UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN
Why Study Secondary Education
Hofstra University’s Secondary and K–12 Specialty Subject Education programs prepare future educators to motivate, inspire, and teach at one of the most pivotal moments in students’ lives. Secondary teachers play a defining role in helping adolescents think critically, explore new interests, and imagine who they might become. Whether candidates are passionate about history, science, mathematics, english, the arts, world languages, or physical education, they learn to translate that passion into meaningful instruction that engages and challenges diverse learners.
Offering programs in English Education; Fine Arts Education; Mathematics Education; Music Education; Science Education (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics); Social Studies Education; World Language Education (French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Russian); Physical Education; and Physical Education and Health, our fully accredited programs provide deep content preparation paired with strong pedagogical training. Through innovative facilities, expert faculty mentorship, and extensive field experiences in Long Island and New York City schools, candidates gain the practical skills and real classroom experience needed to thrive. Graduates earn initial New York State certification in the subject they choose and are prepared to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose in today’s secondary/K-12 classrooms.
Inspire the Next Generation
Gain the skills, mentorship, and real classroom experience you need to become an impactful secondary educator. Through strong faculty guidance, meaningful fieldwork, and deep content preparation, you’ll be ready to lead classrooms with confidence and purpose—empowering adolescents to think critically, discover their strengths, and shape their futures
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Finding the Teachable Moments During Crisis
When New York schools closed statewide in March 2020 to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Hofstra’s School of Education had approximately 135 student teachers placed throughout Long Island and the New York metropolitan area. Jay Lewis, associate dean for External Relations, Field Placement, and Recruitment, believed his aspiring teachers could be a critical resource as schools made the transition to digital learning. He started working the phones, making calls to contacts in local school districts to make sure his students could continue their placements.
The result? One hundred percent of Hofstra student teachers continued to teach online.
Degrees & Programs
If you’re planning to teach at the secondary or K-12 level, Hofstra’s program allows you to fully immerse yourself in the subject you love while learning how to teach it well. You’ll begin by declaring a major in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the content area you want to teach, building strong knowledge in your discipline. Then, during your sophomore year, you’ll apply to the School of Education and declare a co-major in education, where you’ll focus on pedagogy, adolescent development, and classroom practice.
This combined approach ensures you graduate not only with a deep understanding of your subject, but with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience to engage students and make your content meaningful in today’s classrooms.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES & PROGRAMS
BA Major in English Education BSEd Major in Dance Education BSEd Major in Fine Arts Education BA Major in Mathematics Education BSEd Major in Music Education BA Major in Science Education BA Major in Social Studies Education BA Major in World Language Education (French, Italian, Spanish, German or Russian) BSEd Major in Physical Education Dual-degree Program in Physical Education and Health (BS) and Health and Physical Education (MS)Career Path & Outcomes
There’s an urgent nationwide need for secondary school teachers, particularly in math, science, and foreign languages. As the educational landscape has changed dramatically over the decades, Hofstra’s School of Education has not only remained current but has led the way for changes in curriculum, policy, and applications of technology. For example, with the help of a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant, our professors are training local high school teachers to use coding in biology curriculum.
Hofstra’s School of Education enjoys a high success rate of placing students in jobs after graduation — both in full-time positions and as replacements for teachers on temporary leave.
91%
Graduates who were employed or in graduate school within a year after graduating.
96%
Employed graduates who landed jobs within three months after graduation; 100% hired within six months after graduation.
$52K
Mean salary reported by graduates in their first year after graduation.
Real Classrooms. Real Impact.
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Graduate classroom-ready with strong fieldwork, expert mentorship, and the skills schools are hiring for right now.