Secondary Education

Study Education at Cornell Teacher Education Program

As someone who is interested in becoming a secondary education teacher, you’ll soon value the benefits of learning on the block plan. You focus on one course for 18 days, every day, Monday through Friday. Classes are small, interactive, and challenging. You get to know your professors and they get to know you. You get familiar with (and learn to appreciate) the diverse perspectives of your classmates who come from all over the U.S. and internationally to experience college One Course At A Time.

Journey from student to secondary education teacher

• Start by taking EDU 215 Educational Psychology and two additional 200-level education courses in your first two years.
• Declare your subject major in your sophomore year.

  Secondary education students don’t major in secondary education but they do work toward certification and can obtain endorsement in certain subjects. You’ll major in a subject you want to teach, completing coursework designed to meet the teacher licensure requirements for the State of Iowa in multiple endorsement areas.

• Apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) after completing EDU 215 and two additional 200-level courses.

• You'll continue to complete coursework, working toward your endorsements and/or your certification. By the time you are student teaching in your senior year, you’ll be classroom comfortable, because previous practicums will have prepared you.

Initial Teaching Licensure

Students who complete their Cornell Teacher Education Program are strongly urged to apply for an Iowa teaching license*

*Program completion alone does not license a person to teach. 

Reciprocity / Exchange Agreements

Iowa does not have reciprocity with any state. All individuals applying for licensure in Iowa must meet Iowa requirements. An evaluation is done to ensure that the coursework completed by the applicant meets Iowa's minimum requirements. In most cases, applicants who have completed a teacher preparation program through a regionally accredited college or university, received college credits, and completed either a student teaching or internship, may be eligible for Iowa licensure. Other states have similar policies and procedures.

Deficiencies It is not unusual to receive notification from the education department of another state that you have deficiencies to satisfy for regular licensure/certification. Most of the time a conditional or provisional license/certificate will be issued giving you time to satisfy the deficiencies. If you question any of the deficiencies noted by another state, please contact bpeterson@cornellcollege.edu to discuss the possibility of providing documentation that a particular requirement has been satisfied.

Finding your first teaching job

We work closely with you, providing mentorship, supervision, and guidance as you craft your resumes, cover letters, and application materials. Your professors know you well, which means they can write a more personalized letter that speak to your abilities for that first job. We will offer you guidance throughout your job search process. Before you interview for that first job, you’ll get the chance to attend a career day to participate in mock interviews with real principals.

We’re with you every step of the journey.

Careers in Secondary Education

A degree in secondary education prepares you to inspire students, build meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact in the classroom. Graduates can pursue careers teaching a variety of subjects at the middle and high school levels, with opportunities to work in diverse educational settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers earn a median annual salary of $64,580, while middle school teachers earn a median of $63,070.