Secondary Education

Tomorrow's doctors, lawmakers, novelists, entrepreneurs and educators are in today's classrooms.

Junior high school science labs are stepping stones to world-class research institutions. Gallery exhibitions contain works by artists who showed their first pieces in high school art shows. At Emmanuel, students of education will explore a variety of learning styles and instructional methods to meet the needs of all students. Ignite the spark. Be the teacher that inspires each student to fulfill his or her greatest potential.



Major Requirements

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Students interested in Secondary Teacher Licensure (grades 5-8, 8-12 or 5-12) complete a major in a discipline of study and a second major in secondary education. Subject area majors leading to teacher licensure at the secondary level are: art, biology, chemistry, English literature, history, mathematics and Spanish.

Four-Year Sequence for Secondary Education

First Year

  • EDUC1111 The Great American Experiment (SA) (SS) (SJ)
  • PSYCH2403 Adolescent Development (SA) (SS)

Second Year

  • EDUC2311 Learning, Teaching and the Secondary Curriculum
  • EDUC2312 Teaching All Students, Grades 5-12*

Third Year

  • EDUC3311 Managing the Classroom Learning Environment*
  • EDUC3300 Sheltered English Instruction: Teaching English Language Learners**

English Majors:

  • EDUC3318 English Language Arts Instructional Methods Grades 5-12

History Majors:

  • EDUC3315 Social Studies Methods: Grades 3-12

Mathematics Majors:

  • EDUC3313 Mathematics for Middle School/High School

Modern Language Majors:

  • EDUC4178 Modern Language Curriculum

Science Majors:

  • EDUC3314 Explorations in Science & Engineering: Grades 5-12

Fourth Year

  • EDUC4467 Student Teaching Practicum
  • EDUC4468 Student Teaching Capstone Seminar

* Includes pre-practicum field-based experience
** May enroll junior year

Learning Goals & Outcomes

The program of study in elementary and secondary education is designed to develop students' abilities in the seven performance areas required for initial licensure in elementary and secondary teaching in the state of Massachusetts. Upon completion of the elementary or secondary education programs at Emmanuel, students will be able to:

  • Create safe and well-managed learning environments which promote equity and collaboration among heterogeneous learners and nurture development across the cognitive, emotional and social domains.
  • Plan learning experiences which involve learners as sense-makers and promote deep understanding of disciplinary ideas by engaging learners in active exploration of real-world problems, materials, and challenges, and examining student work products to make assessments of learning and teaching.
  • Utilize a broad range of instructional practices, reflective of the ways of knowing in the disciplines they teach, to ensure that all learners regardless of differences in readiness, background, learning style, culture, or language competency have opportunities to learn through access to a rich curriculum.
  • Forge positive relationships with families and engage in regular, two-way, culturally proficient communication with families about students and their learning, and build into the curriculum materials the richness of the cultures and heritage of the students they teach.
  • Develop curricula which deepens learners' appreciation for American civic culture, its underlying ideals, founding principles and political institutions and which actualizes learners' capacities to participate and lead in their communities, both locally and globally.
  • Advance issues of social justice within the classroom, school and community.
  • Contribute to the knowledge base about learning, teaching and assessment and participate in a culture of reflective practice and inquiry.

Explore Emmanuel

Research Spotlight: Powerful Partnerships

In collaboration with Emmanuel graduate, Kierstin Giunco ’17, Associated Professor of Education Christine Leighton and current student Kayla Balthazar '20 are working with local elementary students to deepen reading engagement and comprehension.

Learn More
Kai Uehara '20: Social Justice Scholar

Kai has always had the inclination to try to make any situation better. When he was searching for colleges, Emmanuel's social justice mission resounded deeply with his ideals of supporting those who need the help.

Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Student-Teaching in Greater Boston

Emmanuel College education majors have the opportunity to engage in student-teaching practicums at nearly three dozen schools in the greater Boston area.

Learn More

Let's Get Started.

Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.