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Secondary Teaching

SESP’s interdisciplinary Secondary Teaching concentration provides an immersive learning experience that will prepare you to be a top Secondary Teaching educator.  With this concentration, you will:

  • Specialize in Secondary Teaching subject areas by taking courses from world-renowned faculty in the biological sciences, chemistry, economics, English, history, mathematics, physics, political science, or Spanish
  • Build a robust pedagogical skillset with courses in child and adolescent development, and secondary education theory and methods
  • Earn an Illinois Professional Educator license and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy.
  • Complete a student teaching internship in your last year

Learn How to Apply

Curriculum—42 units

  • Distribution requirements - 10 units
  • Professional core - 12 units
  • Teaching subject–area requirements - varies
  • Electives - 8 or fewer as needed to complete the 42 - unit degree requirement

Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school. For more information about these requirements, please see the Undergraduate Academic Catalog for Secondary Teaching.

Teacher Licensure Through the Teaching, Learning, and Education Program

Students who want to be licensed as teachers must apply to the SESP Teaching, Learning, and Education Program. This program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Completing the courses alone doesn't not result in licensure, nor is licensure required to earn a SESP degree.  The SESP teaching concentrations advisor will advise on the process and timing of application.

See Application Requirements

After SESP

Graduates at the secondary level are prepared to become self-contained secondary education classroom teachers in grades 5-12. Some students may pursue work in administrative roles in school districts or move into education-related non-classroom jobs.