Northwestern University

Overview

The Bachelor’s Program in Secondary Teaching at Northwestern University offers a comprehensive education that merges liberal arts with specialized training in teaching methodologies for adolescents. This program emphasizes the understanding of how young people learn and equips students with the skills necessary to create effective instructional strategies. Students engage in structured field experiences, culminating in a student-teaching placement within partner schools.

What you'll study

Curriculum Highlights

The program integrates liberal arts coursework with education-focused classes. Students will participate in supervised field experiences that progress from early observational roles to full-time teaching responsibilities.

Core Education and Teaching Courses

• Culture and Cognition
• Studies in Organizational Change
• Team Dynamics
• Learning and Thinking in Organizations
• Identities, Intersections and Organizations
• Design of Learning Environments

Field Experience Sequence

• Community Internship (approximately 30 hours): This experience is completed while enrolled in a course focused on schooling within communities.
• Clinical Observation (approximately 100 hours): Typically undertaken during the fall term of the senior year at a junior high or high school.
• Student Teaching Placement: A full-time, quarter-long teaching experience in the winter term of the senior year at a partner school.

Communication and Major Requirements

• Liberal Arts Foundation: The program satisfies state expectations for a liberal arts education through Northwestern's distribution requirements.
• Written Communication: Two courses in written communication are required, which may include freshman seminar courses offered by the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
• Oral Communication: Completion of an oral communication course, such as public speaking or interpersonal communication, is mandatory.

Entry requirements

General Admission Criteria

• Submission through the Common Application or Coalition Application
• Official secondary school transcript and school report
• Counselor recommendation
• At least one recommendation from a teacher
• SAT or ACT scores
• Proof of English language proficiency is required only for applicants whose primary language is not English or whose secondary education was not conducted in English.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Secondary Teaching program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in education. They may pursue positions as secondary school teachers, educational coordinators, or curriculum developers. The program provides a solid foundation for those looking to make a significant impact in the field of education, equipping them with both theoretical knowledge and practical teaching experience.