Students who wish to teach high school biology normally follow either the BA Biology major or BS Biology major curriculum and select the Secondary Education minor which leads to initial licensure.

Candidates for teacher licensure in Massachusetts must now also take and pass the Massachusetts Teachers Test.

Requirements for Secondary Education Minor:

1. American Government. See Education Dept. listings.

2. Support Course
PSY 252 Adolescent Psychology 3 credits

3. Students in Secondary Education Minor must select BIO 320, General Ecology, as one of their Biology Electives.  They must also select one course in the Geological Sciences.

4. *Education Component (27 Credits)
EDU 252A The Contemporary High School 3 credits
EDU 254A Teaching the Adolescent (Pre-practicum) 3 credits
EDU 256A Responding to Diversity in Contemporary Secondary Schools 3 credits
EDU 260A Reading and Writing Strategies in Secondary Education 3 credits
EDU 337S Secondary School Curriculum
Materials and Methodology in Science (Biology) 3 credits
EDU 496 Practicum in Student Teaching in Secondary
Education (9-12), Biology 12 credits
 

Measurement and Evaluation standard will be met through the Student Teaching Seminars.
 

Students interested in this minor should contact the Coordinator of Secondary Education, Biology, and the Biology Department Chairperson. Selection of this minor is subject to approval by the Education Department Chairperson.
 

Biology teachers are in current critical need. More positions are becoming available, and there are numerous efforts underway to improve the economic picture for teachers.

The Salem State College Teacher of Biology Program is approved by the Massachusetts State Department of Education, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and falls under the Interstate Certification Compact.

* Students planning to pursue the Secondary Education minor should see page 258 in the Education Department section of the catalog for requirements for admission to teacher licensure.