Newberry College

The Secondary Education concentration is a newly approved degree through the South Carolina Department of Education. One of the most critical needs areas in the nation are highly qualified math and science teachers in particular Chemistry teachers. The concentration is designed as Chemistry major, so the student may pursue any pathway of a traditional Chemistry major with the versatility to also teach chemistry in high school, therefore increasing the student’s marketability in this economy.

Chemistry Major (B.S. degree) with Secondary Education Concentration (98 hours)

A Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with Secondary Education concentration requires 41 semester hours of chemistry; 22 hours of additional science and math; and 36 hours of education courses including:

• 41 hours of Chemistry: 113, 114, 211, 231, 232, 241, 242, 301, 321, 330, 375, 391, and 445;
• 4 hours of Biology: 111, 121;
• 4 hours of Mathematics: 211;
• 8 hours of Physics: 201, 202 or 213, 214;
• 6 hours of Science: 114, 321;
• 36 hours of Education: 224, 230, 232, 300, 342, 382, 455, 480, and 483.

Students are also highly encouraged to take Chemistry 290, 391, and/or 491 to help develop laboratory and analytical thinking skills. Students attending graduate school are encouraged to take as many chemistry courses as possible. Students beginning the chemistry program should take Chemistry 113 and 114, Biology 121, Mathematics 150 and 211 during their freshman year.

Students who plan to qualify for certification at the secondary level should major in the academic field for which certification will be sought and minor in Education. Graduation with a concentration in Education does not guarantee state certification. In order to be certified by the state of South Carolina, candidates must pass all required PRAXIS II series tests and meet all certification requirements.

Candidates should take EDU 224 and EDU 230 during their freshman year. EDU 232 should be taken during the sophomore year. These classes are prerequisites for all other education courses. All candidates must pass, or exempt, Praxis I reading, writing, and mathematics tests and apply for and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in order to take 300- and 400-level education courses. Additional courses required for the secondary education concentration are EDU 300, EDU 342, EDU 382, EDU 455, EDU 480, and EDU 483. Schedules for otherwise qualified transfer students will be considered on an individual basis.

All candidates, regardless of major, complete a minimum of 108 hours of field experience in a public school prior to student teaching.