3+1 Middle/Secondary School Education

Middle and high school teachers have a unique role in education—they are masters in their subject matters and guides through students’ transition to adolescence and eventually college. In the 3+1 middle/secondary school education program, you’ll first earn a degree in the particular academic area of your interest. Once the undergraduate program is complete, you’ll seamlessly transition into an accelerated master’s degree in education to prepare you for Massachusetts licensure (at Gordon’s affordable graduate-level tuition rate). Graduate programs are designed for working professionals, so you can spend your days teaching under a provisional license and evenings or weekends pursuing your degree—meaning you earn a year’s worth of experience and a graduate degree in a year.

Why study middle/secondary education at Gordon?

Gordon goes for 100. Gordon's intensely hands-on approach is just one of the reasons that 100 percent of our graduates promptly secure teaching positions if they wish. Add in broad liberal arts exposure through your primary for content mastery, and a firm Christian foundation, and you will be holistically prepared to excel as an effective teacher. Gordon’s program is nationally recognized for graduating top-quality teachers and offering one of the best values. The College maintains a close relationship with the New England League of Middle Schools, and will prepare you to teach your subject—and your students—well.

What careers can I pursue through the middle/secondary education program?

Because of Gordon’s strong emphasis on practical classroom experience, you will be highly qualified for an initial Massachusetts teaching license (and comparable license in all 50 states and U.S. territories), and for a wide range of teaching positions across the country and around the globe, including:

• Public schools 
• Private schools
• Christian schools
• Global missions 

Learn more about jobs and internships ➔

GO THE EXTRA MILE

As an education student, your curriculum takes you the extra mile (quite literally) for hands-on classroom experience at schools on Boston’s North Shore. And you’ll start right away. 

• First year (spring semester): observe and assist middle school teachers and their classrooms once a week. 
• Sophomore year: observe and study the development of adolescent students 
• Junior year: prepare and teach interactive literacy lessons in a local school 
• Senior year (fall semester): spend 60 hours per license* in the classroom where you’ll student-teach, getting to know the school culture, students and curriculum 
• Senior year (spring semester): full-time student-teaching

*With a dual student teaching practicum, you can gain licensure for grades 5–8 and 9–12 in your content field.

Related Programs

You’ll choose a second major as you work toward becoming a highly qualified, well-rounded, licensed educator:

• Art 
• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• French
• History
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Spanish

After earning your bachelor’s degrees, you may choose to continue your studies in Gordon’s Graduate Education program, which will prepare you to become a reading specialist, math specialist or educational leader.