2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 09, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Secondary Education, B.A.


The secondary education major engages students in a combination of courses in the Arts and Sciences and in the Education Department. Students choose one area of specialization from the following content areas: English or Social Science. The Secondary Education Program meets the Florida State standards and coursework requirements for graduates to obtain teaching certification. Secondary education majors are required to take the Subject Area Exam for grades 6-12 of the Florida Teacher Certificate Exam.

The Saint Leo Secondary Education Program has been designed to align with the Florida Department of Education competencies and skills for teacher education preparation programs.  

Students in the Department of Education are expected to demonstrate dependability, good character, and acceptable academic standing. Students are therefore evaluated on their academic, professional, and ethical performance in their coursework, as well as in their field experiences. If a student demonstrates inadequate performance in any of these areas, the Professional Standards Committee may be called upon to address the issue(s). Issues regarding academic dishonesty are handled by the Saint Leo University Academic Standards Committee.

Entrance into the program requires students to:

1. Meet Saint Leo University Explorations (General Education) requirements or transfer in with an Associate of Arts degree from another accredited institution;
2. Pass the General Knowledge (GK) portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam prior to or during the first semester in the junior year;
3. Enter with and maintain a GPA of 2.5 throughout the program.

During the semester prior to the final internship, students must complete a formal application to intern. Final Internship is a full-time, semester-long, student-teaching experience in a middle grades classroom. To qualify for final internships

1. Have completed all specialization courses and all EDU courses; except for the final internship hours (EDU 480) and the final internship seminar (EDU 481); however, EDU 428 may be completed concurrently with final internship
2. Have a 2.5 overall GPA and a minimum of a grade of C in all education courses
3. Complete a background check prior to field placement
4. Complete a formal application by February 15 or October 15 prior to the internship semester and
5. Pass all required portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam

To graduate with a degree in secondary education, students must:

1. Satisfy all requirements listed above for internship
2. Receive a passing grade for EDU 480: Internship and EDU 481: Internship Seminar and
3. Satisfactorily complete all requirements for a bachelor's degree as set forth elsewhere in the catalog
 

Technology Competency Skills


Saint Leo University Technology Competency Skills                                             

Technology is threaded through our personal, professional, and educational interactions. To successfully manage these interactions - specifically relating to education and employment - our students must have the ability to navigate and operate essential computer functions, beyond social media. Demonstrating competency of basic technology skills is essential for the success of all Saint Leo University students.

Saint Leo University requires undergraduate students to demonstrate technology competency prior to degree conferral. These technology competency skills can be satisfied through a waiver exam, microcredential module, or academic course (COM-140 or equivalent, earning a grade of C or better within 10 years). Education majors should complete EDU 228: Educational Technology to fulfill the technology requirement. Students should meet with their advisors to discuss options and establish a plan to satisfy the graduation requirement.

Technology Competency Skills Microcredential:

A self-paced, online module designed to develop and reinforce computer competencies and literacy. The module introduces general computer operations using current computing technologies and software. Selected topics include the Internet, security and safety, digital communication practices, operating systems, as well as creating and evaluating documents, worksheets, and presentations. Guidelines for selecting computer hardware and software are addressed. Satisfactory completion of this microcredential meets the Saint Leo University Technology Competency Skills graduation requirement. Upon completion of the microcredential, students will earn a digital badge. This badge can be shared as confirmation of demonstrated skill and ability. This course is not covered by financial aid.

Technology Competency Skills Waiver Exam:

Students may take the technology competency skills waiver exam to satisfy the Saint Leo University technology competency skill requirement. The Waiver Exam tests your knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Windows, and the Internet. The exam is Pass/Fail and you must receive a minimum score of 74% to pass. 

University Campus Only Course Requirements


University Explorations (42 credit hours)


Education Prerequisites (6 credit hours)


General Elective Credits: Complete enough general elective credit hours to fulfill total hours required for degree completion.


Total Credits: 120