Content and Subject Endorsements for Secondary Education Majors

The secondary education major at Concordia University, Nebraska is a dynamic, versatile degree that places undergraduate students on the path to licensure as an educator while also allowing them to pursue studies in one or more specific areas of interest. Out of all of Concordia’s education programs, the secondary track has the most options for specialization, including field, subject and supplemental endorsements. For future educators who want to work with students in grades 7-12 or above or have a particular interest in teaching a certain subject area, the secondary program is likely the best option for an undergraduate education that leads to a fulfilling and rewarding career.  

Field Endorsements 

Field endorsements are broad, often multi-subject areas of concentration that require students to take a variety of courses enabling them to teach across a wide range of topics. One example of a field endorsement is English language arts, which covers subjects from world and American literature to communication theory, theatre history and nonfiction writing. A field endorsement equips secondary education students to teach courses in multiple areas – perfect for those who have several interrelated interests, like teaching English and coaching a speech team, for example. 

Some other field endorsements include agricultural education, K-12 art, business, information technology and marketing, mathematics, science, music and social science. Each allows substantial flexibility in course choice and the variety of courses that fulfill Concordia’s graduation requirements.  

Subject Endorsements 

Subject endorsements, unlike field endorsements, are more specific – in other words, they require students to take a smaller, yet more specific and somewhat less flexible, number of undergraduate subject courses. Some possible secondary subject endorsements include biology, chemistry, geography, history and physics, among others. Students on these paths will take a more specific sequence of courses that provides them with an in-depth exploration of the knowledge they’ll need to teach specific subjects in a secondary setting.  

For example, the chemistry subject endorsement requires specific courses in general and organic chemistry, biochemistry and physical chemistry. Like other subject endorsements, it also allows students to select a few hours of choice electives.  

Supplemental Secondary Endorsements 

Supplemental secondary endorsements are areas of study that may help secondary educators serve further roles outside of the classroom at their respective schools. With options including American Sign Language, coaching, English as a Second Language, instructional technology, journalism, speech and theatre, options for secondary education students to pursue personal interests while rounding out their skill set abound.  

With a supplemental endorsement in one of these areas, the schools that Concordia Nebraska graduates serve in their educational careers will be blessed to have them as ESL teachers, technology support assistants, and facilitators of athletics, speech and drama departments.  

The secondary education program at Concordia Nebraska provides students with a well-rounded undergraduate experience that equips them with the skills they’ll need to teach grades 7-12, encouraging intellectual and emotional growth at a critical time in the lives of their students. Learn more about studying secondary education at Concordia here or check out areas of specialization by reading through the academic catalog.