, music and physical education. The Teacher Education Program maintains membership in the Iowa Association of College for Teacher Education and the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education.

Graduates of the Education majors are required by the State of Iowa to pass two national PRAXIS II exams, one on Principals of Learning and Teaching and one on content knowledge. Of the 58 graduating Education majors for the 2014-15 academic year, 88% passed the Principles of Learning and Teaching test, and 90% passed the Content Knowledge test for their teaching area.

IS SECONDARY EDUCATION RIGHT FOR ME?

Teachers continue to be important role models and support mechanisms in the lives of their students. They facilitate students' educational needs as well as act as mentors, guides, helpers, and advocates.

The Secondary Education major is designed to help students prepare to become middle- and high-school teachers. It also helps support their understanding of teaching and student learning in grades 7-12. Students are trained for initial (level I) teacher certification in a specific content field.