Degree in Secondary Education
Teaching is more than a job — it’s a calling to mentor, motivate, instruct and inspire a love of learning in tomorrow’s future leaders. If you are looking to get your start in this noble profession, then look no further than Peru State College — Nebraska’s first college, established as a teacher training school in 1867.
Drawing on a rich history of teacher education programs, our bachelor’s degree in secondary education can be the credential you need to teach a host of subjects — math, history, social studies, biology, chemistry, physics, art, theater, psychology, economics, English, Spanish, health, physical education, industrial arts, technology, English as a second language and many more.
Tailor your education to your interests with a choice of field and subject endorsements as you grow your skills through dynamic classroom instruction and authentic teaching experiences with students in area schools. All programs endorse the student to teach the subject or field in grades 7–12 in the state of Nebraska unless otherwise indicated.
Earn your degree at a college that’s nationally recognized for affordability.
Learn from expert faculty with professional experience in corrections, law enforcement and related occupations.
Receive personalized attention with a 19:1 student-
to-faculty ratio.
Get real-world experience through hands-on, experiential learning informed by industry leaders.
Enjoy a generous transfer policy (up to 90 hours*) and opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.
Tailor your education to your interests with a choice of three concentrations.
Why Earn a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education?
The bachelor’s in secondary education degree program from Peru State College prepares students to educate learners in high school and middle school in a wide range of potential fields and subjects. As a student in our program, you will learn how to manage diverse classrooms, create lesson plans and curriculums that foster and motivate learning, and provide professional instruction that meets each student’s needs and interests. By the time you complete our program, you will be a capable and confident educator with the skills and confidence to help students succeed in high school and beyond.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Degree
Earning a bachelor’s in secondary education can bring you many benefits:
Job security. Good teachers are a school’s greatest asset. When you choose to become a secondary teacher, you choose a profession that’s known for job security. Public schools in particular often have teachers unions that not only help keep good educators in the classroom, but also promote great benefits, including pensions.
Endless variety. Every day is different when you are a teacher. While you can count on a certain amount of familiarity — for example, you’ll spend much of your time planning lessons, teaching classes, grading papers, attending meetings and communicating with parents — the job also brings variety as you work with diverse learners from different families, backgrounds and cultures.
Career advancement. Your bachelor’s degree in secondary education opens the door to a career in teaching, but it’s also just the beginning. As a teacher, you’ll have the opportunity — and occasionally, the need — to pursue additional certifications and credentials to keep your career moving forward. And should you decide to further your education with a master’s degree to pursue areas such as curriculum and instruction design or educational leadership, your bachelor’s degree will serve as a strong foundation from which to do that.
Meaningful work. If you are looking for a career in which you can make a difference in the world, teaching should be near the top of your list. As an educator, your job is to help young people succeed — not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. Helping to shape the future of the next generation of young men and women — and the future of society in general — is one of the greatest responsibilities and most rewarding opportunities imaginable.
Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Degree Careers
Students completing a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Peru State College are prepared to attend the nation’s top graduate schools and pursue positions such as:
- Secondary math teacher
- Secondary science teacher
- Secondary English teacher
- Secondary social studies teacher
- Secondary business, marketing and information technology (BMIT) teacher
- Secondary art teacher
- Secondary music teacher
- Secondary physical education teacher
- Reading specialist K–12
- Education foundation executive director
Typical Salaries for Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Degree Graduates
A bachelor’s in secondary education from Peru State College can prepare you for a multitude of careers with median salaries like these:
High School Science Teacher
$45,360*
High School Math Teacher
$45,900*
Physical Education Teacher
$49,750*
High School Music Teacher
$50,000*
Reading Specialist K–12
$55,250*
Education Foundation Executive Director
$98,980**
*Salary info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Why Choose Peru State for Your Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Degree?
At Peru State College, we are fiercely committed to quality learning — and proudly so. For more than 150 years, we’ve been devoted to academic excellence, continually improving, growing and putting student success first. As a student in our secondary education program, you will enjoy:
● A relevant and rewarding education at an institution known for preparing qualified
educators
● Expert faculty, many of whom are experienced former educators
● A 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio to ensure you receive personalized attention
● Contemporary coursework that is reviewed and updated on a continual basis
● Our Teaching Experience Learning Lab (TELL), which provides state-of-the-art technology
and flexible classroom seating to model the classrooms in which you will teach
● Personal advising guidance from your professors and the dean, who will later serve
as career references
● School-to-student partnerships offering opportunities to engage authentically with
area school children and their parents at events throughout the year
● Diverse scholarship opportunities, including Foundation Scholarships offering more
than 175 scholarships to students funded through the private support of alumni and
friends
● Career services, including resources and knowledge to help you explore career paths,
write resumes and cover letters, prepare for job interviews, find job and internship
opportunities, research salaries and more
● A variety of professional, social, academic, cultural, spiritual and volunteer-based
organizations to help you meet new friends and explore your interests
Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Degree Curriculum
The bachelor’s in secondary education program is thoughtfully designed to provide students with a challenging and relevant curriculum that includes coursework in topics such as learning and developmental patterns, curriculum and content creation, instruction, assessment and professional self-evaluation.
In addition to the core coursework, students will choose one of the following field endorsements to tailor their education to their goals and interests:
- Art (K–12)
- Business, Marketing and Information Technology (6–12)
- English Language Arts (7–12)
- Health and Physical Education (PK–12)
- Mathematics (6–12)
- Music Vocal/Instrumental (K–12)
- Science (7–12)
- Social Science (7–12)
In addition, the following subject endorsements are available:
See our Programs and Courses page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Completing your bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Peru State College can help you make a difference for young people, families and communities in roles that include:
- High school math teacher
- High school science teacher
- High school English teacher
- High school music teacher
- Reading specialist K–12
Should you wish to further your education by pursuing a master’s degree, you can open doors to additional roles in educational leadership and areas such as curriculum and instruction design.
The median annual salary for professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from a U.S. higher education institution was about $65,000 as of February 2023, according to Payscale.
Most students complete our bachelor’s in secondary education program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner.
Yes. Peru State College is accredited under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards through the CAEP Accreditation System.