The School of Education seeks to transform lives in a learning community centered on excellence and service in education, providing a distinctive context for the professional preparation of teachers. The secondary education major with initial teacher certification in grades 9-12 prepares you to become a caring leader engaged in innovative teaching, collaboration, and reflective practice.


Program Overview
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Through rigorous study and diverse field and service-learning experiences, Rockhurst secondary education majors gain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to teach diverse learners in the 21st-century classroom.
Students in the secondary education major will double major in one of the following concentration areas: biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, politics, law & ethics, or Spanish K-12. A special education concentration is also available.
Each student pursuing the secondary education major will have a first major in the certification area of the student’s choice. The student’s degree will be either a B.A. or a B.S., depending on the certification area of study listed as their primary major.
- Students whose primary major is in math, chemistry, or biology will earn a B.S. degree.
- Students whose primary major is in English, Spanish, history, or politics, law & ethics will earn a B.A. degree.
Rockhurst also offers undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, as well as a minor in Educational Studies.
Learning Outcomes
The Missouri Teaching Standards convey performance expectations for professional teachers in Missouri. The standards are based on teaching theory, indicating that graduates become effective teachers who:
- exercise discipline-specific content knowledge
- plan and utilize innovative, evidence-based teaching strategies
- assess and adjust teaching methods according to the needs of individual learners
- gain awareness and feel empowered to work within diverse settings
Program Outcomes
Our accredited bachelor's degree in secondary education fosters inquiry, intellectual creativity, and evidence-based decision-making skills to equip you to face challenges in today’s global society.
Secondary Education Teacher
Instructional Designer
Online Instructor
Instructional Coach
Innovation Specialist
Education Coordinator
Course Map
Degree and class descriptions and requirements can be found by clicking on the course catalog listing below:
Popular Courses
Students will develop proficiency with a wide range of software applications and examine and evaluate educational software programs. Students will also examine emerging information technologies that show promise in the field of education and explore how these technologies might be of assistance in meeting the needs of diverse learners through differentiated learning.
The physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children and adolescents will be examined in this course. Motivational and learning theories and theorists will be explored, applying theory and research to today’s diverse classroom settings.
This course is designed to help pre-service teachers organize an enriched learning environment and develop strategies for managing and motivating students to help them become better and more responsible learners. This course is an introduction to the theory and application of management techniques that provide the basis for an effective, efficient, and positive classroom climate.
Students serve as interns in local secondary schools and work closely with cooperating teachers and university mentors for fifteen weeks to experience first-hand the responsibility for planning and implementing instruction in their major content field. Students initially observe, and then gradually assume responsibility for all classroom activities. The course is part of the Professional Semester.
Degree Info
- STEAM Studio
- Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education
- Lead to Read Program
- Study Abroad in Carpi, Italy
- Service-learning opportunities
- Outstanding field experience placements in the KC Metro Area, including public, private and parochial schools.
- Secondary education students will have an education advisor, as well as an advisor in their chosen certification area.
Rockhurst University Education Degrees
- Undergraduate Majors and Minors
- Master of Education with Teaching Certification Concentrations
- Master of Education in Educational Studies Concentrations
- Ed.D. in Education & Leadership Concentrations
- Health Care Education (Online)
- Higher Education (Online)
- K-12 Leadership (Online)
- Organizational Leadership (Online)
- All School of Education degrees and certificates (undergrad and graduate)
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