A separate admissions process must be completed and admission granted before students can enroll in this program.

The secondary education program leads to Minnesota licensure as a teacher in specified liberal arts disciplines.

Objectives—Coursework in secondary education is designed to meet standards of effective practice required for licensure and provide prospective teachers with opportunities to understand central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of disciplines taught in the middle and secondary school; understand adolescent development theory, individual and group motivation and diversity among learners; create instructional opportunities adapted to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds and with exceptionalities; use instructional strategies that reflect personal knowledge of effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques; encourage development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills; understand and use formal and informal methods of student assessment; plan and manage instruction; engage in reflection and self-assessment; and collaborate with parents/guardians, families, school colleagues, and the community in an ethical manner.

To obtain a teaching license, an individual must have a major, a bachelor's degree, and have completed licensure requirements in the area(s) in which licensure is sought. UMM is approved to recommend teaching licensure in the following fields: chemistry (9–12), communication arts and literature (5–12), earth and space science (9–12), French (K–12), general science (5–8), German (K–12), instrumental music (K–12), life science (9–12), mathematics (5–12), physics (9–12), social studies (5–12), Spanish (K–12), visual arts (K–12), and vocal music (K–12).

Coursework required for licensure, in most cases, is not equivalent to a major. Consult an adviser in the discipline to determine major requirements.

Students planning to seek Minnesota teaching licensure at the secondary school level must complete licensure requirements in the discipline(s) of the subject(s) they intend to teach, the secondary teacher education program, and state and federally mandated examinations for new teachers. A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required overall, in licensure area(s), and in education courses. The GPA includes all coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced. All courses required for teaching licensure in secondary education (discipline, professional education, or other courses) must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. Required courses must be taken A-F unless they are offered S-N only.