Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

Admissions & Aid School of Education
A secondary education student from the University of Portland stands in the midst of a local high school classroom while teaching during an internship.

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

What Will I Learn in the Secondary Education Major?

University of Portland’s (UP) bachelor of science in secondary education (BSSE) degree program equips you with the skills to become a transformative middle or high school teacher. From your first semester, you’ll participate in meaningful field experience and student teaching opportunities that will prepare you to inspire and educate students for years to come.

With a BS in secondary education, you’re eligible for an Oregon P-12 “single-subject” (secondary) preliminary license, with endorsements in advanced mathematics, biology, chemistry, drama, foundational mathematics, French, German, language arts, middle school language arts, middle school social studies, music, physics, social studies, and Spanish.

You will also meet Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission requirements to:

  • Plan instruction that is appropriate for middle school and high school developmental levels and supports student progress in content learning areas.
  • Establish a classroom climate conducive to learning.
  • Engage students in planned learning activities.
  • Evaluate, act upon, and report student progress in learning.
  • Exhibit professional behaviors, ethics, and values.

Secondary Education Courses

The BSSE degree curriculum emphasizes foundational education classes, subject-specific teaching methods, and electives that align with your subject area interests. Course topics include pedagogical strategies, classroom management, and integrating social and emotional learning into your teaching practice.

Your secondary education degree program also includes over 1,200 hours of robust fieldwork and student teaching placements in local schools, ensuring you have the real-world preparation to confidently lead your own classroom.

Degree Requirements

University Core

The 40-credit-hour Core Curriculum is rooted in UP’s Holy Cross tradition. It fosters critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to serving others. Through courses in the liberal arts, you cultivate a well-rounded perspective, empowering you to approach teaching with empathy, creativity, and purpose.

The Core

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More than a Degree

Enrich your education with unique opportunities that prepare you to thrive as an educator and leader.

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Social and Emotional Learning Specialty

Develop expertise in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies that empower students to navigate challenges and build resilience. UP’s SEL specialty ensures you know how to support the whole student, both academically and emotionally.

A University of Portland secondary education program student writes on a whiteboard while teaching during a high school internship program.

Clinical Practice Information

Practical experience is essential to becoming an effective teacher. Through in-person fieldwork and student teaching, you’ll partner with local schools to refine your teaching skills, gain confidence, and make a lasting impact on students’ lives, culminating in over 1,200 hours of teaching experience before you graduate.

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Holy Cross Tradition

Through UP’s Holy Cross values, you will not only graduate as a fully qualified and academically prepared educator but also become a compassionate teacher who understands how to treat students with integrity and care.

The UP Difference

We’re committed to your success as an educator. Here’s what sets us apart.

A secondary education student teacher from the University of Portland converse with high school students in the classroom during a teaching internship.

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Hours of Classroom Experience for Education Majors

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Student-to-Faculty Ratio

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Two students lie in the grass while reading books under the shade of a tree on the University of Portland campus on a sunny day.

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Undergraduate Degree Programs

Secondary Education Student Spotlight

“The ability to work in local schools starting my first year gave me ample time to become comfortable working in a classroom before starting my career. The classes I took in classroom management, adolescent psychology, assessment, and language acquisition were invaluable, and I still reflect on them in my work today. I’m able to strategize interventions for students in need of behavioral support and employ trauma-informed instruction and social-emotional learning strategies to address students’ needs.”

Surabhi Joglekar ’20, High School Math Teacher, Portland Public Schools

Careers and Outcomes

Your BSSE degree from UP and teaching licensure prepare you for an impactful career educating middle and high school students in subject areas such as mathematics, language arts, social studies, and more. You can work in public, private, or charter schools, planning engaging lessons, encouraging student success, and helping students develop foundational skills.

3+1 Pathway

At UP, the 3+1 Pathway offers an accelerated route to getting both your bachelor’s in secondary education degree and master of arts (MAT) in teaching degree in just four years. This program gives you a head start in achieving your professional goals, which increases your earning potential and leadership opportunities.

Graduate Studies

Interested in other ways to continue your education with UP? Many BSSE graduates pursue advanced degrees in various areas of education, including educational leadership, principalship, and more. Explore University of Portland’s graduate education programs.

Alumni Employers

Schools look for teachers who foster student growth, cultivate essential skills, and make learning engaging—this is what our BSSE graduates do best. They educate and lead in the following school systems:

  • Archdiocese of Los Angeles
  • Central Catholic High School
  • Hillsboro School District
  • Jesuit High School
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Vancouver School District

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Make an Impact in the Classroom and Beyond

The influence of a great teacher lasts a lifetime. University of Portland’s bachelor of science in secondary education degree program empowers you to connect with students, inspire learning in a subject area you’re passionate about, and cultivate a brighter future for your community and beyond.

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