Secondary Education - Life Science

Husson's Alternative Teacher Certification - Secondary Life Science program is uniquely designed for motivated individuals who already possess a bachelor's degree and are interested in changing careers. Candidates who pursue this alternative route to teacher certification have previous career experiences which have helped to develop skills that are beneficial to the teaching profession. These individuals embrace high performance standards for themselves and others. Teaching is a career that will draw upon their strong content background, varied life experiences, enjoyment of the learning process, and strong interpersonal skills in order to communicate well with students, parents, and colleagues. Upon completion, you will fulfill the requirements for Pathways II Teaching Certification through the Maine Department of Education.

The Secondary Life Science certification program will prepare you to innovatively teach the life science courses in a middle school or high school setting (grades 7-12), in either the public or private sector. The School of Education faculty understands that successful secondary education teachers possess strong content expertise, extensive knowledge of pedagogy, and the ability to meaningfully respond to the unique developmental needs of adolescent learners. Your competence will develop as you learn about and apply best practices for teaching adolescents as they explore scientific concepts and principles. Science teachers play a vital role in cultivating an appreciation and understanding of the life sciences through demonstrations, experimentation, research, and applications to current issues. They help students view the world of life science in relation to their health, nature, values, and everyday activities.