Education - Secondary
Program Description
Students planning to enter the field of secondary education can complete their first two years of study at Arizona Western College. An Associate in Arts degree in Secondary Education will prepare students to transfer to a university and earn their bachelor’s degree. Education majors should consult with their academic advisors concerning the courses required for certification in Arizona and/or graduation from a state university with a bachelor’s degree in education. Secondary education students also need to double major in the discipline they wish to teach in high school.
Graduates of these programs will successfully complete the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an awareness of and a beginning understanding of the teaching profession in regard to its historical context, the implications of the profession, and the role played by public education in contemporary society
- Articulate a beginning philosophy of education that incorporates an understanding of relevant theories and models of education
- Construct lesson plans based on current best practices, developmental theories, and state, and national standards
- Implement self-reflection strategies to enhance professional and personal growth
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
| Title | Local Bachelor's |
|---|---|
| Education - Secondary - A.A. Transfer Degree | |
| Physical Education - A.A. Transfer Degree | - |
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.
Duties/Tasks
- Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
- Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws or administrative policies.
Salary Information (AZ)
$50,880
$36,920
$48,200
$76,400
$24.46
$17.75
$23.00
$36.73
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Duties/Tasks
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as architectural design methods, aesthetics and design, and structures and materials.
- Evaluate and grade students' work, including work performed in design studios.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Salary Information (AZ)
$79,170
$48,990
$63,670
$123,630
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Doctoral Degree
Description
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Duties/Tasks
- Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Organize performance groups and direct their rehearsals.
Salary Information (AZ)
$66,570
$47,960
$63,670
$97,450
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Masters Degree
Description
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Duties/Tasks
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.
- Prepare materials and classroom for class activities.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.
Salary Information (AZ)
$57,010
$39,250
$59,260
$76,700
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.
Duties/Tasks
- Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
- Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
- Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
- Direct activities of administrative departments, such as admissions, registration, and career services.
- Appoint individuals to faculty positions, and evaluate their performance.
- Develop curricula, and recommend curricula revisions and additions.
- Consult with government regulatory and licensing agencies to ensure the institution's conformance with applicable standards.
- Participate in student recruitment, selection, and admission, making admissions recommendations when required to do so.
Salary Information (AZ)
$104,250
$48,980
$79,840
$190,770
$50.12
$23.55
$38.00
$91.72
Typical Education Level
Masters Degree
Description
Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Duties/Tasks
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Supervise students' fieldwork, internship, and research work.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as children's literature, learning and development, and reading instruction.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Salary Information (AZ)
$73,940
$38,480
$63,670
$122,840
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Doctoral Degree
Description
Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.
Duties/Tasks
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy.
- Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives.
- Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests, and issue grades in accordance with performance.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Prepare instructional program objectives, outlines, and lesson plans.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.
Salary Information (AZ)
$48,240
$28,750
$46,910
$62,310
$23.19
$13.82
$22.00
$29.96
Typical Education Level
Masters Degree
Description
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Duties/Tasks
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
- Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
Salary Information (AZ)
$54,780
$39,250
$49,730
$76,010
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Contact Information
Department Contact(s)
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patricia Powers | Professor of Education | (928) 317-6051 | patricia.powers@azwestern.edu |