Secondary Education
Washington College has twelve Maryland Approved Secondary Certification Programs (grades 7-12): art, biology, business education, chemistry, English, French, German, mathematics, physics, social studies, Spanish, and theatre.
The number and specificity of courses required for certification in these subject areas vary, with some fields such as social studies and English having more extensive state requirements. Program Completion and Certification are contingent upon candidates achieving Maryland passing scores on the required national examinations and meeting all Program Completion Requirements.
The Secondary Teacher Certification Program at Washington College has a long- standing reputation for excellence. Multiple graduates have been selected by their high school districts as “Teacher of the Year,” and April Todd ‘95 was named Maryland Teacher of the Year in 2008.
Most students begin the Secondary Internship in the middle of their junior year. At that point they are assigned to a Professional Development School (PDS) where they begin a two-semester internship under the guidance of both College and school personnel. At the same time, students complete their professional coursework at the College. By the middle of their senior year, Washington College Teacher Interns demonstrate that they can effectively teach their chosen subject areas to public school students according to the standards for effective teaching adopted by the state of Maryland, The Essential Dimensions of Teaching.
A hallmark of the Secondary Education Program is the challenging yet supportive environment created by the students, faculty, and school personnel as they work closely together to ensure each student’s success and provide the students with a framework for understanding their chosen profession.
Secondary Education Professional Course Sequence
The following education courses are required for students who wish to become certified as secondary teachers. Students should meet with department faculty to plan coursework; not all courses are offered each semester.
Students wishing to be certified in English must take EDU 315. Modern and Traditional Grammar and ENG 342. Children’s and Adolescent Literature.
