Secondary Education Career Map

Awareness

First Year

• Identify your Content Area interest: Choose from Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, or Physics.
• Enroll in General Education requirements, including EH 101/102 and CA 110 (Public Speaking), which are early markers for teacher candidacy.
• Awareness of the GPA standards: You must maintain a minimum 2.50 GPA across three areas: Overall, Teaching Field, and Professional Studies.
• Learn about UTeach South, a specialized pathway for math and science majors to earn teaching certification alongside their STEM degree.

Middle Years

• Apply for Admission to Candidacy in the Teacher Education Program once you have completed 60 semester hours.
• Complete core professional courses such as EPY 351 (Human Growth & Development) and EDM 310 (Microcomputing Systems).
• Awareness of the Praxis Subject Assessment requirements for your specific teaching field; passing scores are necessary for progression.
• Understand the "C" grade rule: No grade below a "C" is acceptable in professional studies coursework.
  

Last Year

• Prepare for the Internship (Student Teaching) by submitting your application to the Office of Field Services (due Feb 15 for Fall or Sept 15 for Spring).
• Complete the Writing (W) requirement through designated courses like EDU 340 (Fundamentals of Teaching) or EDU 341.
• Verify that you have met the residency requirement (at least 25% of the degree at USA) and completed the e-portfolio assessment.
• Awareness of the Class B Certification application process upon successful graduation and internship completion.

Exploration

First Year

• Join the Education Student Organization or content-specific clubs (e.g., Math Club, History Society) to network with peers and faculty.
• Use Involve South to find volunteer opportunities in local 6-12 schools or tutoring programs to confirm your interest in teaching.
• Explore the Secondary Education M.Ed. options to understand how a Master’s degree can lead to Class A Certification and higher pay in the future.

Middle Years

• Engage in EDU 342 (Secondary Field Experience) to observe diverse classroom settings and instruction styles.
• Attend the USA Career Fair specifically for educators to meet with recruiters from local and regional school districts.
• Explore Interdisciplinary Electives such as EDU 400 (Education of Exceptional Child and Youth) to learn about inclusive teaching.

Last Year

• Network with your Mentor Teacher and school administrators during your full-time internship to secure professional references.
• Research Global Teaching Opportunities or specialized schools (Magnet, Private, or Charter) to diversify your career search.
• Connect with the Leadership and Teacher Education faculty to discuss graduate school or the transition into a professional teaching role.

Preparation

First Year

• Set up your Accelerate South profile to find part-time jobs as a tutor or camp counselor, building relevant experience with adolescents.
• Practice Public Speaking and presentation skills in your introductory communication courses.
• Start an Initial Portfolio to collect lesson ideas and reflections from early classroom observations.

Middle Years

• Master Instructional Technology: Deepen your skills in educational software through EDM 310.
• Participate in Mock Interviews and resume workshops at the USA Career Development Center to prepare for student teaching interviews.

Last Year

• Complete your Professional e-Portfolio, showcasing your best lesson plans, student work samples, and reflections.
• Finalize your Resume to highlight your double major, certification eligibility, and specific clinical hours.
• Utilize AI Career Tools provided by USA to tailor your application for specific school districts.