Education: Secondary Math/Science Option

The Education curriculum prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate degree-granting institutions by introducing them to the field of education while guiding them through a coherent sequence of liberal arts and sciences courses. By doing this, they prepare for careers in the field of education. After successful completion of this curriculum, students receive an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree.

The Education: Secondary Math/Science Option is appropriate for students who plan to pursue careers in teaching mathematics, science or related fields in secondary schools.

The Education curriculum has many transfer agreements with baccalaureate degree-granting institutions in the region. Because transfer institutions require specific courses to be taken prior to entry, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer, as well as their advisors, in order to make appropriate selections for their elective courses. According to Pennsylvania mandates under Chapter 354, students will need a 3.0 G.P.A. for entry into teacher certification courses. In addition, they must pass the Pre-Professional Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) before entry into upper level teacher certification courses at the transfer institution.

Career Options

Careers

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Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School– est. salary $37,724
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School– est. salary $109,421 
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education– est. salary $64,815*

 

**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.


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Transfer Opportunities

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Education: Secondary Math/Science Option degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition 3 credits   ENGL 101
MATH 171 - Calculus I 4 credits   Mathematics
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credits   Social Sciences
HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or
HIST 102 - United States History: The 19th Century or
HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century		 3 credits   Am/Global Diversity Interpretive Writing Intensive
CIS 103 - Applications & Concepts 3 credits   Tech Comp

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
Content Elective  4 or 5 credits See Content Electives chart below Natural Science
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper 3 credits   ENGL 102, Info Lit
MATH 172 - Calculus II 4 credits   Major Course
ED 201 - Foundations of Education for Middle and Secondary Years 3 credits ED 201: There is a 20-hour observation aligned with this course in a secondary math or science class setting.
Students will complete their required clearances, health assessment, and mandated reporter certificate. Once approved, the students will upload them onto the digital repository, Castlebranch.
All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.		 Major Course

Content Electives

All students must take four content electives. Students may earn the Associate's degree with any combination of four of the courses listed on the chart below.

Students planning to teach secondary mathematics or physics should take the following content electives: Students planning to teach secondary chemistry should take the following content electives: Students planning to teach secondary biology or general science should take the following content electives:
Math 270 and 
Math 271 and 
PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 OR
PHYS 140 and 241		 CHEM 121, 122, 221, and 222 BIOL 123 and 124
CHEM 121 and 122

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
Content Elective 4 or 5 credits See Content Electives chart below Directed Elective
Content Elective  4 or 5 credits See Content Electives chart below  Directed Elective
ED 214 - Cognition and Learning in the Classroom 3 credits

For ED 214: ENGL 101 and ED 105 or ED 201
There is a 10-hour observation aligned with this course in a secondary education math or science class setting. Students will complete their required clearances, health assessment, and mandated reporter certificate. Once approved, the students will upload them onto the digital repository, Castlebranch. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.

 Major Course
PSYC 209 - Adolescent Psychology 3 credits   Major Course
Literature Elective or
HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions or
HUM 102 - Cultural Traditions		 3 credits   Directed Elective

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ED 265 - Introduction to Special Education and Inclusive Practices 3 credits

For ED 265: ED 105 or ED 201 and PSYC 201 or PSYC 209 or PSYC 215
There is a 10-hour observation in a secondary education special education classroom setting. Students will complete their required clearances, health assessment, and mandated reporter certificate. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.

 Major Course

ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or
ECON 181 - Principles of Economics (Macroeconomics) or
ECON 182 - 182 Principles of Economics (Microeconomics) or
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology

 3 credits   Directed Elective
ART 103 - History of Art: Ancient to Renaissance or
ART 104 - History of Art II: Renaissance to Modern or
MUS 103 - Introduction to Music or
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy or
World language: any 100 or 200-level course1		 3 credits

 

 Humanities
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking  3 credits   Major Course
Content Elective 4 or 5 credits  See Content Electives chart below Directed Elective

Content Electives

Students should choose five content electives based on the subject they plan to teach as illustrated below

English Five courses in literature, creative writing, or other humanities
Foreign Languages Recommended minimum of two semesters in the language they plan to teach and three humanities electives. (Students who are already fluent in the language they intend to teach should take five humanities electives instead.)
Social Studies Choose any five:
POLS 111
ECON 181 or 182
HIST 101, 102, 1032, 121, 122, 220, 221
GEOG 101, 103, 180, 222
SOC 101, 233
ANTH 112
Art ART 103, 104, 105, 109, 115 

Students who intend to teach art at the secondary level should also prepare a portfolio.
Music Five music courses are required. MUS 105 and 106 are particularly recommended. MUS 116, 118, 120 and 121 are also recommended. 
Most baccalaureate programs in music education require testing and/or auditions for incoming transfer students. CCP students who intend to teach music should contact their intended transfer institutions for details.

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.

View the College Catalog for More Information

Featured Career

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Median Salary
$64,815

Number of Jobs
7,041
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+2.1%
in the region

Typical Tasks

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students

How well does it pay?

New workers generally start around $43,159. Normal pay for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is $64,815 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $95,120.

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Program Information

Education: Secondary Math/Science Option

Degree Type:

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

63

Online Learning Availability:

50% or Greater

Related Programs:

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