Develop Skills Essential for Changing Students' Lives as a Teacher
Choose a subject area for teacher certification to teach at the middle or high school level (Grades 7-12) to be certified in the following areas: Chemistry, English Language Arts and Reading, History, Life Science, or Mathematics. Candidates major in chosen content and add the minor in Teacher Education.
You’ll learn best practices in courses that engage your head and your heart, understand how to incorporate the latest educational technology, and prepare to work in culturally diverse schools with students who have a range of needs. You’ll learn from professors who have years of classroom experience and are invested in your success.
And you’ll get into the classroom long before you start your student teaching. With service learning and teaching experiences that gradually give you more and more responsibility, you’ll be prepared when it’s your time to lead.
Program Roadmaps
Explore your options and determine the correct order of classes to take, when to officially apply to the program, and how long it takes. Create a plan with your advisor and success coach to get started on your pathway today!
What do our graduates do?
Our graduates go on to win district and school accolades, run their departments, move to specialty positions in district, and successfully teach in a variety of settings in Texas and beyond. Here’s a sample.
- Principal at Akins High School in Austin.
- High-school English teacher in the Austin Independent School District
- Art educator at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin
- Department chair of Algebra 1 at Skyline High School in the Dallas area
- Education program instructor at Walt Disney World
- Mathematics curriculum writer for major textbook company
- AVID coordinator and success coach at Travis High School
- Eco-Wellness Teacher at Austin Discovery School in Austin
How do our graduates perform?
Graduates from our program also shine once in the classroom.
- 16 recent teacher education graduates earned the Teacher of Promise Award at their school site and were chosen out of all new teachers for their early leadership and growth as professionals
- 10 outstanding graduates won the coveted Teacher of the Year Award at their school, selected from all faculty across the school site as the most dedicated and excellent teacher
- 3 exemplary teacher education graduates have been honored with the penultimate District-wide Teacher of the Year Award, chosen from among all teachers in an entire school district
1. Middle and High School Certification (7–12)
The 7-12 teaching certification prepares you to teach at the Middle School (7-8) or High School Level (grades 7-12. These degree programs are designed to provide strong content area preparation with pedagogical training and real field experiences in active schools. Secondary school teachers play an instrumental role in shaping students' lives as they mature and consider options for after graduation. This program prepares prospective teachers to educate and guide students toward college and other endeavors as they prepare to navigate "the real world."
2. Education Studies
The Education Studies pathway provides you with the tools needed to teach in alternative settings to a standard classroom, or work in an education-related field. You'll complete authentic internships, study learning theories, explore the uses of innovative technologies and practice new skills in the field.
Education Studies will help students learn:
- Critical-thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Organizational and analytical data gathering
- A deep understanding of social issues within the education field
- Leadership and decision-making abilities
- Problem-solving abilities
- Strategic thinking and action planning
- Teamwork and management skills
- Ability to explain complex concepts in a professional setting
- Effectively debate and present theories
In addition to hands-on learning in the classroom, students have the opportunity to customize their experience and specialties with co-curricular activities.
Education enrichment opportunities allow you to:
- Engage in classroom-based learning experiences
- Design assessment, planning, and instructional strategies
- Explore a wide range of classroom settings
- Work with children with a range of moderate learning and behavioral challenges
Service Learning
In the majority of our courses, students are asked to complete five to twenty hours of service learning in public, charter, private, or parochial school classrooms as directed by course instructors.
Clinical Field-Based Experiences
Educational immersion is a hallmark of the Teacher Education curriculum at St. Edward's University. Field-based courses give you hands-on experience in community classrooms, exposing you to an environment in which you'll eventually teach. As a result, you will enter the classroom with realistic expectations and sound methods of behavior management and teaching pedagogy.
The upper division field-based course program enables you to build strong relationships with mentor teachers and creates a pipeline for you to find work after graduation. Our students are highly sought after and top-of-mind candidates at partnering schools. Students have received job-offers even before their student teaching requirements have been completed.
Student Teaching
Prior to becoming student teachers, you will complete 80 to 120 hours of teaching experience in one-on-one, small-group and whole-class settings. This helps you implement theories of curriculum and pedagogy taught in professional development courses. It's also a chance to apply critical thinking skills associated with content courses in your major.
St. Edward's Educators Student Organization
The objective of SEE is to provide professional development for preservice teachers in the form of presentations on critical issues in education as well as opportunities to volunteer in a community school. Members will be required to participate in at least three organized events across the academic semester.