Secondary Education Program | Saint Xavier University

The Secondary Education program prepares candidates to teach in grades 9-12 or PK-12. Saint Xavier University is approved to offer secondary education for the following content areas:

Students will have two majors: the content area major (e.g. Art, Biology, English, Mathematics, Music, Social Science, and Spanish) and Education Specialization major.

General Education

The program requires successful completion of general education courses, professional education courses and core courses.

All majors consist of a minimum of 32 credit hours in that subject area, and requirements are determined by the departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Education. Appropriate majors include the following: Art, Biology, English, Mathematics and Social Science. Art, Spanish and Music Education programs lead to a PK-12 licensure and have specific requirements in the major for program completion.

Required Professional Education Courses

Level 1:

EDU 200: The Profession of Teaching (3)
EDUL 200: Education Orientation (0)
EDU 202: Educational Psychology (3)
EDU 323: Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
EDU 377: Historical and Social Trends in American Schooling (3)
EDU 205: Child Growth and Development (3)

Level 2:

EDU 370: Principles and Practices of the Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
EDU 371-378: Methods of Teaching (major) in the Middle and Secondary School (3)
EDU 397: Literacy Instruction for Secondary Teachers (not required for Secondary English majors) (3)

Level 3: *

EDU 345: Seminar in Teaching and Learning (3)
EDU 349 OR EDU 352: Directed Teaching-Secondary/K-12 (9)

*Enrollment requires passing Educators Symposium and appropriate ILTS content exam.

Requirements in this program are subject to change within the time span of one's University career due to changing requirements at national, state and local levels.

Secondary Level Endorsements

Candidates may acquire additional secondary level endorsements for teaching other subjects in Grades 9-12. Please see the current Illinois Licensure, Endorsement, and Approval Requirements document at the IBSE website.

Requirements for Degree

Candidates in a secondary or K-12 education program should major in an appropriate subject area. All majors consist of a minimum of 32 credit hours, and major requirements are determined by the programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Education. In addition, candidates complete required education courses, the University core and Illinois licensure requirements.

Art Education (K-12)

Art education is an interdisciplinary track, combining learning in art and design practices, art history and visual culture and the pedagogy of performance as a visual art teacher. Students in this track are trained to be artist/designer-teachers.

Art education majors are required to take the 27 credit hour studio art core, including Senior Seminar I and II and a minimum of six other art and design courses chosen to cover both traditional studio practices and contemporary digital media. State requirements for secondary visual art teachers suggest an appropriate distribution of these courses in the following areas: painting, drawing, printmaking, computer graphics/graphic design, three-dimensional design, sculpture, ceramics, photography, film studies, art education methods, history of visual art and visual culture.

Art students who are seeking state licensure must be admitted to the Education Division and complete all requirements for the major, general education courses, professional education courses with a minimum of a C and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0. Consult the Education Division section of the catalog for the specific requirements and procedures. It is the responsibility of the student to ascertain and fulfill the requirements for the desired degree program. The major advisor and an education advisor will assist the student in this responsibility.

Secondary Education Licensure in Biology

It is possible to become licensed as a biology teacher at the secondary education level (9-12 teacher licensure) by completing the general biology track and requirements for a secondary education license. Biology majors pursuing a secondary education license must take BIOL 312: Plant Adaptation and Diversity (4) and BIOL 318: Ecology (5). Students pursuing a secondary education license in biology must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 to successfully apply to student teach, and then they must maintain this GPA during all remaining semesters prior to student teaching. Major area of specialization coursework includes all content-area courses used to fulfill major requirements in the program (i.e., BIOL, CHEM, PHYS and MATH courses). Please contact the Education Division for specific details of the licensure program.

English Secondary Education

The English secondary education major integrates a full professional program with the program's linguistic, literary and rhetorical foundations. The best teachers of English are also scholars of English -- and the most empowered teachers are those who can navigate the mandates of the profession from the perspectives of a scholarly formation while also understanding the art of teaching young adults.

All English secondary education majors at Saint Xavier University begin their course of study by taking introductory coursework in literary and rhetorical theory and practice.

Requirements for the English Education Major (45 credit hours)

All English Secondary Education majors must complete a common set of core requirements (15 hours). English Education majors must complete the English Secondary Education requirements (30 hours). All courses must be completed with grades of C or better. One three-hour literature course may count toward the University's General Education requirement in literature/fine arts. Some courses may meet other General Education requirements. No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement within the majors.

Core Requirements for English Education majors (15 hours)

ENGL 207: Study of Literature (3)
ENGL 208: Study of Rhetoric (3)
ENGL 220: Advanced Writing (3)
ENGL 340: Critical Theory (3)
ENGL 395: Senior Seminar (3)

Specific Requirements for the English Secondary Education Major (30 credit hours)

200-level Requirements (9 credit hours)

One literature elective (British, American, or combination) (3)
One World Literature elective (3)
ENGL 241: Introduction to Language and Linguistics (3)

300-level Requirements (21 credit hours)

Two literature electives (British, World, American, or combination) (6)
One elective (British, World, American, Rhetoric, Theory or combination) (3)
ENGL 344: Young Adult Literature (3)
ENGL 356: Teaching Writing and Language (3)
ENGL 371: Teaching Reading and Literature (3)
ENGL 373: Methods of Teaching English at the Secondary Level (3)

Additional Requirements for English Secondary Education Major: English Secondary Education majors seeking licensure must be admitted to the Education Program, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and complete all English education major courses, all general education courses, and all professional education courses with a minimum grade of "C." This program focuses on the preparation of teachers according to CAEP/NCTE standards and Illinois Content Standards for Educators. Candidates must successfully complete state licensure requirements and procedures. It is the responsibility of the student to ascertain and fulfill the requirements for the degree program. The major advisor will assist the student in this responsibility.

Senior Seminar: Regardless of their major (English or English Secondary Education) or concentration within the English major (Global Literature or Rhetoric and Writing), students will register for ENGL 395: Senior Seminar. Admission to this course requires program approval (contingent upon senior status). Students will be assigned a faculty mentor appropriate to their area of study.

Mathematics (MATH/SED) Secondary Level (9-12 Licensure)

Required mathematics courses (39 credit hours)
- MATH 200: Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (3)
- MATH 201: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4)
- MATH 202: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4)
- MATH 203: Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (4)
- MATH 211: Linear Algebra (4)
- MATH 301: Advanced Calculus (4)
- MATH 305: Probability and Statistics I (3)
- MATH 306: Probability and Statistics II (3)
- MATH 307: Modern Geometry (3)
- MATH 308: History of Mathematics (3)
- MATH 309: Abstract Algebra I (3)
- MATH 399: Senior Seminar (1)
Application area (6-10 credit hours)
Two courses in an application area are required. Possible application areas include Computer Science, Physics (calculus-based), Business and others by petition. Program approval is required.
Elective courses
Students must select two courses (6 credit hours) from the 300-level mathematics elective courses.
Students must be admitted to the Education Division/Education Secondary Education program.
Students in the MATH/SED Education major must achieve an overall SXU GPA of 3.0 and complete all major courses, all general education courses, and all professional education courses with a minimum grade of C to be admitted to the Education Division and student teaching. Consult the Education Division section of the catalog for specific requirements and procedures. It is the responsibility of each student to ascertain and fulfill the requirements for the desired degree program. The major advisor will assist the student in this responsibility.

Programs of Study in Music (Bachelor of Music [B.M.] - Professional Degree)

Bachelor of Music in Music Education students must complete the music core requirements along with the requirements for one of the emphases. Accredited: National Association of Schools of Music.

Professional Degree Music Core

MUS 101: Music Theory I (3)
MUS 102: Music Theory II (3)
MUS 201: Music Theory III (3)
MUS 202: Music Theory IV (3)
MUS/MUSLB 151: Aural Skills I (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 152: Aural Skills II (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 251: Aural Skills III (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 252: Aural Skills IV (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 161: Keyboard Skills I (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 162: Keyboard Skills II (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 261: Keyboard Skills III (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 262: Keyboard Skills IV (1 + 0)
MUS 115: Introduction to Music (3)
MUS 150: World Music Cultures (3)
MUS 301: Form and Analysis (2)
MUS 314: Conducting (3)
MUS 330: Music History I: Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque (3)
MUS 331: Music History II: Classical/Romantic/Contemporary (3)

Total Hours Required for Music Core (37)

Music Education K-12

Music education majors must complete the requirements for one of the following emphasis:

Choral Emphasis/Vocal

Applied Voice (six-semester minimum) (12)
MUS 103: Vocal Technique (3)
MUS 205: Italian/English Diction for Singers (2)
MUS 206: German/French Diction for Singers (2)
MUS 334: K-12 General Music (3)
MUS 335: Teaching Choral Music in the Junior and Senior High School (3)
MUS 312: Vocal Pedagogy (3)
Applied Piano (three-semester minimum) (3)
Large Ensemble (every semester except Student Teaching semester) (0)

Total Hours Required for Emphasis (31)

Total Hours Required for Emphasis plus Music Core (68)

Instrumental Emphasis

Applied Music, Major area (seven-semester minimum) (14)
MUS/MUSLB 144: Vocal Methods for Instrumental Majors (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 145: Brass Methods (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 146: Percussion Methods (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 147: String Methods (1 + 0)
MUS/MUSLB 148: Woodwind Methods (1+ 0)
MUS 334: K-12 General Music (3)
MUS 335: Teaching Instrumental Music in the Junior and Senior High School (3)
Small Ensemble (three-semester minimum) (3)
Large Ensemble (every semester until graduation) (0)

Total Hours Required for Emphasis (28)

Total Hours Required for Emphasis plus Music Core (65)

General Education Core - Professional Degree (B.M.)

English 120 (3)
First-Year Seminar (3)
Speech (3)
Science - One Life/One Physical (6)
Social Science (6) - POLSC 101/PSYCH 101 required for Music Education
Philosophy (6)
Religious Studies (6)
Math (Minimum 100-level) (3)
American History (HIST 103 or 104) (3)
Transitions (1)

Total Hours Required (40)

Illinois Professional Educators License -- K-12 Music

Music students who are seeking an Illinois Professional Educators License with an endorsement in K-12 must complete all required courses for the bachelor of music degree with a major in music education and the additional general education and professional education requirements with a minimum grade of C. Music education students must also be admitted to the Education Program and must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for admission to the Education Program and student teaching. Consult the Education Program section of the catalog for specific requirements and procedures. Candidates seeking an Illinois Professional Educators License with an endorsement in K-12 Music must meet three important benchmarks throughout their academic journey here at Saint Xavier University.

Full admission to SXU's Education Program (and permission to enroll in Level 2 professional education coursework) requires a Cumulative GPA of 3.0. Level 2 courses in the K-12 Music Program include: MUS 334, MUS 335 or MUS 336 and EDU 397.
Admission to student teaching/clinical practice requires evidence of passing the ILTS Content Exam #143 -- Music.
Obtaining a Professional Educators License in Illinois requires the successful completion of the edTPA performance assessment. This assessment must be completed during the student teaching semester.

Additional General Education Requirements

State of Illinois General Education Requirements for K-12 Professional Education Licensure

Math (Minimum 100-level) (3)
American History (HIST 103 or 104) (3)

Total Hours Required (6)

Professional Education Licensure Requirements

Level 1

EDU 200: The Profession of Teaching (3)
EDU 200: Education Orientation (0)
EDU 377: Historical and Social Trends in American Education (3)
PSYCH 201: Adolescent Psychology (3)
EDU 202: Educational Psychology (3)
EDU 323: Survey of Students with Exceptionalities for the Regular Classroom Teacher (3)

Level 2

EDU 397: Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners (3)

Level 3

MUS 352: Directed Teaching: K-12 Music (9)
EDU 345: Seminar in Teaching and Learning (3)

Total Hours Required (30)

Social Science Secondary Education

History and Political Science has designed its programs to align with the Illinois Content Area Standards for Educators established by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Standards of the National Council for Social Sciences (NCSS). Students who wish to become high school history teachers must seek licensure in the area of social sciences with a disciplinary specialization in history. They must pass the content examination, which covers a wide range of concepts from history and the social sciences. The program offers a Social Sciences Education (SOCSC) major intended to prepare students for licensure under these policies. This program satisfies the Illinois Content Area Standards and leads to licensure in social sciences with a history specialization. The Social Sciences Education major provides a strong grounding in history but also allows students to develop a breadth across the social sciences. Interested students should discuss the program with advisors in the program. Students seeking secondary licensure must also be admitted to the Education Program, which requires maintaining an SXU grade-point average of 3.0 and meeting the basic skills requirement. Students in the SOCSC Education major must achieve an overall SXU grade-point average of 3.0 and complete all major courses, all general education courses, and all professional education courses with a minimum grade of C to be admitted to student teaching. Students considering this major should be aware that they might face a competitive job market as prospective secondary social science teachers. Success depends upon strong mastery of the content area as demonstrated by superior grades in coursework as well as the development of professional dispositions appropriate to teachers.

The social sciences education (SOCSC) major is designed for students seeking Illinois secondary licensure in the area of social sciences with a disciplinary specialization in history. It satisfies the Illinois Content Area Standards and requirements. It is ideal for students who intend to teach history and other social sciences in Illinois public high schools.

Social Science Education (51 credit hours)

*NOTE: Nine (9) credit hours count toward University general education requirements in history and social sciences.

Social Science Focus (24 credit hours)

SOCSC 101: World Geography
ECON 202: Principle of Economics
POLSC 101: Intro. to U.S. Government
POLSC 102: World Politics
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
Three Elective courses (9 semester hours) in economics, sociology, anthropology or political science with no more than six hours in one discipline.

History Concentration (27 credit hours)

HIST 101: World History to 1500
HIST 102: World History since 1500
HIST 103: United States History to 1877
HIST 104: United States History since 1877
HIST 230: Illinois History
HIST 200: Introduction to the Discipline of History (Pre-requisite: 6 credit hours in history)
HIST Elective (one 200 or 300-level course in non-U.S. history)
HIST Elective (one 200 or 300-level course in history)
HIST 395: Senior Seminar (Pre-requisite: HIST 200 and one 300-level history)

Spanish Education

Students in the Spanish Education major must complete all requirements for Option I: Spanish Language, Literature and Civilization, achieve an overall SXU GPA of 3.0 and complete all general education courses, and all professional education courses with a minimum grade of C to be admitted to the Education Division and student teaching.

Candidates must successfully complete state licensure requirements and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) test. Consult the Education Division faculty for specific requirements and procedures. The major advisor will assist the student in the content area.