Secondary Education Minor

Program Director: Loren Jones, Ph.D.

The minor in Secondary Education provides opportunities for undergraduate subject area majors to enroll in a sequence of education courses that helps them to determine if teaching is a viable career option for them. The 15 credit minor may be taken prior to admission into a teacher preparation program. If an undergraduate student pursuing the minor desires to enter an education track, the candidate may apply for the dual major program to obtain certification as a secondary education classroom teacher through completion of a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) approved program option. Some of the courses undergraduates take to complete the Minor in Secondary Education may also be applicable toward certification options at the post-baccalaureate level offered through TLPL. These individuals should consult with an advisor in Student Services to identify the most appropriate option leading to teacher certification and to review the specific admission requirements associated with these programs.

The secondary education minor includes coursework from Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership. The curriculum provides a foundation in adolescent development and creating a classroom community with diverse learners along with an introductory methods course in one of the core secondary areas: Art, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages. 

Course Title Credits
EDHD413Adolescent Development (Students in the Terrapin Teacher program can take TLPL414.)3
TLPL481Embracing Diversity in the Classroom Community3
Select one of the following foundation courses:3
Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM (Step 1)
and Inquiry Teaching of STEM in Middle School (Students that select this option must take both TLPL101 and TLPL102. )
TLPL286
(Accelerated Introduction to STEM Teaching)
Historical and Philosophical Perspectives on Education
Foundations of Education
Perspectives in Science (This is for students in the Terrapin Teacher program. MATH274 is also an option.)
Select one of the following electives (*Other courses may be approved. Consult with your advisor.)3
Cultural/Identity Studies
Introduction to African American Studies
Black Culture in the United States
Asian American History
Immigration and Ethnicity in the US
American Jewish Experience
Introduction to WGSS: Gender, Power, and Society
Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
Quare/Queer Contentions: Exploration of Sexualities in the Black Community
Issues in Latin American and Caribbean Studies I
Immigration Policy, Immigrant Lives (Special Interest Areas )
Special Interest Areas
Forbidden Books: Censorship of Children's and Young Adult Literature
Inquiry Into Issues in US Public Schooling: Policies, Practice and Promise
Cross-Cultural Communication and Multilingual Learners
Life in Two Languages: Understanding Bilingual Communities and Individuals
Literature for Adolescents
Cognitive and Motivational Literacy Content
Select one of the following secondary education introductory methods:3
Student-Centered Curriculum and Instruction (This option is for students in the Terrapin Teacher program.)
Foundations of Art Education
Teaching and Learning in Secondary Education: English
Methods I: K-12 World Language Methods and Technology
Teaching and Learning Middle School Mathematics
Knowledge, Reasoning, and Learning in Science
Knowledge, Reasoning, and Learning in Secondary Social Studies
Total Credits15

A total of 15 credits is required. All courses presented for the minor must be passed with a grade of "C-" or better. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for enrollment in the secondary education introductory methods courses (TLPL401TLPL445, TLPL420, TLPL451, TLPL470, TLPL413). No more than six of the required credits (or two courses) may be taken at an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park.