What it is
Secondary education prepares you to teach a specific subject to middle- and high-school students — English, math, science, history, a foreign language, or another field. You pair deep subject knowledge with teaching skill.
Licensure: teaching in public schools requires a state teaching license/certification — typically a bachelor's in education (or a subject plus a teacher-prep program), supervised student teaching, and a licensing exam (e.g., Praxis).
What you'll study
Secondary programs combine a teaching major with a subject concentration:
- Subject contentA major or strong concentration in your teaching field
- Education coreAdolescent development, educational psychology, methods for your subject
- PracticeClassroom management, assessment, technology, and field experience
- FinalA full-semester student teaching placement
Concentrations & focus areas
- Math / Science (STEM)High-demand subjects
- English / Language ArtsReading and writing
- Social Studies / HistoryHumanities
- Foreign LanguagesWorld languages
- Special EducationInclusive/co-teaching
- Career & Technical EdVocational subjects
Skills you'll build
- Subject expertiseDeep content knowledge
- Instruction & lesson designTeaching adolescents
- Classroom managementOlder-student dynamics
- AssessmentMeasuring learning
- MentoringGuiding students
Careers & job titles
- High school teacherGrades 9–12, by subject
- Middle school teacherGrades 6–8
- Department headSubject leadership
- Instructional coordinatorCurriculum (with a master's)
- Assistant principal / principalWith leadership study
- Education companies / tutoringAlternative paths
Job outlook & demand
Honest picture: K–12 classroom teaching employment is projected to be roughly flat (a slight decline) from 2024 to 2034 — but turnover means tens of thousands of openings every year (about 91,000 elementary and 66,200 high-school positions annually). In short: there are jobs, driven by replacement demand rather than growth. Shortages are common in special education, STEM, and bilingual teaching.
STEM, special education, and bilingual secondary teachers are in especially strong demand.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), high school teachers had a median of $72,040 and middle school $64,370 (ranges roughly $47,000–$105,000). Pay varies widely by state and district and rises with experience and graduate degrees.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's in the subject + a teacher-prep program and license is the entry path; a master's raises pay and opens leadership.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you love a subject and want to share it, connect well with teenagers, and want a meaningful career. STEM and special-education teachers have the strongest job prospects.
Same honest note as elementary: pay is modest for a bachelor's field, but openings are steady and benefits/schedule are real perks; administration pays more.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- TeachesA subject, grades 6/7–12
- DegreeSubject + teacher prep + state license
- High-demandSTEM, special ed, bilingual
- OutlookFlat employment, steady openings (BLS)
- Pay$72,040 median HS (BLS); ~$47k–$105k range
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: