Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 University Bulletin 
    
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2025-2026 University Bulletin

Secondary and K-12 Education - B.A.

Location(s): River Forest Campus

The major in Secondary and K-12 Education prepares students for teaching in grades 9-12 (Secondary) or K-12 (Special Subjects). The applicable grade range is determined by the student’s Arts and Sciences major. This  is a co-requisite major - it must be completed alongside a major in the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences and cannot be completed as a standalone degree.

Eligible Arts and Sciences Majors:

  • Secondary Education (Grades 9-12): Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics
  • K-12 Education (All Grades): Art, Italian, Spanish

See the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences section of this Bulletin for details on these majors.

NOTE: To be eligible for a Professional Educator License from the Illinois State Board of Education, students must complete the Secondary or K-12 Education major and an eligible Arts and Sciences major, followed by Student Teaching and the Student Teaching Seminar.

Major Requirements

The major includes pedagogical and professional coursework, general education competencies, and extensive field experience.

Field Experience

The School of Education requires early field experiences totaling 125 hours, completed across diverse school settings and grade levels. These experiences provide candidates with exposure to a range of teaching styles, student populations (including students with disabilities), and content areas to prepare them for the complexities of classroom teaching.

Courses with Required Field Hours:

Additional Requirements:

  • All professional education coursework must be completed prior to student teaching.
  • All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or above.
  • Courses must follow a pre-specified sequence based on the student’s Arts and Sciences major.
  • Students must consult both their Education and Arts and Sciences advisors early in their academic career to plan appropriately.

Licensure Requirements:

To obtain a Professional Educator License, students must complete:

  • Illinois State Board of Education Content Area Test in their licensure field.
  • EDUC 491  - Student Teaching Seminar: Middle and Secondary
  • EDUC 496  - Student Teaching: Middle and Secondary

Additional Endorsements:

Endorsements are required to teach additional subjects or grade ranges beyond a candidate’s initial licensure. Students may pursue endorsements to expand their teaching eligibility. Students pursuing secondary education licensure are eligible for a Middle Grades Endorsement by passing the appropriate content test in their licensure area. In addition, students may choose to add endorsements in English as a Second Language (ESL), Bilingual Education, or Special Education (LBS1).

Middle Grades Endorsement

Students pursuing secondary licensure can obtain this endorsement by passing the Middle Grades content test in their subject area.

English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Endorsements

Students in Secondary or K-12 licensure programs are well positioned to add these endorsements. Three required courses in the program already apply:

  • EDUC 386   - Diversity, Language, and Culture
  • EDUC 411   - Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL
  • EDUC 416   - Foundations of Language Teaching and Learning

To complete the ESL or Bilingual endorsement, students must take three additional courses, which may be completed as undergraduates or after graduation. For the Bilingual Endorsement, the Test of Language Proficiency is also required.

Special Education (LBS1) Endorsement

Students pursuing licensure complete SEDU 322   and SEDU 356  , both of which count toward the LBS1 endorsement. An additional four courses are required to complete the endorsement.

For guidance on pursuing any endorsement, students should consult their Education advisor or the School of Education licensure officer.