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Biology Secondary Education

Students pursuing certification in secondary education can choose from the following majors and minors. Please note that these letter codes are the official certification codes used by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

  • Majors Available: Biology (DA), Chemistry (DC), English (BA), History (CC), Integrated Science (DI), Mathematics (EX), Music Education (JQ), Social Studies (group, RX), Spanish (FF), Special Education (SM)
  • Minors Available: Biology (DA), Chemistry (DC), English (BA), History (CC), Psychology (CE), Spanish (FF), Teaching English as a Second Language (NS)

Secondary certification allows graduates to teach in his or her major or minor disciplines for grades six through twelve. Available K-12 endorsements for students of Secondary Education are Music Education, Spanish Education, and Special Education: Learning Disabilities.

Students desiring Michigan certification are responsible for meeting all certification requirements of the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education, whether or not they are explicitly stated in the SAU catalog.

The SOE policies apply to all Spring Arbor University sites. However, procedures for carrying out certain policies may vary from site to site. Certain certifiable majors and minors are available at the main campus only. A student wishing to participate in these majors and minors must register for and attend classes at SAU’s main campus in Spring Arbor, Michigan.

For more information on the elementary and secondary education programs at Spring Arbor University, visit SAU’s School of Education webpage.

Key Courses

The Biology Secondary Education major has a total of 145 credit hours. The major courses are:

  • BIO 111 Introductory Biology
  • BIO 112 Introductory Biology II 4
  • BIO 206 Genes and Speciation 3
  • BIO 261 Human Anatomy 4
  • BIO 305 Principles of Genetics 4
  • BIO 352 Microbiology 4
  • BIO 362 Principles of Ecology 4

Choose from one of the following:

  • BIO 321 Parasitology 4
  • BIO 330 Plant Organismal Biology 4
  • BIO 342 Vertebrate Zoology 4
  • BIO 345 Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology

To view more course requirements and descriptions, see the undergraduate catalog.

Career Opportunities

Students with the Biology Secondary Education major have several fulfilling options for future careers. While most students in this program wish to teach in public, private, or charter schools, other students have pursued pre-professional training in preparation for advanced study in:

  • Human medicine
  • Nursing
  • Dentistry
  • Physical therapy
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Other medical professions

Some biology majors intend to continue their education in graduate school, possibly to find careers in:

  • Research
  • Wildlife management
  • Resource management
  • College Professors

To learn more about how Spring Arbor helps its graduates prepare for a career, visit our career development page.