Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education | St. Ambrose University Apply Now Secondary Education Degrees Educate the next generation of learners Become a caring educator who makes a mark in the lives of their students through our Secondary Education program. Ignite your passion and potential through field experiences and student teaching. Request information Start a career in education with a BA in Secondary Education A SAU Secondary Education degree prepares you to educate students in grades 5-12. You’ll learn to develop and implement a curriculum and understand how learner differences affect students. Art Teacher Education (K-12) BA in Art Teacher Education English Teacher Education BA in English for Secondary Education History Teacher Education BA in History Teacher Education Music Teacher Education (K-12) Bachelor of Music Education (BME) Spanish Teacher Education BA in Spanish Secondary Education Biology Teacher Education BS in Biology with Secondary Biology Education concentration Secondary Education program overview In our program you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become an effective educator in middle and high school settings. You’ll develop an understanding of key concepts, theories, and methodologies in your discipline, preparing you to teach at the secondary level. You’ll enjoy expansive field experiences in different schools before completing a full semester of student teaching. When you’re done, you’ll not only possess the knowledge to pass your licensure exam, you'll also be ready to lead a classroom of students confidently. 100% of responding Secondary Education graduates are working in the field 95% of students feel the requirements for their major are clear and reasonable Potential career paths for secondary education At SAU, your career path is up to you. Choose the endorsement that fits your goals, and we will help you to achieve them. Art Teacher Education Art teacher (K-12) Art curriculum developer Art chair department Museum educator Community arts program coordinator Art therapy Explore Art Teacher Education English Teacher Education English teacher English language teacher Reading specialist Literacy coach School librarian Author Explore English Teacher Education History Teacher Education History teacher Social studies teacher Museum professional Librarian Education program coordinator Educational consultant Explore History Teacher Education Music Teacher Education Instrumental music teacher Vocal music teacher General music teacher K-6 Choir director Orchestra director Music therapist Explore Music Teacher Education Spanish Teacher Education Spanish teacher Translator Language specialist International student advisor Spanish content creator International business consultant Explore Spanish Teacher Education Biology Teacher Education Biology Teacher Laboratory Instructor Science Education Specialist Academic Advisor Environmental Educator Science Writer Explore Biology Teacher Education What you’ll learn in your Secondary Education program As a Secondary Education student, you’ll begin with core School of Education courses to strengthen your understanding of learner development, learning differences, and learning environments. From there, you’ll move into your endorsement area to grow your expertise and advance toward your career goals. Core skills you’ll learn in the Secondary Education program Understanding of professional teaching standards Ability to address mild reading difficulties Mastery of techniques for accommodating diverse learners Ability to integrate technology into teaching Add a focus on English as a second language (K-12) to your degree Sample courses in the Secondary Education program CLASS CODE CLASS TITLE CREDITS EDUC 205 The Pluralistic Classroom 3 credits EDUC 300 The Pluralistic Classroom 3 credits EDUC 305 Secondary Methods 3 Credits SPED 310 Inclusion Strategies for Students with Special Needs 3 credits EDUC 419 Observation/Student Teaching: Secondary Grades 7 to 15 Credits View course catalog How much does a Secondary Education degree cost? The total cost of your Secondary Education degree will depend on your major, scholarships and finances, transfer credits , and other factors. Part-time tuition: 1–11 semester credits, per semester credit: $1,200 Full-time tuition: 12–18 semester credits, per year: $39,348 Other: 19 or more semester credits, per semester credit: $1,200 Find detailed tuition information and cost scenarios for each specialization: Art Teacher Education English Teacher Education History Teacher Education Music Teacher Education Spanish Teacher Education Biology Teacher Education Get an estimate of how much your Secondary Education degree will cost Use our Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of how much your degree will cost. Get my estimate Reduce your tuition by up to $24k Every student is awarded a scholarship based on their GPA. St. Ambrose University recognizes and rewards students for their academic performance. Explore scholarships Housing and meal plans for Secondary Education students When it comes to housing, St. Ambrose University offers diverse options to meet your needs. From traditional dormitories to apartment-style living, there's something for everyone. Freshman housing For incoming freshmen, on-campus residence halls provide a convenient college experience. Living among peers creates a sense of community and support, helping new students transition smoothly into university life. View freshman dorms. Transfer & upperclassmen housing As students progress through their academic journey, they have the option to transition to on-campus, apartment-style living. These accommodations offer more independence while still being located conveniently close to campus facilities and resources. View upperclassmen dorms. Meal plans St. Ambrose offers flexible meal plan options to accommodate various preferences and schedules. Whether you're looking for full dining hall access or a smaller meal plan for occasional use, there's a choice that suits your needs. View available meal plans. What are the Secondary Education admission requirements? Applicants to the Secondary Education program must provide the following information for admission: Applicants must have graduated from an accredited high school or earned a GED Applicants must have a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.5 Applicants must provide an official high school transcript What are the School of Education admission requirements for Secondary Education? We have additional requirements for admittance to the School of Education. Applicants must complete 40 field hours in EDUC 205 or provide verification through EDUC 207 Applicants must provide two professional rating forms (EDUC 205 or 207 instructor, and cooperating teacher's evaluation) which show you earned an average rating of at least Developing (3) in the three separate dispositional categories and recommended by both course instructor and cooperating teacher Applicants must receive a grade of "B" or above in EDUC 205 or EDUC 207 Applicants must complete the application for admission to teacher education program form (including statement of fraud section and necessary signatures) Applicants must complete EDUC 282 and EDUC 284 with at least a B average Apply now Build your skills. Build your confidence. “Upon leaving St. Ambrose, I felt utterly confident in my abilities and understanding in my area. While I still had room for growth, I was confident that I had a grasp of the material I was now teaching.” - Parker Haley ’17, Bachelor of Music Education Request Information St. Ambrose University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation and recognition provide the assurance we meet standards for quality faculty, curriculum, leaner services, and fiscal stability. St. Ambrose University’s Education programs are approved by the Iowa Department of Education. See all of SAU’s accreditations Visit St. Ambrose Experience our vibrant campus firsthand. Schedule a visit to explore our facilities, meet faculty, and discover your future at St. Ambrose University. Schedule my visit Why earn a Secondary Education degree from SAU? Our programs foster compassionate teachers who make a difference in the lives of students and are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to impress employers. Experienced faculty Faculty guide students towards teaching excellence, encouraging learner-centered classroom strategies and subject knowledge and application. Industry-aligned curriculum Our curriculum is designed to make sure graduates possess skills employers are looking for. Path to licensure Students who successfully complete our Secondary Education program will be recommended for a license to teach in Iowa agencies and schools. Iowa and beyond Whether you want to work in Illinois or another state, our faculty will guide you through the application process. News and events at SAU From A(mbrose) to (Gen) Z St. Ambrose University is proud to the host International Conference on Faith, Hope, and Renewal in the Catholic Church on April 24–26, 2026. From St. Ambrose to Disney: Alum joins Disney College Program St. Ambrose University graduate Emma Stiener ‘25 is taking her passions for teaching, dance, and storytelling to “the most magical place on Earth." As SAU and MMU Work to Combine, High School Sweethearts Katie and Bob Gaffney Now Share a College Connection High school brought together Katie and Bob Gaffney, and now their chosen universities have created a new mutual connection. View all news and events Become who you are meant to be With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, there’s something for everyone at St. Ambrose University! Explore our programs to find your place at SAU. Call: 563 333 6000 Request information Apply now