Content Knowledge/Academic
Secondary teacher candidates major in Secondary Education and double major in a content area (e.g. mathematics, history, English). Secondary teacher candidates complete core (general education) requirements, major content courses, and secondary education courses.
In addition to courses, candidates complete clinical and assessment requirements. Assessment requirements include both internal (NHTCAP) and external (Praxis or equivalent) measures. Candidates must successfully pass Praxis Core Academic Skills Test, Foundations of Reading, and Praxis II (multi-subject tests) or equivalent exams such as MTELs. Refer to the Testing Requirements for Certification Instruction Packet for details of testing requirements and due dates for tests.
Clinical Practice (Field Experiences)
The Teacher Education Programs at Saint Anselm College have adopted a clinical practice model. Teacher education candidates have multiple and diverse clinical placements across settings and grade levels. Candidates will complete a clinical experience in a middle school and a high school. Candidates will also experience a variety of school settings (e.g. urban, suburban, and Catholic schools).
During each clinical experience, students take an active participatory role in an assigned classroom. The clinical placements are embedded in education courses with correlating assigned projects and experiences intended to connect theoretical foundation with practical application. Prior to their Capstone Clinical Experience, students have completed multiple experiences and more than 100 hours in classrooms.
Secondary Education Required Courses
Secondary education majors have two advisors, one in their content major and one in education. Students are required to meet with their academic advisors in their content department to select appropriate courses to meet competencies for their content major. Students also meet with their academic advisor in the education department to develop a plan of study to meet course, clinical, and assessment requirements.
Students majoring in French or Spanish and secondary education are required to successfully complete a study abroad or immersion program for at least one semester (or equivalent summer program) in order to receive a teaching license. The purpose is to develop linguistic competency and cultural appreciation. If this is not a viable option, an immersion experience in the target language is required. Information on study abroad opportunities and/or immersion programs is available in the Study Abroad Office.
During advising meetings, an individualized plan of study will be developed for each student. Refer to the plan of study for the timing of the courses. In addition to core and content requirements, the following secondary education major courses are required:
PY 203 Adolescent Psychology (before ED 322)
- ED 240 - Principles of Teaching and Learning (clinical)
- ED 322 - Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity in Education (clinical)
- ED 340 - Curriculum and Assessment in Teaching
- ED 432 - Supervised Student Teaching (counts at 3 courses) (capstone clinical)
- ED 440-445 Methods of Teaching in content area specific to the major
Chemistry
Students should bear in mind that most chemistry courses have prerequisites. Consequently prospective teachers schedule their calculus and physics courses to be completed by the end of their sophomore year. This action will enable the students to complete the chemistry major and allow for student teaching during the second semester of senior year. In CH 420 the student will plan a research project in chemical education. The project will be implemented in ED 432 . CH 420 - Research and Seminar I carries no credit. ED 432 fulfills the CH 421 requirement for chemistry in the educational track, provided the student fulfills the thesis presentation requirements of CH 421 .
English Language Arts (English Major)
Students are required to take the following:
Classical Languages (Latin)
Students are required to take the following:
Life Sciences (Certified grades 7 - 12)
Students should major in Natural Sciences in the Biology Department. General Biology I - II (BI 103 -BI 104 ) and General Chemistry I-II (CH 130 -CH 131 ) should be completed freshman year in order to fit all required courses for the two majors. Upper level science courses will be chosen in consultation with one’s academic advisor with the goal of completing and strengthening the student’s portfolio.
Mathematics
Students are suggested to take:
Note:
Prospective teachers must also either take a computer-programming course or complete a senior project.
Modern Languages (Spanish and French)
Students are required to successfully complete a study abroad or immersion program for at least one semester (or equivalent summer program) in order to receive a teaching license. The purpose is to develop linguistic competency and cultural appreciation. If this is not a viable option, an immersion experience in the target language is required. Information on study abroad opportunities and/or immersion programs is available in the Study Abroad Office.
Applied Physics
Students are required to meet with the Physics Chairperson to select appropriate courses to meet competencies for Physics and Teacher Education. Students are required to take:
Social Studies (History Major)
To comply with the State’s requirements, prospective social studies teachers must be able to show competence in both history and social studies more broadly (including geography, civics, economics, anthropology and sociology). In order to achieve that breadth, students are encouraged to take the U.S. history survey (HI 250 - HI 251 ), Origins of European Civ (HI 101 ), or World History (HI 105 ). Courses on the relationship of humans and their environment have also been helpful (HI 358 - History of New England , HI 374 - Special Topics: American History ), as has Cities and Social Change (HI 107 ). It has been helpful to students in the past to use their elective options to take an American government course (PO 102 , PO 212 , or PO 219 ), a basic economics course (BU 103 , EC 141 - EC 142 ), or a basic sociology course (SO 101 ). Students should discuss major, core and elective courses with their major advisor to assure that all courses will fulfill requirements.
