Secondary Education
Inspire the next generation and bring knowledge to life.
Why education matters:
At the secondary level, great teachers do more than convey subject matter — they ignite passion and purpose in their students. High school classrooms are places where ideas take shape, career interests emerge, and young people begin to define their place in the world. Teachers who lead these classrooms must be not only content experts but also role models and motivators, ready to guide students through both intellectual and personal growth.
How secondary education is taught at Muhlenberg:
This minor, paired with a major in your intended teaching subject (biology, chemistry, English literatures or creative writing, French, Spanish, mathematics, physics or history), leads to certification in grades 7–12. You’ll work closely with two faculty advisors — one in your major and one in education — to create a plan that integrates disciplinary knowledge with classroom pedagogy. Fieldwork begins early and continues throughout your coursework, culminating in a professional semester of full-time teaching. For students who want to deepen their credentials, the 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program offers a fast-tracked path to an advanced degree and full certification in just five years.
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Secondary education students pair their subject-area major with coursework in educational psychology, curriculum design, inclusive practices, and teaching methods specific to their discipline. They explore the broader context of U.S. education and develop the pedagogical skills needed to translate content knowledge into engaging instruction for adolescent learners.
Students complete structured fieldwork throughout their coursework, gaining experience in varied secondary classrooms. The program’s capstone is a semester-long teaching experience, which includes two full-time placements under the supervision of experienced educators and Muhlenberg faculty. These immersive experiences build the confidence and adaptability essential for impactful teaching.
Isabelle Hoffman ’26
I always did math on pen and paper and I grasped the concepts so easily. I was interested to see if technology was really helping students learn and prepare them for when they graduate high school, or if it's actually something we should start decreasing in the classroom.READ ABOUT HOFFMAN'S RESEARCH
Katie Bucher Teaches Tomorrow’s Teachers
Bucher is helping to build a community of critically minded educators who will support one another even after they’ve embarked on their teaching careers.
Pathways to Studying Education at Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg offers several pathways for students interested in education. You can major in Elementary Education, pursue a Secondary Education minor alongside an approved academic major, or explore teaching and learning through the non-certification Elementary Studies minor.
Elementary Education Major
Students interested in a direct pathway toward a PreK-4 teacher certification can major in elementary education and learn the foundational tools for teaching young learners through a curriculum that's deeply rooted in the liberal arts.
Education Studies Minor
Muhlenberg’s Education Studies minor offers an interdisciplinary exploration of education, with an emphasis on critical thinking, reflective practice, and real-world application. Courses examine topics such as the politics of schooling, inclusive education, and the psychology of learning.
Valerie Weisler '20, a self-designed education advocacy major, was named a 2019 Truman Scholar and established the Validation Project to advocate for children's rights, youth empowerment, and educator support.
Powerful Outcomes
A Muhlenberg education sets you up for success. The liberal arts will hone your ability to think critically, communicate, and problem-solve, skills that are in high demand across all employment sectors.
Education News
Katelen Estrada ’29 Interns With Civic Theatre of Allentown
Estrada, a theatre and education double major, was the production stage manager for two shows and worked with middle and high school students.
Read MoreAndrew Walters ’28 Interns With Jewish Nonprofit
The Jewish studies and elementary education double major is working with Jewish Learning Venture, which is based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.
Read MoreJon Cohen ’25 Is Awarded Competitive NSF Research Fellowship
Cohen, a biophysical chemistry Ph.D. student at Cornell University, will receive three years of funding through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
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