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Secondary Endorsements
Interested in teaching 5th - 12th grade? There are options for you to major in both secondary education and an approved secondary academic content area.
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Program Overview
If you're interested in teaching 5th - 12th graders and want to specialize in a particular area of study such as mathematics, English, Spanish, engineering, and more, Dordt offers plenty of options to help you realize your dreams.
What You'll Learn
At Dordt, you’ll learn to teach from a biblical perspective. In a world where culture is constantly changing and challenging your faith, you’ll learn the fundamentals that will help you remain true to your faith and adapt and stay relevant in the classroom.
What You Can Do With A Secondary Endorsement
As an education major at Dordt, you will be prepared to teach confidently and skillfully. Your education will be broader than just classes; you’ll also get hands-on experience working in local schools and programs. Dordt education graduates are highly sought-after in the teaching world; principals and administrators tell us that they put Dordt graduate resumes at the top of the pile.
You'll also major in an approved secondary academic content area in addition to completing a secondary education major.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Secondary subject area classroom emphasis major
Completion of the Education Major: Secondary Sequence along with one of the following subject area majors prepares the student for specialized subject area teaching in grades 5-12 and allows the student to obtain the endorsement indicated. (The term “endorsement” and the endorsement numbers are part of the Iowa licensure code.)
Endorsement 112
Agriculture 101, 105, 111, 201, 221, 232, 252, 290, 302, 312, 322, 370; Biology 125; Chemistry 110 or 111. (Education 353 and 391 are required as professional methods of teaching courses.)
Endorsement 114
Art 201, 202, 216, 370; three courses from Art 207, 208, 209, 210; three courses from Art 218, 225, 228, 230, 240; two courses from Art 302, 316, 318, 325, 328, 330, 340. (Education 350 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Single Academic Program
Endorsement 151
Biology 122, 125, 180, 200, 215; three 3- or 4-credit courses from: Biology 210 or above, Agriculture 251, 315 (at least seven credits must be in biology); Chemistry 111 or 122 (Chemistry 122 recommended). (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Multiple Academic Program
Endorsement 151
Biology 122, 125, 180, 200, 215. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 1171
Business Administration 100, 205, 206; two courses from Business Administration 200, 201, 202; Business Administration 301 or 302; one course from Business Administration 304, 306, 308; Economics 202, 203; one course from English 305, Communication 220, 228. (Education 359 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Single Academic Program Majors
Endorsement 152: Chemistry
Chemistry 111, 180, 212, 225, 231, 271, 360; three credits from chemistry courses numbered 200 or above; Mathematics 152. Chemistry 305 recommended. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.) Note: Mathematics 152 will fulfill the Core Program quantitative reasoning requirement for education majors.
Multiple Academic Program Majors
Endorsement 152: Chemistry
Chemistry 111, 180, 212, 122 or 225, 251, 252. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
***requirements not on catalog
Endorsement 974
Completion of an Engineering or Engineering Science Major (see page 101, Engineering). (Education 353 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.) Engineering or Engineering Science is an additional major so students should work with their advisors to plan their academic program completion timeline, which may require additional semesters.
***requirements not on catalog
Endorsement 120
Education 155; English 210, 311, 313, 321, 322, 336; two courses from English 233, 241, 301, 302, 304; one course from English COURSES FOR MAJORS; CORE 110. English 203, 312, and 333 recommended. (Education 354 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 1201
Education 155, 265; English 210, 241, 321, 322, 336; English 311 or 313; one course from English 233, 301, 302, 304; one course from English 205, 311, 312, 313, 317, 318; Communication 240, 314; CORE 110; Theatre Arts 102, 384. (Education 354 and 358 are required as professional methods of teaching courses.)
Endorsements 124
French 101, 102, 201, 202, 204, 206; Linguistics 201; four semesters of French 251-258. Six credits
in study abroad courses to include advanced French study are required. (Education 355 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
A. Endorsements 158: American History
History 201, 280, 380; one course from History 212, 213, 214; three world history electives from History 212, 213, 214, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 230, 319, 321, 326, 327, 328, 329, 335, 341- 344; four American history electives from History 202, 301, 306, 307, 308. History 388 or 389 strongly recommended. (Education 356 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
B. Endorsement 166: World History
History 230, 280, 380; one course from History 212, 213, 214; seven history courses numbered above 201. A maximum of three courses may be from History 202, 301, 306, 307, 308, 345-348. At least three courses must be 300-level. History 388 or 389 strongly recommended. (Education 356 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Students who complete a history major can add an endorsement in American government, economics, psychology, or sociology by completing fifteen semester hours in one of these social sciences:
- Endorsement 157–American Government. Political Science 202, 214, 322, 333, 370
- Endorsement 160–Economics: Economics 202, 203, 303; two courses from Economics 309, 315, 321, 334. (Note: Economics 309, 315, 321, and 334 are offered in alternate years.)
- Endorsement 163–Psychology. Psychology 201, 210, 362; two courses from Psychology 218, 224, 374, 376
- Endorsement 165–Sociology. Sociology 201, 216; three electives in sociology
Endorsement 140
Engineering Technology 101, 112, 113, 114, 202, 211, 212, 213; Statistics 131; CORE 268; a minimum of four credits from Engineering Technology 271-276. (Education 363 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 143: Mathematics
Mathematics 152, 153, 203, 207, 208, 212, 215, 291, 304, 311, 390, 392; Computer Science 115; Statistics 131 or 132. (Education 357 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsements 143 and 974: Mathematics/Engineering
Engineering 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 170, 202, 204, 208; Engineering 310 or 390; Mathematics 152, 153, 208, 212, 215, 304, 390; Physics 231; Statistics 131 or 132. (Education 353 and 357 are required as professional methods of teaching courses.)
Endorsements 143 and 156: Mathematics/Physics
Computer Science 115; Mathematics 152, 153, 208, 212, 215, 304, 390; Physics 231, 232, 324; Statistics 131 or 132. (Education 353 and 357 are required as professional methods of teaching courses.)
Endorsements 143 and 278: Mathematics/Computer Science
Mathematics 152, 153, 208, 212, 215, 304, 390; Computer Science 115, 205; Computer Science 215 or 331; two additional credits from Computer Science; Statistics 131. (Education 357 and 361 are required as professional methods of teaching courses.)
Endorsement 145: Music-Choral Education
Music 103, 103L, 104, 104L, 203, 203L, 204, 206, 207, 208, 215, 222, 315, 323; one course from Music 205, 211, 305; Music 19; six semesters of Music 09; four semesters of Music 240; one additional semester from Music 240, 250, 260, 270; six semesters of Concert Choir or Chorale. (The following are required as professional methods of teaching courses: Music 312, 313, 316, 317.)
Endorsement 145: Music-Instrumental Music Education
Music 103, 103L, 104, 104L, 203, 203L, 204, 206, 207, 208, 215, 305, 315, 316-319; Music 19; six semesters of Music 09; four semesters of Music 270; Music 240 or 04; one additional semester from Music 240, 250, 260, 270; six semesters of Band or Orchestra. (The following are required as professional methods of teaching courses: Music 312, 314, 323.)
Endorsement 145: Music-Choral/Instrumental Music Education
Music 103, 103L, 104, 104L, 203, 203L, 204, 206, 207, 208, 215, 222, 305, 315, 316-319, 323; Music 19; six semesters of Music 09; four semesters of Music 240; four semesters of Music 270; four semesters of Concert Choir or Chorale; four semesters of Band or Orchestra. (The following are required as professional methods of teaching courses: Music 312, 313, 314.)
Endorsement 147
Biology 203; HHP 101, 205, 206, 207, 208, 308, 325; two courses from HHP 212-217. (Note: HHP 212-217 are half-courses.) (Education 360 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Single Academic Program Majors
Endorsement 156: Physics
Physics 231, 232, 305, 324; Mathematics 152, 153; three courses from Physics 220, 325, 326, 331, 337, 393. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Note: Mathematics 152 and 153 are pre or corequisites for Physics 231 and 232 and will fulfill the Core Program quantitative reasoning requirement for education majors. Most of the 300 level courses have additional prerequisites.
Multiple Academic program Majors
Endorsement 156: Physics
Physics 231, 232, 324; Mathematics 152, 153; one course from Physics 220, 325, 326, 331, 337, 393. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.) Mathematics 152 and 153 will fulfill the Core Program quantitative reasoning requirement for education majors. Most of the course options have additional prerequisites.
Endorsement 186: American Government, American History, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, World History
History 201, 280; two courses from History 301, 306, 307, 308, 388*; one course from History 212, 213, 214; two courses from CORE 145, History 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 230, 319, 326, 329, 335, 389* (students planning to teach in Canada are advised to take 230); Political Science 202, 214; Political Science 201 or 210; Psychology 201; one course from Psychology 210, 218, 224; Sociology 201; one course from Sociology 215, 216, 225; Geography 151; Geography 201 or 202; Economics 202, 203; Statistics 131. History 380 strongly recommended. (Education 356 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.) *Note: History 380 is a prerequisite for History 388 and 389
Endorsement 261: Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate
Education 145, 165, 210, 252, 253, 265, 271, 272, 314, 317. (Education 315 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.) *Note: This is not a stand-alone major. It must be combined with an additional content area endorsement
Endorsement 134
Spanish 201, 202, 204 or 206, 300, 301, 302, 304; Linguistics 201; one course from Spanish 102, 207, 341-348, 393; four semesters of Spanish 251-258. Six credits in study-abroad courses are required. (Students completing both the Spanish and ESL endorsements must take Linguistics 301 and Spanish 301L instead of Spanish 301.) (Education 355 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Secondary subject area classroom emphasis with an additional academic minor
Completion of the Secondary Subject Area Classroom Emphasis Major along with a subject area major (described above) may add an additional grade 5-12 teaching endorsement by completing one of the following subject area minors. (The term “endorsement” and the endorsement numbers are part of the Iowa licensure code.)
Endorsement 157
Political Science 201, 202, 214, 322, 333, 370; two courses from Political Science 245, 335, Criminal Justice 101. One course taken on the American Studies Program may be substituted for one of the courses. (Education 356 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 114
Art 201, 202, 216; two courses from Art 207, 208, 209, 210; two courses from Art 218, 225, 228, 230, 240; one course from Art 302, 316, 318, 325, 328, 330, 340. (Education 350 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
No state endorsement is available
Theology 324, 331; two courses from Theology 211, 212, 213, 214; two courses from Theology 215, 216, 217, 323. (Education 261 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 151
Biology 122, 125, 180, 200, 215; a minimum of seven additional credits from: biology courses numbered above 210, Agriculture 251, 315. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 152
Chemistry 111, 180, 212, 225, 251, 252; a minimum of seven additional credits from Chemistry 231, 271, 321, 322, 323, 360, 362. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 120
Education 155; English 210, 306, 336; English 321 or 322; English 311 or 313; one course from English 233, 241, 301, 302, 304; one course from English COURSES FOR MAJORS. (Education 354 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Specialization
Education 355; English 336; Linguistics 201, 301.
Endorsement 138
Biology 203; HHP 101, 202, 205, 207, 209, 211; Sociology 225. (Education 360 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 166
History 280, 380; one course from History 212, 213, 214; three courses from History 201, 202, 220, 221, 223, 224, 225, 230; two courses from History 319, 326, 327, 329, 335. (Education 356 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 143
Mathematics 152, 153, 203, 208, 212, 215, 390; Computer Science 115; Statistics 131 or 132. (Education 357 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Teacher candidates earn middle school teaching endorsements by completing Education 202, 265, 336, 239 or 369 and at least two of the following fields of specialization. (Education 239 or 369 must be completed in a grade 5-8 classroom.) Teacher candidates must take one methods course from Education 331, 332, 333, 334, 351, 353, 354, 356 or 357 related to their field of specialization.
Endorsement 1821: English/Language Arts
English 306, 336; Education 155; one course from English 203, 317, 318; one course from CORE 110, Communication 311, 314.
Endorsements 1421 and 1822: Mathematics
Mathematics 108, 149; one course from Mathematics 115, 203, 304; Mathematics 128 or 208; one course from Statistics 131, 132, 138.
Endorsement 1823: Science
One course from Chemistry 110, 111, Physics 215; one course from Biology 125, CORE 211, 212; one course from Earth Science 121, 152, 201.
Endorsement 1824: Social Studies
History 201 or 202; one course from History 212, 213, 214; Geography 151; Political Science 201.
Endorsement 147
Biology 203; HHP 101, 205, 206, 207, 208, 308; three credits from HHP 212-217, 325. (Note: HHP 212-217 are half-courses.) (Education 360 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 156
Physics 231, 232, 324, 325; three elective courses in physics. Most of the course options have additional prerequisites. (Education 351 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 134
Spanish 201, 202, 204 or 206, 300, 301, 302; Linguistics 201; three semesters of Spanish 251-258; one course from Spanish 304, 341-348, 393. Three credits in study-abroad courses are required. (Students completing both the Spanish and ESL endorsements must take Linguistics 301 and Spanish 301L instead of Spanish 301.) (Education 355 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 261: Instructional Strategist: Mild/Moderate
Education 145, 165, 210, 252, 253, 314, 317. (Education 315 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 168
Communication 180, 240, 241, 314; CORE 110; Theatre Arts 102, 103, 382, 384. Communication 311 and Education 262 recommended. (Education 358 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)
Endorsement 976: Grades 5-8
One course from Chemistry 110, 111, Physics 215; one course from Biology 125, CORE 211, 212; one course from Earth Science 121, 152, 201; Computer Science 115; Engineering 112; STEM 111, 112; Mathematics 152 or four math courses to include Mathematics 108, 115, 149 and Statistics 131 or 132. (Education 353 and Education 357 are required as a professional methods of teaching courses.) This endorsement must accompany a 5-12 science, mathematics, or industrial technology endorsement.
Noyce Scholars Program
Education students can also learn to teach STEM subjects at the secondary or post-secondary level. The Dordt Noyce Scholars Program has been established to encourage STEM students to consider a teaching profession.
Noyce Scholars receive $15,000 scholarships each year to support their progress toward teaching licensure in a STEM field.
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Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Seek God and Serve Others
Youbin LeeYoubin was able to overcome his fear of not fitting in as an international student by participating in multiple activities at Dordt that provided him with the invaluable experiences and relationships that helped him flourish.
Youbin Lee
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Tools to Teach
Calvin WunderinkDordt provided Calvin with the tools and experiences he needed to become a competent teacher and prepared him to take a chance, allowing him to teach in the Czech Republic.
Calvin Wunderink
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Growing in Community
Daniel SeamanThe effort that Daniel made to be engaged in the community was what led him to the many opportunities and lessons that he gained at Dordt.
Daniel Seaman
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