Secondary Education Biology

Tuition Fee

Start Date

Medium of studying

Biology

Duration

4 years

Details

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Biology | Education Science | Secondary Education

Area of study

Biology | Education Science | Secondary Education

Education type

Biology | Education Science | Secondary Education

Timing

Full time

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

Program Type

B.S.

Est. Time to Complete

4 Years

School

School of the Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences

Delivery Mode

On Campus

About the Secondary Education Biology Degree

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Secondary Education Biology degree program at York College of Pennsylvania prepares you to become a certified biology teacher through Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-approved coursework and rich student teaching experiences.

At York College, we believe a great biology teacher must have a well-rounded background in other scientific disciplines and a solid understanding of teaching and leading a classroom. Secondary Education Biology majors establish these solid foundations and receive personalized support to become certified teachers.

York is home to a community of expert educators, industry leaders, and driven students who support your journey to complete licensure requirements, pass certification exams, and become a biology teacher.

Key Courses

Biology Education Degree Requirements

Secondary Education Biology majors complete a balance of science and biology topics courses, general education classes, education methods requirements, and real-world student teaching experiences in preparation for careers as certified educators in seventh through twelfth grade.

Key courses and experiences in the 125-credit BS in Secondary Education (7-12), Biology degree program include:

BIO 142: Molecules, Genes and Cells
BIO 212: Environmental Biology
SE 201: Early Field Experience
SE 354: Middle and Secondary Science Pedagogies
SE 495: Student Teaching

Program Admissions

Once admitted to York College of Pennsylvania for the Secondary Education Biology program, students must complete introductory courses and meet other requirements to apply for Pre-Professional Educator Status, a prerequisite for upper-level coursework and student teaching.

Career Opportunities & Benefits

Begin Teaching Biology in Middle and High School

A Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Biology helps certify students seeking teaching positions in grades 7-12. Graduates from the Secondary Education Biology bachelor’s program become educators in public schools, private schools, and other related environments. Our students have gone on to work for public and private schools, such as 360Lancaster, Commonwealth Connections Academy, and school districts across York County.

Individuals who have completed a secondary education degree program can also pursue further education by enrolling in graduate education programs, leading to other certifications and credentials. By gaining experience as an educator, you'll expand career opportunities in areas such as teacher training, special education, school administration, and district-level roles.

Salary Outlook in Secondary Education

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers reported a median annual salary of $62,360 in 2022. This figure reflects the evolving economic landscape and the crucial role of educators in secondary education.

Internships & Work Experience

Field Experience and Student Teaching

Biology and science education majors at York receive extensive, personalized training on how to lead a classroom, including instructional techniques and technological skills, in hands-on field experiences that culminate in a student teaching semester.

As a biology education major, you’ll build up your methods and confidence in teaching scientific concepts, completing typical teacher duties, lesson planning, and more. There are four components of student teaching:

Early field experience
Educational assessment immersion
Advanced field experience
Professional semester (student teaching and seminar)

These undergraduate student teaching experiences help complete the requirements for teacher certification in Pennsylvania, a necessary credential for teaching in public Pennsylvania schools.

Mentorship & Community

Learn from Expert Educators

From the York faculty who teach and mentor you to the clinical supervisors you learn from in field and student teaching experiences, the educators you meet as a Secondary Education Biology major at York impart insight and advice that impact your future professional success.

High-Demand Skills

Skills for Teaching the Sciences in Middle and High School

Acquire essential skills for biology lesson development, educational techniques, and classroom management. Graduates of the BS in Secondary Education - Biology degree program:

Gain comprehensive understanding of topics of biology such as genetics, microbiology, and ecology for teaching at the secondary level
Practice teaching methods and strategies to communicate complex biological concepts to students
Demonstrate skills in managing diverse classroom dynamics and maintaining an inclusive and productive learning environment
Know how to integrate technology and digital tools and resources into the classroom
Be able to administer techniques in assessing student understanding and progress
Design and implement an engaging and educational biology curriculum, including lab experiments and field activities