Secondary Education Major
Master the content and teaching methods needed to create compelling learning experiences for middle and high schoolers in today’s classrooms.
School of Education | On-Campus
Program Options
Whether becoming a teacher, furthering your understanding of education, or pursuing your passions through endorsements, you’ll learn to lead positive change in one or more of the following programs.
BSE in Secondary Education
A solid grasp of student learning, curriculum design and assessment, and subject-specific content and methods lays a foundation for classroom excellence and qualifies you for an Iowa teaching license.
Three and Teach
Complete your degree sooner, saving time and money. This accelerated track lets you finish coursework in three years and complete your student teaching assignment in the first semester of your fourth year.
Endorsements
One endorsement is required for the Secondary Education major, and you can take more in areas that interest you. In-demand areas including SPED, literacy, and ESL are available for majors, double majors, and as standalone programs.
Educational Studies Minor
Deepen your knowledge of education, a key area of civil society. Designed for those who don’t aspire to classroom teaching, this program explores the history of the U.S. education system alongside contemporary issues.
International Teaching Minor
Contemplate your craft through a global lens as you prepare for opportunities abroad. The program includes coursework to help you teach effectively cross-culturally plus instructional experience in another country.
International Education Minor
Drake faculty designed this minor for any student who does not plan to be a teacher but is interested in education in international contexts.
Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Minor
Learn skills sought by top employers with the LEAD minor. Open to all Drake undergraduates, the LEAD program combines theory with hands-on experiences to cultivate ethical leadership skills and expand on your vision to support social change.
Social Justice in Urban Education Concentration
Learn to work effectively with diverse learners in urban settings. Leveraging the School of Education’s emphasis on social justice, reflective practice, and collaboration, you’ll develop your capacity to discern and overcome barriers to create innovative learning strategies for all students.
Meet the Faculty
Your professors pair classroom experience with active research interests to give you the latest insights shaped by practical, real-world knowledge.
Kevin Lam, Ph.D.
Professor, Urban & Diversity Education; Director of Social Justice in Urban Education Concentration
Outside the Classroom
How will you support the next generation of students? Secondary Education majors get a sense of the classroom environment and effective methods for guiding all learners in practicum and student teaching assignments, in addition to research and community outreach opportunities.
Classroom Observations and Practicum
During these experiences scheduled throughout the program, you’ll observe multiple instructional settings and undertake a 40-hour practicum in your first year, gaining in-depth exposure at multiple grade levels.
Student Teaching
In your final year, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned in your student teaching experience. Spending 15 weeks leading a 7-12 classroom, you’ll hone your skills under the mentorship of a seasoned teacher.
University and Community Organizations
Enrich your preparation through service. Each year, the School of Education hosts a community partners’ fair, connecting you with paid and volunteer opportunities to work with more than a dozen community partners like Head Start, Save the Children Action Network, and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa.
Undergraduate Research Assistantships
Through a paid assistantship, you’ll collaborate with a faculty member to develop research skills, exploring impactful topics like science pedagogy and literacy instruction to help advance the field.
Student Organizations
Build community and refine your classroom toolkit through groups like the Drake Education Association (DEA) and Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society that recognizes and promotes scholarship and excellence in education.
Scholarships
100 percent of full-time Drake undergraduate students receive financial support. In addition to university-wide aid, the School of Education has multiple scholarships earmarked for education majors to help fund their training.
Careers & Skills
As a trained and licensed teacher, you’ll know how to design effective learning experiences that integrate the latest technologies, draw on insights from human development, and help traditionally marginalized students feel welcome and included. Whether in a classroom, influencing school- or district-wide curricula, or improving company training programs, you’ll be ready to communicate with clarity and lead with confidence.
Examples of Employers
- Cedar Rapids Community School District
- Des Moines Public Schools
- Denver Public Schools
- Kofu, Japan
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- IDEAL School of Manhattan, New York
- Austin, Texas
- Urbandale Community School District
- West Des Moines Community Schools
Skills
- Technology integration
- Curriculum development
- Instructional planning
- Classroom management
- Communication
- Understanding learning theory and student development
Salary & Growth Outlook
The median salary for middle and high school teachers in 2024, with a $50,000 minimum starting salary in Iowa. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Additional Information
Prior to taking any methods courses, students must fulfill requirements to be accepted into Teacher Education. Talk to your advisor about requirements and a timeline.
Teacher Education admission requirements include:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
- All InTASC Standards met at the BEGINNING level
- A completed application
- Two checklist forms or recommendations, at least one from a School of Education faculty member
- Successful background check
To qualify for the Three and Teach Accelerated Track, students need:
- 15 or more AP or college credits
- A 3.5 or above GPA
To complete a program via the Three and Teach Accelerated Track students must fulfill:
- Drake general curriculum requirements
- School of Education (SOE) curriculum requirements
- One or more full endorsement requirements
Next Steps
Find out if you qualify by taking this short survey or if you have questions, reach out to Lindsay Woodward, lindsay.woodward@drake.edu.
Take the Next Step
Go beyond memorize-and-repeat lessons to create learning experiences that transform lives and strengthen communities.
