Department of Education
Division of Social Sciences
The Secondary Education Certification Program prepares students to be certified to teach middle or high school students through foundational coursework, practical field experiences, and a full-time teaching internship.
Students completing the Secondary Education Certification Program will also complete the Education Studies Minor.
Note that students must complete 2 of the 4 required courses and a field experience through Washington College in order to complete the minor and the certification program.
Washington College was the first college in Maryland to offer an undergraduate pathway to teacher certification in Computer Science and is the only college to offer undergraduates certification in Environmental Science!
Secondary Education Certification Requirements
Washington College has fifteen Maryland Approved Secondary Certification Programs: biology, business education, chemistry, computer science, English, environmental science, mathematics, physics, social studies, and theatre (grades 7-12); and art, French, German, music, and Spanish (PreK-12). The number and specificity of courses required for certification in these subject areas vary, with social studies, computer science, and English having more extensive state requirements.
The following education courses are required for students who wish to become certified as secondary teachers:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| EDU 216 | Clinical Field Experience - Secundary | 1 |
| EDU 217 | Clinical Field Experience - Secundary | 1 |
| EDU 251 | Principles of Education | 4 |
| EDU 252 | Educational Psychology | 4 |
| EDU 307 | Literacy in the Content Area | 4 |
| EDU 330 | Diversity & Inclusion | 4 |
| EDU 401 | Principles of Teaching I: Secondary | 4 |
| EDU 403 | Special Methods in the Teaching Field 1 | 4 |
| EDU 404 | Secondary Teaching Internship | 2 |
| EDU 405 | Secondary Teaching Internship | 8 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
EDU 401 Principles of Teaching I: Secondary, EDU 403 Special Methods in the Teaching Field, and EDU 405 Secondary Teaching Internship make up the “Education Block” internship taken Fall Semester of the senior year or the Fall Semester after graduation.
EDU 307 Literacy in the Content Area meets Maryland Literacy I and II Secondary Requirements (together with EDU 401 Principles of Teaching I: Secondary & EDU 404 Secondary Teaching Internship).
Students who wish to be certified in English should consider completing EDU 315 Traditional & Modern Grammar and EDU 354 Children's & Young Adult Literature / ENG 342 Children's & Young Adult Literature.
To be certified in computer science, students must complete CSI 440 Computer Networks and CSI 450 Data Ethics and Practicum from the major requirements.
Students who major in environmental science may apply for certification in biology, chemistry, or environmental science, depending on the courses they have taken. Students are encouraged to work with department and major advisors, as they must plan their programs carefully to meet all course requirements.
Students majoring in history, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, international studies, and American studies may be eligible for certification in social studies and do their student teaching in social studies. They must plan their programs carefully to meet all requirements.
Students from majors other than history who pursue social studies certification should take the following core courses (history majors are recommended to take ECN 111 Principles of Macroeconomics, POL 102 American Government and Politics, and EDU 311 Human Geography):
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| ECN 111 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| POL 102 | American Government and Politics | 4 |
| EDU 311 | Human Geography (offered Spring even years only) | 4 |
| 20 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Total Credits | 32 |
