Online Secondary Education Teaching Certificate

Program features

• Multiple start times throughout the year
• 600 hours of clinical practice to increase your teaching experience
• Affordable estimated total program cost of $6,240

Why obtain your secondary education teaching certificate at Linfield?

Learn in a flexible, 100% online program format

Offered through our Online and Continuing Education (OCE) program, our secondary teaching licensure program prioritizes flexibility so we can meet your needs. All your classes — except for your student-teaching practicum — are 100% online, with evening and summer options available. Whether you work or have additional personal commitments, our program structure allows you to study at a part-time or full-time pace so you can pursue your career goals without putting your life on hold.

Gain essential in-classroom teaching experience

During your full-time clinical practice course, you work as a student teacher in either a middle school or high school classroom. This in-classroom experience brings your theoretical knowledge to life, supporting skill growth and professional development. As you collaborate with seasoned teachers, create lesson plans and instruct students, you strengthen the necessary competencies to excel as an educator. Altogether, you accumulate a total of 600 hours of clinical practice.

Secure your Oregon teaching licensure

We crafted the online secondary teaching certificate program to incorporate the coursework and student-teaching practicum required for your teaching licensure. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in any area of study, you can obtain your Oregon teaching credentials without needing another degree, which helps you get into the classroom faster. 

Secondary education certification program curriculum

The secondary teaching certificate program's curriculum strongly emphasizes cultural and social awareness, ensuring you receive the proper training to support students from diverse backgrounds and help them thrive academically.

During your 24-credit coursework, you learn the fundamentals of ESOL, which includes an overview of linguistically and culturally appropriate teaching strategies for K-12 students and what barriers emerging bilingual students may face. 

You also explore curriculum evaluation and planning in middle and high school settings, which helps develop your ability to craft grade-appropriate learning experiences and materials that challenge students. You acquire various practical skills to complement your more theoretical knowledge, ranging from classroom management techniques to assessing students’ learning, pedagogical approaches, utilization of educational resources and more.

Once you’ve completed your courses, choose between a full-time student-teaching practicum in a middle or high school. You’ll work under the supervision of educators and gain firsthand experience leading classroom instruction, grading, taking care of administrative responsibilities and inhabiting the role of a teacher. 

Career outlook for middle school and high school teachers

As the national landscape of education evolves, there is a growing need for passionate and well-prepared teachers who can inspire a new generation of learners. Earning your secondary education teaching certificate equips you with the in-demand skills and credentials to teach middle and high schoolers in local schools. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 41,400 middle school and 64,000 high school teacher jobs will open nationwide each year through 2033. The increasing demand for secondary teachers in Oregon offers above-average employment rates for educators. 

Oregon also boasts some of the highest salaries for educators in the U.S. While middle school and high school teachers typically make $65,000, Oregon’s middle school teachers earn $81,000. Similarly, Oregon high school teachers make around $86,000 — more than $20,000 higher than the national average. 

Apply to the online secondary education teaching program

We work hard to remove barriers to education. That’s why Linfield keeps the application process simple. To qualify for acceptance into our teaching licensure program, you must meet the following criteria:

• An undergraduate bachelor's degree.
• Official transcripts from all previously attended academic institutions.

When applying to the program, simply submit your application, including any supplemental materials, and pay a $50 application fee by the following deadlines:

• Priority admission deadline for summer start: June 10
• Priority admission deadline for fall start: Aug. 10
• Priority admission deadline for spring start: Jan. 10

Before beginning the application process, please review our more in-depth admission information.

Tuition and cost

At Linfield, we believe your future is worth the investment. 

The secondary education certificate program costs $260 per credit or an estimated total of $6,240, including all tuition and fees. While federal financial aid is not available for certificate programs, some school districts may reimburse or assist their employees who take these courses. We encourage you to contact your school district to see if this is an option.

Fast-track your teaching career — pursue your secondary education certificate

A career in education gives you the opportunity to share your passion for learning and help shape how students see and engage with the world. In Linfield University’s online Secondary Education Teaching Certificate program, you acquire a robust pedagogical skill set and get firsthand experience working in classrooms that support your success as an educator.