Secondary Education

Bachelor's Degree Program

Prepare for exciting teaching opportunities across the state and around the world when you earn your bachelor’s in secondary education at UAF. With this degree, you’ll graduate with a dual major—a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in an approved academic subject area of your choosing, and professional education licensure. An advisor will help plan a course sequence based on your needs.

Your education will include a yearlong teaching internship guided by a mentor teacher, and a variety of field experiences that build on the coursework. By the time you graduate, you’ll already have a year of classroom teaching experience. This hands-on training, in addition to our strong connections with school districts across the state, help to set our graduates apart in the job market.

You can complete the secondary education degree, including the internship, from anywhere in Alaska.

What Is Secondary Education?

Secondary education generally refers to high school (though this will vary by school district) and focuses on preparing students for college and careers. The secondary education program at UAF provides initial teaching licensure for grades 7-12.

Secondary education teachers work at public and private schools and usually specialize in a specific subject area, such as English, math, science or history. In addition to teaching classes in their academic units, they also develop lesson plans, perform student evaluations, and meet with parents and families. Excellent communication skills and patience are essential.

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Quick Facts

Degree type:

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Availability:

  • UAF main campus
  • Anchorage
  • Distance and hybrid

Accredited by:

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

 

Why Study Secondary Education at UAF?

UAF is the only University of Alaska institution that offers a Bachelor of Arts program in secondary education. Not only is our program unique, it’s specially designed to provide training specific to the geographic and cultural context of Alaska. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of who your students are, and where they live—knowledge to prepare you for rewarding, high-paying careers in Fairbanks and across the state.

These are some of the reasons that UAF is one of the best colleges for secondary education majors in Alaska.

Get a year of hands-on teaching experience

  • Our secondary education program features a yearlong internship that gives you the opportunity to work with different schools and grade levels. The internship is guided by a mentor teacher.
  • Numerous fieldwork experiences are built into the program, giving you the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world situations and prepare for a successful internship year.

Earn your bachelor’s degree and initial teaching license from anywhere in Alaska

  • The degree in secondary education at UAF is offered on-site at our main campus in Fairbanks, Alaska, and in Anchorage. The program is also available through distance delivery to all areas of the state.
  • Online classes are highly interactive and collaborative, and feature video-based observations and real-time peer feedback.

Learn from expert teachers and mentors

  • Our secondary education faculty are current or former teachers who understand what it’s like to teach high school, and what’s necessary to excel in Alaska.

Make connections in the community

  • Majors in secondary education benefit from collaborative efforts with academic units at UAF and from School of Education partnerships with a wide range of Alaska’s rural and urban schools and districts.

I appreciate how student-focused staff and faculty are at the UAF School of Education. I always feel that the school is on my side, working hard to help me have a successful academic experience. I feel listened to and respected. My needs and concerns are always addressed in a helpful manner.Melissa Wentzel, Secondary Education Major at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

What Can You Do With Your Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education?

Our graduates teach secondary education in public and private schools across Alaska. They are teachers in large cities and remote villages. Some teach in other parts of the country or in international schools. What they all have in common is a dedication to their students’ success, and a hands-on college education that prepares them to succeed from day one on the job.

Each state has its own unique requirements for authorization. If you are planning to seek a professional license or certificate in a state other than Alaska, please see the state listings website.

 

What Classes Are Required for Secondary Education Majors?

The secondary education degree is awarded as a Bachelor of Arts with a double major. When you choose a major in secondary education, you’ll have the opportunity to select an academic subject area that is approved for a State of Alaska secondary school teaching certificate and available as a B.A. degree. Approved bachelor’s degree programs at UAF include art, biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French, German, history, mathematics, political science or Spanish.

View all required classes for the degree in Secondary education.

Programs Related to Secondary Education

 

Get Started on Your Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education

Take the next step toward earning your degree in secondary education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We have the resources to help you get started.

Talk to an Advisor

Have questions? Our expert advisors are here to guide you every step of the way. Let us know how we can help.

Transfer to UAF

Transferring to UAF? We can walk you through the process and help make sure you get the most out of the credits you’ve earned.

Apply Now and Request More Information

Earn your bachelor’s degree in elementary education at UAF. Submit your application online today.