Physics Secondary Education Bachelors Degree Pennsylvania

Share your passion for physics with middle and high school students.

Become a dynamic physics teacher. Earn your secondary education bachelor's degree with a physics concentration from PennWest California. We have over 165 years of experience preparing top teachers.

In this degree program you will combine fascinating courses in college-level physics, calculus and more with comprehensive classes and field experiences in education and the teaching of science.

Experience how PennWest California excels in teacher education.

This undergraduate major meets all education requirements for secondary education certification in Pennsylvania, so you can start teaching right away.
You'll participate in three sets of field experiences and will student teach at local Pennsylvania schools.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: PHYSICS CONCENTRATION

Top Professors
All PennWest California secondary education faculty members are experienced middle and high school teachers who are involved in Pennsylvania schools. You'll develop professional relationships with professors, benefit from their expertise, and get personal support in achieving your career goals.

Real-World Experience
Before beginning the full-time student teaching component of this program, you will participate in three sets of field experiences in local schools. This helps you excel in student teaching and stand out in the physics education job market.

Top Accreditation: This degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits PennWest California. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. See CAEP reporting measures of program impact and outcomes.

$64^K

Average annual salary for secondary education teachers in Pennsylvania. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Best

PennWest California was named one of Pennsylvania's "Best Colleges Shaping the Next Generation" in 2013 by OnlineCollegesDatabase.org.

Degree Benefits

Undergraduate degree courses will give you mastery of the latest practices and theories in physics education while deepening your discipline-specific expertise.

Study physics curriculum development techniques and standards based teaching.
Learn top strategies in classroom management.
Master classroom technology for teaching physics.
Deepen your knowledge of calculus, differential equations, physics and other related topics.
Gain real-world teaching experience.

Graduate Outcomes

You will graduate prepared to teach middle and high school physics at public, private, or charter schools. You can also pursue graduate studies in secondary education. Many of our alumni return to PennWest California for a master in teaching degree or a master of education degree. PennWest California secondary education alumni employers include dozens of schools in Pennsylvania and across the country.

Physics Concentration Secondary Education - Bachelor's Degree

Career Opportunities

Physics education is listed as a teacher shortage area in Pennsylvania and most other states. The job market is very strong.

Relationships with Local Schools

Benefit from PennWest California's network of Professional Development Schools (PDS). They serve as the ultimate real-world lab setting where you will work directly with K-12 teachers and students to gain applicable on-the-job experience.

Professional Development Opportunities

You'll have a career advantage by attending PennWest California. Work with a career services counselor who is dedicated to secondary education majors. Attend professional development and networking events, and have access to the Student PSEA (Pennsylvania State Education Association) Club.

Physics Concentration Secondary Education Bachelor's Degree Courses

This undergraduate degree program meets all state requirements for secondary education teaching certification in Pennsylvania. Our rigorous courses will deepen your physics knowledge while equipping you with the latest theories and practices in teaching physics.

Curriculum

Course	Credits
General Education Courses	41
Building a Sense of Community UNI 100 First-Year Seminar	1
Composition ENG 101 English Composition I	3
Public Speaking EDU 350 Supporting English Language Learners	3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy MAT 281 Calculus I	3
Health and Wellness HSC 315 First Aid	3
Technological Literacy EDU 333 Technology in Teaching and Learning	3
Humanities ESP 210 Special Education Foundation and Collaboration	3
Fine Arts Any Fine Arts Course	3
Natural Sciences PHY 101 College Physics I (lab)	4
Social Sciences PSY 100 General Psychology	3
Ethics and Multicultural Awareness Emphasis EDU 310 Teaching in a Multicultural Society	3
General Education Options PSY 206 Adolescent Psychology MAT 282 Calculus II ENG 102 Composition II	9

Required Concentration Courses	39
SEC 210 Intro to Secondary Ed	3
SEC 220 Standards-based Instruction	3
SEC 310 Instructional Strategies	3
SEC 350 Content Area Literacy	3
SEC 360 Technology Integration	3
SEC 395 Teaching of Science	3
SEC 400 Classroom Management	3
SEC 420 Assessment and Interventions	3
SEC 460 Professional Practices	3
SEC 461 Student Teaching	12

Required Education Foundation Courses*	6
ESP 311 Assessment and Positive Interventions	3
ESP 413 Evidence-Based Practices	3

Related Content Courses	36
MAT 381 Calculus III	3
MAT 382 Calculus IV	3
MAT 406 Differential Equations	3
PHY 202 College Physics II	4
PHY 203 College Physics III	4
PHY 221 Intermediate Elect and Mag	4
PHY 301 Intermediate Mechanics	4
PHY 331 Modern Physics	3
PHY 495 Physics Seminar	1
CHE 101 Gen Chemistry I	4
Science Elective	3

Total	122

Additional requirements not counted toward the General Education requirements and included in this program are:

Special Experience Course (1 course required): SEC 461 Student Teaching
Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): SEC 420 Assessment and Interventions AND SEC 460 Professional Practices
Laboratory Course (1 course required): Student Selected (science recommended)

* EDU 333, 310, 350; PSY 206; and ESP 210 fulfill general education requirements but are also considered "Required Education Foundation Courses."

Program Notes: This is a professional program. All courses listed as program requirements must be passed with a grade of C or higher. Math and English courses must also be passed with a grade of C or higher. Many SEC courses are linked to include field experiences and must be taken together as co-requisites. LiveText software is a requirement of this program. The science electives start with CHE, PHY, BIO or EAS.

Secondary Education

Bachelor's Degree Concentrations

8

Art Education K-12
Chemistry Education 7-12
Communications Education 7-12
Earth Science Education 7-12
English Education 7-12
Physics Education 7-12
Mathematics Education 7-12
Social Studies Education 7-12 <text links to new certification page>

Secondary Education - Physics Concentration Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)

About Secondary Education Physics Concentration