An undergraduate major in secondary education is not available at UAF. The secondary post-baccalaureate program is an intensive, classroom-based secondary licensure program (30 credits) that prepares baccalaureate graduates for secondary (grades 7-12) teaching positions. The program is offered as an undergraduate level program and as a graduate level program with a M. Ed. Secondary Education degree option. The program is specifically designed for students who want to teach in multicultural secondary schools in Alaska. Delivery is offered in Fairbanks and in areas served by the College of Rural and Community Development (CRCD) campuses and their services areas with the exception of the Aleutian-Pribilof Center. A secondary education minor is available on campus. Courses taken in the minor are applicable to the licensure program requirements. Upon request and satisfactory completion of this program, candidates are recommended to the State of Alaska for an Initial teaching license which is valid for three years. The program is accredited by NCATE standards until 2009. Upon satisfactory completion of this program, candidates apply and receive a certification of completion from UAF.

Teaching, human services, counseling, school administrators, and rural Alaska.

While in high school expect to take English, social sciences, mathematics (including calculus if you plan to teach math), and natural sciences (particularly in the area you plan to teach). Students should plan to participate in extra-curricular activities and/or community service.

Plan an undergraduate major in the field you are interested in teaching in (for example: English or history or science). Check with the secondary education advisors to verify that it is a certifiable subject area. Students interested in Secondary Education may want to enroll in Edsc 205 Introduction to Secondary Education, offered during spring semesters.

Applicants to the program will be asked to describe their experience with adolescents. Tutoring, coaching or co-coaching, working with after school programs, substituting in a school, or volunteer experience with youth programs are encouraged.

Many secondary education students seek positions as full-time teachers or substitute teachers in Alaskan public schools; while other teach in private schools or in other states. According to Alaska Teacher Placement, employment possibilities vary by endorsement areas and by regions of the state. The greatest demand for teachers is in rural Alaska. Employment possibilities increase for teachers who have more than one endorsement area.

UAF School of Education Secondary Program
UAF catalog description