25 Best Secondary Education Degree Programs - College Rank (2024)

1

Arizona State University-Tempe

Arizona State University, located in Tempe, AZ, is not only one of the largest schools in the country—it’s also one of the most forward-thinking. This school is repeatedly ranked as top in the country for innovation, priding itself on offering accessible programs that are also affordable and academically rigorous.

There are a variety of bachelor’s degrees in secondary education offered by this institution. One of the most popular concentrations is English, but you can also choose to pursue additional sub-concentrations in areas like:

• literature
• linguistics
• rhetoric
• creative writing

Other teaching majors might pursue specializations in things like:

• Spanish
• physics
• political science
• earth science
• history

Arizona State offers programs both online and on-campus. It is affordable, flexible, and student-centered, with a variety of student services for you to enjoy and explore. Secondary education students can plan their degree with the assistance of an academic advisor.

2

Western Governors University

If you’re looking for a bachelor’s in secondary education that will allow you to earn course credit for what you know and what you can do—rather than simply seat time—you might want to consider enrolling at Western Governors University.

This school, located in Salt Lake City, UT, employs a unique online competency-based learning model. Founded only in 1997, Western Governors is one of the few schools of its kind that will allow you to move quickly through the curriculum, studying at your own pace rather than according to a preset plan.

Here, you’ll find one of the country’s best bachelor’s in secondary education. Within an online secondary education degree option, students can prepare for their teaching certification in all 50 states. Another fact worth noting? Western Governors is the top school in the country when it comes to producing STEM teachers.

At Western Governors, you’ll find some of the most flexible, affordable, and personalized programs. The Bachelor of Science comes with specializations in:

• Mathematics Education
• Science Education (secondary chemistry)
• Science Education (secondary biological science)
• Science Education (secondary physics)
• Science Education (secondary earth science)

This affordable education degree offers reasonable tuition along with courses that can be completed quickly and at your own pace. There are even teacher-specific scholarships you can apply for!

3

Iowa State University

Iowa State University, also known as Iowa State University of Science and Technology, is a public land-grant research university located in Ames, IA. The largest university in the state, this school is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – Very High Research Activity.

What does this mean? Choose to study at Iowa State, and you’ll be privy to some of the best and most hands-on research opportunities in the nation. That’s great news if you’re interested in learning more about the ins and outs of secondary education.

When you enroll at Iowa State, you’ll be able to choose a major in your area of interest and enroll in the college where that major is located. There are more than a dozen different undergraduate teacher preparation areas here. Some of the most popular include:

• agricultural education
• biology education
• chemistry education
• English education
• world languages and cultures
• family and consumer sciences education

Although you’ll gain all the experience you need studying on campus, there are plenty of ways to expand your experience off-campus, too. In fact, Iowa State University has extensive study-abroad programs in places like Taiwan, Norway, and New Zealand, where you can complete your student teaching requirements abroad.

4

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

If you’re looking for a program in secondary education that will allow you to delve deep into some of education’s most pressing issues, you may want to consider studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Here, you’ll find a research-oriented degree that will enable you to get involved with your instructors as they conduct groundbreaking educational research.

In fact, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the best places for you to study (regardless of your major) if you are interested in research. In 2015 alone, the school’s research expenditures totaled more than $280 million! You can work closely with your faculty members and fellow students as you pursue your degree and research in areas of interest.

After completing this degree, you’ll be eligible to teach diverse learners in grades 7-12. There are six endorsem*nt areas for you to choose from including:

• science
• mathematics
• English/language arts
• business
• foreign languages
• social sciences

There are also pathways for you to pursue if you are interested in becoming a community-based youth educator, coach, or business or corporate educator, too.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a top-ranked institution that attracts secondary education students from Nebraska and beyond. It is well-regarded for its accessibility, graduation rate, and impressive educational value. You can study either on-campus or online, and you’ll enjoy plenty of opportunities for field-based learning and internships, too. You can create your plan of study with the assistance of an academic advisor.

5

Fort Hays State University

Looking for one of the best online programs in secondary education? Look no further than Fort Hays State University. Here, you’ll find a degree in secondary education that is offered primarily online and is perfect for aspiring teachers in the state of Kansas and beyond.

Located in Hays, KS, Fort Hays has a large percentage of its approximately 6000-student population studying online. It also offers a superior Bachelor of Science in secondary education. The degree features pathways for licensure for both middle and high school teachers, along with multiple options for double majors.

Concentration options include:

• Spanish
• German
• biology
• agriculture
• journalism
• music

The list also includes more run-of-the-mill subject areas like English and mathematics, too. You will complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of student teaching along with core courses such as:

• Elements of Statistics
• English composition
• Diversity in the United States

As with many of the other schools on this list, Fort Hays State University offers many ways for you to get involved both on-campus and off. You might join clubs like Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education, or the Kansas National Education Association. You’ll have fun and be able to boost your resume all at the same time. At Fort Hays, you won’t be on your own to create your educational plan. Secondary education students work closely with an academic advisor to create their customized academic plan.

6

East Carolina University

A large public university in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is perhaps best known for its impressive online programs. This school started in 1907 as a teacher training school. ECU holds strong to its traditions as one of the country’s top providers of bachelor’s degrees in secondary education.

Of course, secondary education degrees aren’t the only degrees that this school has to offer. Both undergraduate and graduate students alike have nearly 40 different programs to choose from in the College of Education alone. Many of these are offered online or in a hybrid setting.

There are six separate programs for advanced certification along with an Ed.D. program in educational leadership offered here, too. You’ll be able to take core classes that cover topics like curriculum and development, pedagogy, and professionalism in the workplace when you enroll here. You’ll also complete a 10-credit hour student teaching placement, too.

A highly affordable degree, East Carolina University offers tuition at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. Choose to study on campus, and you’ll benefit from small class sizes and numerous research facilities, too, such as the Innovation Campus.

7

Clemson University

Clemson University, located in Clemson, SC and founded in 1889, might have the best reputation when it comes to its athletic profile. The Clemson Tigers are some of the best, particularly when it comes to college football, but the school should be recognized for its academic caliber, too.

Clemson offers one of the best bachelor’s degrees in secondary education with multiple specializations available to help you teach your subject of choice to students in grades 9-12. As the largest secondary education program in South Carolina, this degree features classes that are nonetheless close-knit. In fact, you’ll enjoy an average student-to-faculty ratio of just 16:1 in most courses.

Secondary Education students take a variety of required courses regardless of the specialization they choose, with core courses including:

• Foundations of Adolescent Literacy
• Teaching Secondary Science
• Adolescent Growth and Development
• World Literature

You can choose to pursue just one specialization (popular choices include mathematics, history, and English) or you can choose a double major in secondary education as well as your chosen content areas.

You’ll enjoy plenty of opportunities to expand your experience both on-campus and off. Clemson is home to more than 400 different clubs and organizations, along with more than 50 club sports—you don’t have to be a Division I athlete in order to partake!

8

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

If you can’t decide which age group of students you’d like to teach, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has the program in secondary education that’s perfect for you. Here, you can pursue programs in the school of education that are meant to educate students in a wide age range of 10 to 21. You’ll cover all your bases!

There are plenty of majors for you to choose from here, too, including:

• chemistry
• history
• English
• political science
• social science

You can pursue licensure in many (though not all) of these concentrations as long as you complete a minimum of the 120 required credits and participate in the required licensure examinations.

Secondary education students can get involved both on-campus and off at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Not only will you be required to complete field experience hours in classrooms off-campus, but you can participate in a variety of on-campus activities like the Student Wisconsin Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi (the International Honor Society in Education), and the Platteville Early Childhood Association, or PECA.

9

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public research university that was established in 1936. The school is perhaps best known for its affiliation with the UAB Health System, which is one of the largest academic medical centers in the country. Here, you’ll find phenomenal, world-class programs in radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, and more.

However, you don’t have to be an aspiring doctor in order to benefit from this school’s academic prestige. The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers one of the best secondary education degrees, too. Here, you’ll receive instruction from nationally renowned instructors who can teach you the skills and state-of-the-art instructional strategies necessary to reach a diverse group of young learners. Students can also earn their secondary education degree online.

Multiple secondary education majors are available, including those in:

• social science
• English language arts
• science
• mathematics

You can earn a STEM degree and qualify for certification as a classroom teacher by enrolling in the grades 6-12 UABTeach program, too.

Both the online and traditional classroom setting will prepare you equally well via practic*ms and internships. You can even attend in a hybrid fashion or on weekends or summer hours only.

10

North Carolina A & T State University

Established under the Morrill Act of 1890, North Carolina A&T State University is the largest historically black research university in the country. It’s well-ranked, receiving top marks as a historically black college as well as one of the country’s top public schools.

With more than 80 different degrees to choose from among eight colleges, one school, and a joint school, North Carolina A&T is home to one of the nation’s best bachelor’s in secondary education. One of the most popular concentrations in secondary education is actually available online, too, making earning a degree easier than ever. This is the Bachelor of Science in agricultural education.

However, you don’t have to be an aspiring “ag teacher” in order to enroll here. The school also offers specializations in fields like biology. Many of these degrees are meant to certify teachers who wish to work with students in grades 8-12, providing a unique avenue for certification. The education programs at North Carolina A & T State University offer students extensive opportunities for hands-on learning via research and other experiences.

11

Appalachian State

Without a doubt, Appalachian State University has one of the most beautiful college campuses out of any of the schools on this list. Located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in Boone, NC, this school is home to just over 18,000 students.

It has quite the reputation, too, regarded as one of the Best Schools in the Southeast by The Princeton Review and as one of the country’s top Green Colleges by the same publication.

There are several options you can pursue when it comes to earning a bachelor’s degree in secondary education here. Many of the specializations are paired with pathways for state licensure, including:

• mathematics
• chemistry
• geology
• English
• physics
• biology

Class sizes are small, generally containing fewer than 30 students on average. You’ll get all the hands-on experience you need to be successful as a future educator.

There are plenty of ways for you to get involved both on-campus and off. For example, you might choose to engage in mentorship programs with faculty and other students or to embark on research opportunities with your instructors. Appalachian State has numerous organizations for you to join, too, including the Appalachian State Student Chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics and Pi Mu Epsilon, just to name a couple.

12

Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University, a public school located in Cape Girardeau, MO, has its origins as a normal school for educating aspiring teachers. First founded in 1873, the school is home to more than 200 different programs of study—but the bachelor’s in secondary education remains true to the school’s origins and is one of the country’s very best.

You’ll find a variety of secondary education options here, many of which can be extended for certification not just in grades 9-12 but to grades K-12, too. Some of the most popular options include:

• agriculture education
• biology education
• English education
• mathematics education
• physical education

Students can earn their initial teacher certification while at Southeast. All students complete a student teaching requirement, working alongside a properly certified and experienced teacher.

Choose to enroll here, and you’ll have extensive opportunities to explore the exciting world of education both inside the classroom as well as out. You can join a myriad of student organizations, including the International Reading Association, Kappa Delta Pi, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Missouri State Teachers Association.

13

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi might be best known for its sports teams—particularly football, with the school often affectionately referred to as “Ole Miss”—but as the largest university in the state of Mississippi, it offers so much more than sports. In fact, the school is home to one of the country’s premier medical schools as well as more than 120 areas of study for students to explore.

With a student population of more than 23,000 students, Ole Miss, founded in 1848, offers an exemplary bachelor’s degree in secondary education that includes subject area options like:

• English
• physics
• mathematics
• chemistry
• social studies
• biology

All of these options come with the potential for you to earn 7-12 licensure in your area of study.

In order to pursue initial teacher certification, you will be required to participate in student teaching experiences in selected classrooms. Here, you’ll be able to gain hands-on experience in working with students of all backgrounds and skill levels. Of course, you’ll also be expected to take licensure examinations with the state of Mississippi before you head out into the workforce, too.

You’ll be well-prepared for these exams when you study at Ole Miss, as the school is home to nearly two dozen different research centers. These include the National Center for National Products Research, the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law, and more. Despite the university’s large size, class sizes are small and have a student-to-faculty ratio of just 18:1.

14

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Another one of the country’s top research universities for you to consider is the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Located in the heart of the Deep South, this school is home to a modest population of 8,000 students.

The Bachelor of Science in secondary education offers specialization options in a variety of fields, including choices like:

• biology
• physics
• history/social studies
• English language arts
• foreign language
• mathematics

You can pursue an additional collaborative certification pathway, too, which will allow you to complete a split internship between general education at the high school level and collaborative education for aspiring middle school instructors.

With this pathway, you’ll earn a degree that is not only more intensive and integrated but also more marketable when it comes time to apply to jobs. All teacher education programs at the University of Alabama in Huntsville are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and require at least 200 hours of field experiences, too.

15

Great Basin College

Elko, NV is likely a city you’ve never heard of—and Great Basin College, located in this tiny town, might not be a school that’s come across your radar yet, either. However, there are lots of good reasons to consider studying here as you embark on your journey as a prospective secondary educator.

Elko is a small city that sits on the Humboldt River and is home to just over 20,000 residents. Many of these are college students who study at Great Basin, an equally small school that was founded in 1967. Despite its small size, Great Basin College has an impressive reputation and some of Nevada’s best programs in secondary education.

Great Basin offers flexible online secondary education degrees. You’ll be able to pursue a variety of concentrations here, many of which are certified by the Nevada State Board of Education and recognized by reciprocity agreements in other states. You can pursue career and technical endorsem*nts as well as specializations in:

• mathematics for secondary education
• English for secondary education
• history for secondary education

Great Basin is home to just over 3,000 students, so you can be guaranteed to receive a close-knit, hands-on education that will truly make a difference as you begin to apply for jobs.

16

Murray State University

When you choose to study at Murray State University, you won’t be restricted by your physical location. This school has multiple extended campuses that offer graduate and upper-level courses in cities such as Murray, KY, along with Paducah, Madisonville, Henderson, and Hopkinsville.

You can pursue a bachelor’s in secondary education at most of them. Murray State offers multiple pathways to certification, including at the grade 8-12, 5-12, and P-12 level. Secondary programs for various grade level certifications include:

• English
• physics
• political science
• chemistry
• biological science
• mathematics

These programs are some of the best in the country when it comes to educating teachers who intend to work in rural or urban school districts.

Regardless of the specialization you choose, you’ll take 120-142 credit hours of study. You will be able to engage in field-based learning activities and a semester-long student teaching experience that will give you hands-on training in your content area in a public school.

This program also serves as an excellent pathway to the Master of Arts in education, teacher leader program in secondary education at Murray State. This program is great for secondary education students who wish to assume a non-administrative leadership role within their school districts.

17

Emporia State University

A public university located in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is the third-oldest public school in the state of Kansas. Here, you’ll find more than 80 different majors to choose from in multiple colleges and schools.

One of the most popular is the bachelor’s in secondary education, offered by the world-renowned Teachers College. Here, you’ll be able to choose from 17 different teaching fields and work closely with other secondary education students as you engage in hands-on experiences on campus and in local schools.

The faculty at Emporia State are some of the best in the country, working hard to develop excellent teachers by modeling excellent teaching strategies and skills themselves. When you enroll here, you’ll first select the field in which you would like to teach before you are paired with a faculty member in that area. After completing those courses, you’ll take classes in the teachers college.

Some popular concentrations here include:

• English
• earth and space science
• business education
• biology
• art
• chemistry

18

Union Institute & University

Want to study in Hollywood? You might want to consider enrolling in the bachelor’s in secondary education at Union Institute & University.

Not Hollywood, CA, of course—study at Union Institute & University and you’ll be studying in Hollywood, FL. That said, the school also has campuses in Ohio and California, too. At all three, you’ll find education programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level.

The education programs prepare both aspiring middle and high school teachers as well as those who want to teach in a special education or trade school setting. Regardless of the concentration you choose, you will take core classes on topics such as:

• Classroom Management
• Educational Assessment
• Effective Instructional Practices
• Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Education

You can choose from a variety of concentration areas, including:

• mathematics
• science
• English
• social science

For all of these concentrations, a final capstone is also required for graduation. Upon completing all of the core course and practicum requirements, you will be eligible to teach students in grades 6-12. You can take classes on a full- or part-time basis and begin your studies at any point, with classes starting once every eight weeks.

19

Drexel University

Founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel himself, Drexel University, located in Philadelphia, PA, has roots in philanthropy and community outreach. The school is home to more than 24,000 students in approximately 170 different graduate and undergraduate programs.

Drexel is perhaps best known for its extensive cooperative education program, which offers all students the opportunity to gain up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience in their field of study prior to graduation.

Drexel is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The bachelor’s in secondary education is known for its strong technological core and emphasis on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) content areas. You can pursue certification at grades 7-12 in a variety of areas here, enabling you to teach at both the middle and high school levels.

Some concentrations available to secondary education students include:

• mathematics
• physics
• general science
• English
• chemistry
• biology

You can pursue more than one teaching certification if you’d like, allowing you to implement pedagogy and skills from multiple content areas as you begin your career. All students complete a student teaching requirement in order to prepare to teach in the classroom.

20

Webster University

A private university with a main campus in Webster Groves, MO, Webster University is a nonprofit, nondenominational university with campuses all over the world. This school offers undergraduate and graduate programs at multiple branch campuses in the United States as well as Europe and Asia.

The teacher education programs are some of the most extensive. Webster offers secondary education programs at the certificate, graduate, doctoral, and undergraduate level. Focus areas include:

• biology
• English
• mathematics
• social science
• special education
• world languages
• art

You can also pursue a combined degree, which will enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s in emphasis areas such as teaching English as a second language.

Many of these programs are available fully online, allowing you the flexibility to access course material 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The courses are just as rigorous as those offered on campus, but with additional flexibility. Most pathways also lead to teacher certification, too, with reciprocity agreements in many other states.

21

Grand Canyon University

Although the name implies otherwise, Grand Canyon University is not located in the Grand Canyon! In fact, this school is located several miles away in Prescott, AZ. Despite this, Grand Canyon still has a reputation that’s larger than life. The school is the biggest Christian university in the world, with more than 20,000 students attending on-campus and 70,000 attending online.

One of the most popular programs is the Bachelor of Arts in English – secondary education. This program is fully accredited and prepares aspiring English teachers to meet the needs of diverse learners in the modern secondary education classroom. Upon completing all degree requirements, you’ll be eligible to pursue state certification to teach in grades 5-12.

Through this program, you’ll take core classes such as:

• American Encounter Narratives
• Data-Driven Instructional Methods for Middle and Secondary Teachers
• Advanced Methodologies of Structured English Immersion

Most students can earn a degree in just four years, with fast-track options available. Courses last just 15 weeks apiece. Students can also choose an online degree in secondary education for additional flexibility.

22

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

A private Christian university located in Waxahachie, TX, Southwestern Assemblies of God University offers a variety of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in a variety of fields. Among some of the most popular are within the liberal arts, although all of the school’s programs are grounded in Bible and Church ministries as well.

The bachelor’s degree in English, language arts, and reading is designed to prepare teachers who wish to work with students in grades7-12. Upon graduation from this program, you’ll be able to create and implement instructional plans that will help you teach diverse groups of students in productive classrooms.

Study online or on-campus—either way, as a student at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, or SAGU, you’ll enjoy full campus support. You can access all kinds of services, including the Career Center for job training, the Wellness Center, the Counseling Center, and more. Students can work with an academic advisor on their educational plan.

Class sizes are uniquely small, allowing secondary education majors to enjoy one-on-one relationships with their faculty. This program is also known for its affordability, with SAGU students graduating with 20% less debt than those from other private universities. Extensive scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid are available.

23

Arizona Christian University

Originally founded to prepare students aspiring toward careers in vocational ministry and missions, Arizona Christian University first offered only programs in Christian ministries and biblical studies.

Despite these origins, the school today offers a variety of programs in areas like:

• education
• business administration
• music
• behavioral health

As you might expect, the bachelor’s in secondary education degree here is one of the most student-focused.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, this rigorous, biblically-oriented curriculum produces graduates that are in-demand both locally and abroad. It’s one of only 24 schools in the United States that’s certified by the Association of Chrisan Schools International. Faculty here have an average of two decades’ worth of experience in the field and teach small class sizes that will allow you to practice your teaching in a hands-on way.

Specialization areas include:

• English language arts
• history
• math
• political science
• science
• physical education

Regardless of the content area you choose to pursue, you’ll take core classes such as:

• Classroom Management
• Educational Psychology
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Tests and Measurements

You’ll also be required to complete a Secondary Education Capstone. Graduates receive an ACSI teaching certification that allows them to teach in Christian schools around the globe. They are also eligible to apply for their initial teaching certification in Arizona.

24

Wilkes University

A private university located in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Wilkes University is a small school with just over 5,000 students. Originally founded in 1933 as a branch of Bucknell College, the school is classified as a doctoral/professional university and provides students with extensive opportunities to gain hands-on research experience.

The secondary education degree at Wilkes University leads to a secondary certification via the Pennsylvania Department of Education, typically in grades 7 to 12. You’ll gain extensive skills in assessment, classroom management, and other areas as you complete other core course requirements for one of nine different required content area majors.

Curious about the classes you’ll take? Required classes include:

• Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
• Assessment in Education
• Middle Level and Secondary Education Methods with Field Experience
• Inclusionary Practices

You’ll also complete a 12-credit student teaching requirement for one full semester.

As an education major, you can choose from one of nine different content areas. These include:

• political science
• environmental engineering and earth sciences
• biology
• mathematics
• English
• history
• Spanish
• chemistry
• physics

25

Prescott College

Prescott College was founded in 1965 when the Ford Foundation brought together a gathering of educators from around the United States. Originally built on 200 acres in Prescott, AZ, the school is now a private liberal arts college with dozens of majors for students to choose from.

The bachelor’s degree in education at Prescott is designed for teachers who want to teach in all kinds of settings, from formal public schools to more out-of-the-box adventure education classrooms. You’ll be able to create your own program with the assistance of a faculty advisor and graduation committee. This can be in a traditional area of study or can bridge multiple fields.

You’ll be required to complete 120 credit hours of study, with emphasis areas including unique topics like social justice education and environmental education. Other options include special education and education leadership. You will be able to pursue your teaching certification in many states after completing this degree as long as you complete certain core and prerequisite requirements.