Undergraduate Certificate in Secondary Education, Biology 6–12
Register for an Upcoming Information Session
- 5/7/2025: Secondary Education Program Virtual Information Session — — 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- 5/28/2025: Secondary Education Program Virtual Information Session — — 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- 6/18/2025: Secondary Education Program Virtual Information Session — — 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- 7/9/2025: Secondary Education Program Virtual Information Session — — 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- 7/30/2025: Secondary Education Program Virtual Information Session — — 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Biology teachers, in particular, play an important role in developing the next generation of doctors, nurses, life scientists, and engineers. Their passion for conveying knowledge and an appreciation for living things helps students understand how organisms are connected to each other and to their environments.
This 23-credit certificate is available only to students pursuing a BA or BS in biology. Students who complete both the bachelor's degree and this certificate will be eligible for initial Virginia licensure in secondary education 6–12 with an endorsement in biology.
Teacher Licensure Coursework
- EDRD 419: Literacy Across the Disciplines (3 credits)
- SEED 422: Foundations of Secondary Education (3 credits)
- SEED 440: Human Development, Learning, and Teaching (3 credits)
- SEED 473: Teaching Science in the Secondary School (3 credits)
- SEED 483: Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary School (3 credits)
- SEED 491: Internship Seminar in Secondary Teaching (2 credits)
- SEED 494: Internship: Secondary Education Science (6 credits)
Total Credits: 23
Content Area Requirements for Virginia Licensure
There may be additional coursework that is required for this licensure pathway. In addition to the required courses listed above, this degree pathway leading to licensure, requires coursework in the following areas:
- Genetics
- Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
- Biodiversity or Botany and Zoology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Ecology and Evolution
- Cell Biology with lab
- Physics
- Statistics
- General Chemistry with lab
- Organic Chemistry with lab
- Earth/Space Science
- Field Experience course (could be a course already listed)
- English Composition
*Many of these requirements may be satisfied by Mason Core classes, undergraduate coursework, or any coursework you may have previously completed. Please visit the Content Area Review website. All endorsement requirements are listed on Content Area Review (CAR) Forms also found on this site. A CAR review must be completed upon applying and/or enrolling in this licensure program. Please use the Content Area Review website link above to initiate this process.