Secondary Education
Secondary education students find their passion in a certifiable teaching subject with their desire to become a licensed educator in grades 5-12. Passionate about history? Then choose history as your major and add on secondary education to become a history teacher, mentor, and expert!

A secondary education student is prepared to teach in a concentrated area of study based on their chosen major. BVU students gain in-depth knowledge in their area of expertise, an understanding of how learning occurs, and practical teaching skills, all while preparing to teach in a variety of job markets - urban, rural, Midwest and international. Many opportunities to work and volunteer within the Storm Lake community exist including after school programs and time spent at Faith, Hope and Charity for children with special needs.
Secondary education students may choose to major in one of the following:
- Studio Art
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication studies
- English
- English language arts
- History
- Mathematics
- Music K-8
- Music- Vocal and Instrumental
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Political science
- Psychology
- Science
- Secondary English & Reading Endorsement
- Social Science
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Theatre
TALK TO US
BVU produces students that hold leadership positions within schools and other organizations. Our alum have risen to positions such as guidance counselors, academic coaches, principals, superintendents, and more.
Consider building your own combination of endorsements. Want to teach history, government, and psychology? How about English, speech, and journalism? BVU will work with you to build a plan with your goals in mind.
No matter what discipline you are passionate about, whether art, chemistry, or Spanish, BVU ensures students have the tools principals require. Your resume will be moved to the top of the pile!
Opportunities Abroad
From Storm Lake to Korea
Many BVU students traveled the world each January Interim —a three-week program that gives students the opportunity to take travel courses, enroll in unique classes on campus, and participate in internships. Secondary education students often further explore their academic interests and broaden their cultural and global perspectives by working with children around the world. Some students have even taught English in South Korea!
“Traveling to Korea helped me fully understand what it was like to plan independently and to balance out the time requirements in the classroom. At all of my interviews, I was asked about this experience, and I fully believe it is part of the reason I was hired. It is an experience I brag about and would never give up.”

Top of the Line
The Best Technology, the Best Teachers
BVU is a leader in education graduates, and it’s for a reason. Our classrooms boast SMART Boards, 3D printers, and wireless monitors for group work, providing opportunities for collaborating with students near and far. BVU students are trained with the best equipment to run their own classrooms with confidence. “We have state of the art tools here and students’ imagination drives their inquiry.”
Internships
- Storm Lake Public Schools
- Ankeny Public Schools
- Sioux Central Community School District
Careers
- Boone Community Schools
- Spirit Lake Community Schools
- Council Bluffs Community Schools
Graduate School
- University of Northern Iowa
- Southwest Minnesota State
- Northwest Missouri State
Education Courses
(41-42 credit hours)
-
EDCO
241
Human Development: Adolescents
-
EDCO
246
Learning and Motivation: Adolescents
-
EDCO
255
Professional Seminar I and Field Experience: Learning and Motivation
-
EDCO
280
History of American Education
-
EDCO
290/291
Professional Seminar II and Field Experience: Human Relations
-
EDCO
301
Introduction to Exceptional Learners
-
EDCO
303
Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
-
EDCO
390
Instructional Technology and Innovative Teaching
-
SEDU
310
Curriculum Design I: Standards, Assessment and Instruction for Engaged Learning
-
SEDU
365
Methods of Reading in the Content Areas
-
SEDU
410
Curriculum Design II: Conceptual Unit Design**
-
SEDU
411
Methods of Teaching Secondary English Language Arts and Field Experience
-
TEAC
415
Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Secondary English/Language Arts (5-8)
-
TEAC
425
Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Secondary English/Language Arts (9-12)
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint I in order to enroll in EDCO 290/291, EDCO 303, EDCO 390, SEDU 310 and SEDU 365.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in SEDU 410 and SEDU 411.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint III in order to enroll in student teaching.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint I in order to enroll in EDCO 290/291, EDCO 303, EDCO 390, SEDU 310 and SEDU 365.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in SEDU 410 and SEDU 411.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint III in order to enroll in student teaching.
Track 1: Secondary English and Reading Endorsement Disciplinary Courses
(49 credit hours)
-
ENGL
220
Introduction to Literature
-
ENGL
250
American Literature
-
ENGL
260
British Literature
-
ENGL
276
World Literature
-
ENGL
300
Advanced Composition
-
ENGL
320
Creative Writing
-
ENGL
331
Introduction to Linguistics
-
ENGL
332
Modern English Grammar
-
Elective course in literature (300 or 400 level)
-
EDUC
317
Foundations of Literacy
-
EDUC
371
Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
-
SEDU
333
Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
-
SEDU
335
Development of Oral Communications
-
SEDU
342
Methods of Written Communications
-
SEDU
380
Language Development and Methods
-
SEDU
454
Reading Strategies and Instructional Methods
-
SEDU
455
Literacy Field Experience
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint I in order to enroll in EDUC 371, SEDU 335. SEDU 342 and SEDU 380.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in SEDU 454 and SEDU 455.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint I in order to enroll in EDUC 371, SEDU 335. SEDU 342 and SEDU 380.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in SEDU 454 and SEDU 455.
Other Support Work for Track 1
As the Intellectual Explorations and Intellectual Foundations of the university are met, the following must be selected for support work.
-
3 credit hours of biological science
-
3 credit hours of physical science
-
COMM
100
Fundamentals of Communication
-
PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government or PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics or PSPA 320 State and Local Politics or U.S. History Course
As the Intellectual Explorations and Intellectual Foundations of the university are met, the following must be selected for support work.
Track 2: English Language Art All Disciplinary Courses
-
COMM 227 Public Communication or COMM 300 Argumentation
-
Three hours from the following: DIGI 101 Media Studio: Photo; DIGI 102: Media Studio: Video; DIGI 103 Media Studio: Audio; DIGI 104 Media Studio Web; DIGI 105 Media Studio: Writing for Digital Journalism; DIGI 106 Media Studio: Information Gathering
-
DIGI
210
Media and Society
-
DIGI
300
Legal and Ethical Perspectives
-
EDUC
317
Foundations of Literacy
-
ENGL
220
Introduction to Literature
-
ENGL
250
American Literature
-
ENGL
260
British Literature
-
ENGL
276
World Literature
-
ENGL 300 Advanced Composition or ENGL 320 Creative Writing
-
ENGL
331
Introduction to Linguistics
-
ENGL
332
Modern English Grammar
-
THME
220 Fundamentals of Acting or THME 300 Fundamentals of Directing
-
THME
242
Theatre Practicum: Cast or Crew
-
SEDU
333
Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
-
SEDU
454
Reading Strategies and Instructional Methods
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in SEDU 454.
A student must have passed through Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in SEDU 454.
Other Support Work for Track 2
As the Intellectual Explorations and Intellectual Foundations of the university are met, the following must be selected for support work.
-
COMM
100
Fundamentals of Communication
-
3 credit hours of biological science
-
3 credit hours of physical science
-
PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government or PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics or PSPA 320 State and Local Politics or U.S. History Course
As the Intellectual Explorations and Intellectual Foundations of the university are met, the following must be selected for support work.
Education Courses
(41-42 credit hours)
-
EDCO
241
Human Development: Adolescents
-
EDCO
246
Learning and Motivation: Adolescents
-
EDCO
255
Professional Seminar I and Field Experience: Learning and Motivation
-
EDCO
280
History of American Education
-
EDCO
290/291
Professional Seminar II and Field Experience: Human Relations
-
EDCO
301
Introduction to Exceptional Learners
-
EDCO
303
Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
-
SEDU
310
Curriculum Design I: Standards, Assessment and Instruction for Engaged Learning
-
SEDU
365
Methods of Reading in the Content Areas
-
STEM
432
STEM Principles II: Secondary STEM Methods
-
TEAC
411
Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Secondary Science(5-8)
-
TEAC
421
Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Secondary Science (9-12)
A student must have passed through the Teacher Education Program Checkpoint I in order to enroll in EDCO 303, EDCO 390, SEDU 310 and SEDU 365.
A student must have passed through the Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in EDCO 290/291, SEDU 410 and STEM 432.
A student must have passed through the Teacher Education Program Checkpoint III in order to enroll in student teaching.
A student must have passed through the Teacher Education Program Checkpoint I in order to enroll in EDCO 303, EDCO 390, SEDU 310 and SEDU 365.
A student must have passed through the Teacher Education Program Checkpoint II in order to enroll in EDCO 290/291, SEDU 410 and STEM 432.
A student must have passed through the Teacher Education Program Checkpoint III in order to enroll in student teaching.
Science Disciplinary Courses
(52 credit hours)
Biology
-
BIOL
163
Biological Principles I
-
BIOL
164
Biological Principles II
-
At least three credits of BIOL courses numbered between 201-449 (excluding 300-304 and 400)
Chemistry
-
CHEM
151
General Chemistry I
-
CHEM
152
General Chemistry II
-
CHEM
261
Organic Chemistry I
Earth/Space Science
-
ENVS
110
Physical Geology
-
GENS
115
Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate
-
PHYS
110
Introduction to Astronomy
Mathematics
-
MATH
160
Calculus I: Elementary Applied Calculus
-
MATH
161
Calculus II: Theory and Applications
Physics
-
PHYS
211
General Physics I
-
PHYS
212
General Physics II: Calculus-Based
-
One course from the following: PHYS 310 Classical Mechanics; PHYS 360 Mathematical Physics; PHYS 370 Quantum Mechanics; or PHYS 380 Theoretical Electricity and Magnetism
Other Support Work
-
COMM
100
Fundamentals of Communication
-
PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government or PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics or PSPA 320 State and Local Politics or U.S. History Course
Secondary Education Faculty
