Categorical Biology (Grades 9-12) Certification

CIP Code: 13.1322

Content areas for secondary certification (9-12) include the following: Business Education, English, Mathematics, Social Science, Speech/Theatre, and Unified Science with an endorsement in either Biology or Chemistry. Post-baccalaureate certification-only students (those who already hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university with an approved teacher education program) may opt to pursue either the Unified Science certification or the categorical Biology, Chemistry, or General Science certifications. Driver Education is available as an add-on area.

Note: Secondary candidates may opt to complete certification in one or two content areas. In addition, secondary certification may be combined with middle school certification in the same content area, earning subject-specific certification in grades 5-12.

Content area courses are undergraduate-only unless otherwise noted.

Certification-only students (students who already hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university with an approved teacher education program) may opt to pursue either the Unified Science certification listed above or the categorical Biology, Chemistry, or General Science certifications, which follow:

Professional Requirements

See your advisor for certification requirements.

EDUC 201 - Professional Growth and Folio Development I (Must be taken first semester of enrollment) ¹
EDUC 203 - Teaching in a Diverse Society (Must be taken with EDUC 201) ¹
ECTA 323 - Curriculum, Assessment, and Data-Based Decision Making ¹
EDPS 383 - Psychology of Teaching and Learning ¹
EDUC 303 - Methods of Teaching and Differentiated Instruction ¹
EDUC 573 - Applications of Technology Semester Hours: Three
PSYC 553 - Advanced Human Development Semester Hours: Three
EDUC 401 - Professional Growth and Folio Development II (Must be taken the semester prior to student teaching) ²
EDPS 453/553 - The Exceptional Child Semester Hours: Three
EDRD 423/523 - Integration of Literacy in Content Areas: Seminar and Field Experience Semester Hours: Three ‡
EDRD 463/563 - Reading and Writing Strategies for Middle and Secondary Content Areas Semester Hours: Three
ETOP 423/523 - Classroom and Behavior Management Semester Hours: Three
EDUC 471 - Student Teaching Seminar (must be taken concurrently with ESCL 5712 or ESCL 5709+5703 or ESCL 5709+EMCL 5703) ³

Total: 36-39

¹Undergraduate-only courses required for admission to the Teacher Education Program.
²Undergraduate-only course required in preparation for approval to student teach.
³Undergraduate-only course required in conjunction with Student Teaching.
‡Students who transfer in a course for EDRD 423/523 which does not include an equivalent field experience must complete: EDCL 420/520 Field Experience with English Language Learners

Instructional Strategies and Techniques in Content Specialty Area

EDMS 483/583 - Teaching Science for Middle Secondary: Seminar and Field Experience Semester Hours: Three

Field and Clinical Experiences

See your advisor for certification requirements.

EDCL 211 - Teaching Field Experience I Semester Hours: One (must be in grades 9-12 in a high school setting) ¹
EDUC 210 - Field Experience I Seminar Semester Hours: Zero (must be taken concurrently with EDCL 211) ¹
EDCL 511 - Teaching Field Experience II Semester Hours: One (must be in grades 9-12 in a high school setting, different grade than 211)*
EDUC 510 - Field Experience II Seminar Semester Hours: Zero (must be taken concurrently with EDCL 511 )
ESCL 5712 - Student Teaching: Secondary Semester Hours: Twelve (must be in grades 9-12 in a high school setting, different grade than EDCL 211 or EDCL 511)
OR (for those pursuing two secondary content areas)
ESCL 5709 - Student Teaching: Secondary Semester Hours: Nine (must be in grades 9-12 in the primary content area)
ESCL 5703 - Student Teaching: Secondary Semester Hours: Three (must be in grades 9-12 in the add-on content area)
OR (for those pursuing secondary/middle combined)
ESCL 5709 - Student Teaching: Secondary
Semester Hours: Three (must be in grades 9-12 in a secondary school setting)
EMCL 5703 - Student Teaching: Middle School Semester Hours: Three (must be in grades 5-9 in a middle school setting, different grade level than EDCL 411/511)*

Total: 14 Hours

¹Undergraduate-only courses

*Candidates pursuing secondary/middle combined certification must complete EDCL 511 in a middle school setting.

Core Requirements

BIOL 113+111 - General Biology I
BIOL 123+121 - General Biology II
BIOL 343+341 - Genetics
BIOL 423 Cell - Biology

Elective(s): Any biology course(s) beyond 113+111 and 123+121, not otherwise required – 5 hours

CHEM 133 + 132 - General Chemistry I
PHYS 123 + 122 - Geology and Earth Science
PHYS 213 + 211 - General Physics I
OR
PHYS 133 + 131 - College Physics I
BIOL 323A+321A - Environmental Science and Conservation
OR
BIOL 323B - Ecology
IDST 313 - History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

MBU enrollment tops 5,600 students

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