Potential Careers
- Middle or high school teacher
- Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English Language Arts, Math, Physics, Social Studies/History, Spanish
- Teacher leader
Undergraduate Major with Certification
Secondary Education Major (BA)
Prepare for a fulfilling teaching career through Widener’s undergraduate secondary education (grades 7-12) certification program, where you’ll learn how to teach adolescents while gaining mastery in your chosen subject area.
Not Accepting Applications for Fall 2025
The secondary education bachelor's program is not currently accepting applications. Check out the other programs offered by Widener's College of Arts & Sciences.
At a Glance
Click to OpenOffered as
Major
Format
On Campus
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Secondary Education Major
Teachers have the unique opportunity to directly influence a student's life. By sharing knowledge and experiences with today's students you are playing a big role in fostering the possibility of a better future. As a secondary education teacher, you will not only help them grow their knowledge base but help empower them to tackle challenges with confidence.
At Widener, you’ll learn the ins and outs of being a teacher through the College of Health and Human Services' Center for Education while majoring in your chosen content area in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students have the option to pursue grade 7-12 Pennsylvania teaching certification in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, english, mathematics, physics, and social studies (history), as well as pre-kindergarten to grade 12 certification in Spanish.
Secondary Education Program Options
Students interested in obtaining Pennsylvania secondary education certification requirements would also pursue one of the following majors while completing their education course requirements:
- English
- Mathematics
- History: for social studies certification
- Science Education: for biology, chemistry, Loading..., or physics certification*
- Spanish**
*Students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or physics also have the option to complete the education coursework required to complete certification and should consult with their advisor to develop a plan.
**Spanish teaching certification qualifies students to teach pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
View the Loading... for general curriculum and coursework requirements for the Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certification.
View curriculum requirements for your chosen teacher certification subject area(s):
Eight education courses are required for secondary certification, including appropriate courses in teaching methods for the selected certification area.
In addition, students must adjust his or her subject-matter academic work to meet the requirements for a full-time, 14-week student teaching experience during the senior year. This student teaching experience, open to seniors only, is under the supervision of a professor from the teacher education program and also experienced teachers from local cooperating schools.
Each state/jurisdiction has requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure and/or certification to teach. It is the student’s responsibility to seek appropriate guidance before beginning any academic program. If you intend to seek certification outside of Pennsylvania, the University recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to obtain specific licensure/certification requirements per state and the most up-to-date information.
To view Widener’s licensure eligibility by state/jurisdiction, please visit the Center for Education: Program Licensure page.
Outlook & Outcomes
Why Study Secondary Education at Widener?
Feel Confident in the Classroom with a Firm Foundation
Gain a strong teaching foundation by earning a degree in your chosen content area through the College of Arts & Sciences while you learn how to teach adolescents through your course studies at the Center for Education. Plus, we’ll guide you through the requirements for secondary education certification in your particular subject.
You'll develop field experience gradually throughout your college experience, starting with one-on-one tutoring and small-group instruction and culminating with whole-class instruction through a semester-long student teaching placement. By the time you graduate, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in the classroom.
Expand Your Network Abroad & Engage on Campus
Prepare to be a well-rounded educator with global experience and diverse cultural perspectives. You can seamlessly integrate a study abroad experience during your student teaching semester.
Secondary Education majors also have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations across and outside of campus to expand their network, including the Widener Student Education Association (WSEA), the Secondary Education Affinity Group, and many more
Learn more about studying abroad
View all health & human services clubs & orgs
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
Student Stories
Our Faculty
"My role as a mathematics teacher is to help students make sense of mathematics and develop conceptual understanding. I do this by helping students become actively involved in their learning through solving new and challenging problems rather than passively absorbing information."
"My interests include brain development, literacy development, and applications of technology in research and instruction. My greatest excitement in teaching comes from the way that working with graduate students spills over to my teaching of undergraduates and vice versa."
"My teaching focuses upon cognitive processing and application. In this regard, critical literacy complements the cognitive learning process. Critical literacy is the ability to actively read a text that promotes an understanding of social concepts and human relationships."
"Students become historians by "doing history" – they learn to think critically about the past, to develop research questions and conduct research, . . . and to have fun! History is an endlessly fascinating inquiry into the human past that can yield essential insights into the human present."
"I have authored or co-authored 15 publications in top-tier education journals and am honored to be a highly rated online professor of Widener students."
"Learning to be a teacher requires discipline and hard work. Learning to be great teacher requires passion and a deep dedication to the many and diverse children that we serve."
Recent News
Education Major Explores Italian Heritage and Broadens Horizons through “Voyage of Discovery”
Traveling abroad can be an important part of the student experience. For Gianni DiMatteo ’24, he found academic and personal ties on a trip to Italy.
Widener Prepares Student Teachers to Thrive in a Digital Classroom
When COVID-19 forced the closure of K-12 schools in mid-March, Widener student teachers found themselves embarking on a new partnership with Agora Cyber Charter School.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Financial Aid
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
University Pl
Chester, PA 19013
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Office
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Kapelski Learning Center, Room 209
- (610) 499-4604
- artsandsciences@widener.edu
Patricia A. Newman
Adjunct Professor
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503 E. 13th Street
Chester, PA 19061
Room 113
- (610) 499-4630
- panewman@widener.edu