B.S. in Middle and Secondary Education

Would you like to work with young adults (ages 10-14)?

Would you like to work with early adolescents (ages 10-14)?

If so, our middle school teacher preparation program may be for you! Our program allows you to choose two teaching areas (see options below) and prepares you to work in grades 5-9.

We also have K-12 teaching programs in two World Languages, Spanish and French.

Each program provides many enriching experiences in local classrooms with expert teachers.

Admission to the professional phase of the program is competitive. Teacher education candidates should read the "How to Apply" section for more information about admission to the professional phase of the program.

Degree/Certification options

Middle Grades (grades 5-9)
  • English and Mathematics
  • Mathematics and Science
  • Mathematics and Social Studies
  • Social Studies and English
  • English and Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD grades P – 12)
  • Mathematics and Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD grades P – 12)
  • Social Studies and Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD grades P – 12)
All Grades (P-12)
  • French
  • Spanish

Would you like to work with adolescents (ages 14-18)?

If so, our high school teacher preparation program may be for you! This program develops your expertise in one teaching area (see options below) and prepares you to work in grades 8-12.

We also have K-12 teaching programs in two World Languages, Spanish and French.

Each program provides many enriching experiences in local classrooms with expert teachers.

Admission to the professional phase of the program is competitive. Teacher education candidates should read the "How to Apply" section for more information about admission to the professional phase of the program.

Degree/Certification options

Secondary/High School (grades 8-12)
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth and Space Science
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Social Studies
All Grades (P-12)
  • French
  • Spanish

CEHD Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework focuses on three guiding principles – inquiry, action, and advocacy – as these are learned in the classroom, applied through habitual and skillful practice, and internalized as a means of solving problems and improving the lives of children, families, and communities. The teacher education program develops teacher education candidates who go on to enhance the lives of others by becoming critical thinkers, problem solvers and professional leaders who advocate for the principles of social justice and equity.

Accreditation: CEHD teacher education programs are fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.

For information on program accreditation click here.

Related

Curriculum Information

For details about each of the degree/certification areas offered, visit the Undergraduate Catalog.

Cohort Model

The professional phase of our programs is offered as a cohort model beginning each Spring or Fall semester. Teacher Education candidates typically enroll in 15-18 credit hours per semester (excluding summers), including both content and education courses.

Program Design

Each semester, teacher education candidates take a set of education courses that include working with teachers in schools to try out the new strategies they are learning. The student teaching semester is an opportunity to co-teach with an expert teacher for 15 full weeks of school. Collectively, the courses and school experiences lead to teacher education candidates becoming experts in their field.

Who may apply to the Professional Phase of the Program?

Undergraduate teacher education candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the professional phase of the teacher education program, and are encouraged to meet with their assigned, academic counselor to evaluate their readiness to apply. Admission is competitive to this rigorous program. Candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.

  1. Minimum test scores on the required PRAXIS and/or ACT tests.
  2. Minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average (based on all college courses completed) or minimum 3.0 grade point average based on the last 30 credit hours completed
  3. Minimum combined grade point average of 3.0 for the following prerequisite courses: EDTP 107 and EDTP 201
  4. Minimum "C" or better in ENGL 102 and Oral Communication course (such as COMM 115)
  5. Completion of at least 45 credit hours of degree applicable course work including General Education Requirements and Education prerequisite courses as determined by assigned academic counselor. At least 9 credit hours of content course work should be completed as well.
  6. Positive dispositions for teaching as determined through Education course assessments and field evaluations. Areas for assessment include: attendance, acceptance of feedback, classroom etiquette, respectful interactions, and punctuality.
  7. Positive classroom and extracurricular experiences which demonstrate creativity, collaboration, communication skills, critical thinking ability, and a disposition of respect for the uniqueness and dignity of all individuals

Teacher education candidates provide support and evidence of positive experiences as explained in 6-7 (above) through professional writing requirements, letters of recommendation, and faculty interview.

This program is open to all eligible candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age.

Teacher education candidates should review the following which outline the expectations of the teaching profession:

  1. Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Personnel [PDF]
  2. CEHD Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement [PDF]
  3. Character and Fitness Questionnaire [PDF]
  4. Professional Dispositions Rubric [PDF]
  5. Diversity Rubric [PDF]
  6. Effective Written Communication Rubric [PDF]

How to apply to the Professional Phase of the Program?

Online Application

Please submit the online application at least four weeks prior to the application deadline. Recommendation requests are automatically sent to the recommenders upon selecting the “Send to Recommender” button. (Applicants may check their application account to check the status of their recommendation requests.) Adequate time should be given to recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline!

Official test scores and transcripts (from other institutions) should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admission prior to the application deadline!

Questions about the online application should be directed to teacher@louisville.edu.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Admission – February 1st by 5:00 p.m.
  • Spring Admission - September 15th by 5:00 p.m.

Please note: If the application deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday immediately following the deadline.

Applicants will be notified via e-mail regarding the admission decision no later than six weeks after the application deadline. Applicants who are selected for admission will receive information about a mandatory orientation session for the program.

Contact Us

Education Advising & Student Services
College of Education and Human Development
Room 140
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Office: 502-852-5597

Advising/Information email: edadvise@louisville.edu

Department email: midscnd@louisville.edu

In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University of Louisville's Financial Aid office, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.

Other financial aid opportunities available include student employment opportunities.

College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) Scholarship

The CEHD has a long history of offering scholarships to prospective and current students pursuing an education degree program. The CEHD provides over $225,000 annually and selects recipients three times per year. Scholarship selection is competitive and applies to tuition only. Apply online for a CEHD Scholarship before the deadline (April 15th, June 1st and/or October 15th). Applicants should expect notification in four to five weeks after the posted deadline.

TEACH Grant

Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides up to $4,000 per year to those who intend to teach in a public or private school that serves students from low-income families. Teachers must be certified in a high-need field. (Amount is pro-rated based on part-time or full-time status up to a maximum of $8,000 for graduate students.)

Applicants must complete the FAFSA (although financial need is not required) and be admitted to the professional portion of the teacher certification program. Applicants must score above the 75th percentile on a college admission test or maintain a cumulative gpa of 3.25 for eligibility.

Recipients must teach for a minimum of four years within eight calendar years of completing the teacher certification program. Those who fail to complete the service obligation must re-pay the loan, with interest charged form the first date of disbursement.