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Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Biology Concentration

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Secondary Education Programs

Secondary Education
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Teaching Future Scientists

Share your passion for biology in the classroom setting. The secondary education biology concentration at Pensacola Christian College will help you teach junior high or high school students and inspire the next generation of scientists. As you deepen your understanding of biology at the environmental, cellular, and molecular levels, you’ll also prepare to be a teacher who communicates a Creation-based study built on biblical principles.

You’ll start by developing a strong Christian philosophy of education and learning traditional teaching strategies that will make you an effective biology teacher. You’ll build your own biology knowledge base, practice teaching in five education labs with the latest classroom technology, and prepare for your career by observing and teaching in Pensacola Christian Academy (PCA) classes.

As a senior, you’ll complete your teacher education with an internship at PCA, refining your skills under the guidance of PCA’s master teachers.

To give you many opportunities for ministry and employment, you will choose a second teaching field in addition to your major concentration. The leadership, classroom management, and communication skills cultivated in the education program—as well as proficiency in your chosen teaching fields—will open doors for many opportunities after graduation.


Faith-Based Biology Education

PCC’s secondary education biology concentration will help you establish a Christian philosophy of science and provide traditional content and teaching methods. And as a teacher, you’ll lead a classroom through the study of creation from a biblical perspective. From this position, you’ll have the potential to inspire the next generation of Christian scientists who will lead in their field.

girls dissecting organ in lab

Secondary Education Learning Outcomes

As a secondary education graduate, you will be able to

  • apply a Christian-traditional philosophy of education to purposes, content, and methods of teaching.
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject content unique to your selected concentration and second teaching field.
  • demonstrate proficiency in the use of methods and materials appropriate for the traditional secondary classroom.
  • organize, establish, and manage an effective learning environment.
  • demonstrate knowledge of the learner with ability to teach him.
  • teach effectively in a Christian junior high or high school.
  • integrate biblical Christian values in teaching.
  • exhibit the professional qualities required of successful teachers.
Biology Concentration Course Schedule

Program Highlight

Secondary Teaching Internship

While you study in the secondary education program at PCC, you will explore proven teaching methods, observe master teachers, practice teaching your peers, and teach lessons at PCA. Senior year, you’ll take the final step toward preparing for a successful teaching career: leading your very own classes during your Secondary Teaching Internship (SE 420).

Mentored by an experienced PCA teacher, you’ll gain experience as you participate in every aspect of teaching—eventually becoming fully responsible for your own students. Teaching in both your primary concentration and your second teaching field, you’ll refine the skills you need to become an excellent teacher and be ready to lead your first class with confidence.

Your Biology Education Future

What can you do with a secondary education degree, biology concentration?

When you complete your studies, you’ll be fully equipped to teach in a Christian junior high or high school biology program—or you may continue your education by pursuing a graduate degree. Although the education degree programs do not lead to state licensure, graduates are qualified to receive teacher certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and are eligible for a complementary one-year Professional Teaching Certificate from the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).

Here are a few of the countless career opportunities available to you.

  • Author
  • Biologist
  • Biology Teacher
  • Public Speaker
  • Researcher
  • Scientist
  • Tutor

Here are a few of the grad schools our biology concentration alumni have attended.

  • Bob Jones University
  • Cornell University
  • Purdue University
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of South Alabama
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • University of West Florida

Here are a few of the many places that our biology concentration alumni have worked.

  • Brazosport Christian School, Lake Jackson, TX
  • Community Christian School, Bradenton, FL
  • Fredericksburg Christian School, Fredericksburg, VA
  • NH Association of Schools
  • Trinity Baptist School, Williston, VT
  • University of South Alabama

Faculty Highlight

Aresia Watson

Dr. Aresia Watson

B.S., Pensacola Christian College
M.S., University of West Florida
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi

“In Origins (CR 370), I focus on the importance of a biblical worldview for biology education and science in general. Without our Creator God having placed order and design in His creation, and without giving us a foundation for knowledge, we wouldn’t be able to do any type of science.

I want my biology education students to get excited about God as Creator and then be passionate about passing that on to their students. PCC’s biology education concentration is designed to equip students with the foundations of biological knowledge, philosophy of education, and knowledge of educational practices to successfully teach biology at the high school level.”

Read more about Dr. Watson
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Alumni Spotlight

Emily Allen
Emily Allen ’20

Development Officer at Life University

“I have always had an interest and fascination with God’s intricate creation, specifically life science and understanding the physiological processes of the human body. [At PCC,] I [gained] a stronger understanding of various ideologies and theories biblically and scientifically. I strongly believe that one cannot fully and truly converse with someone of the opposing viewpoint until one understands their ideologies. By knowing such, you receive more respect from others of various views and can have a more productive conversation, thus potentially leading one to Christ. In having a greater understanding of others’ beliefs and why they believe such theories, I was more self-assured in my faith and my understanding of who God is. PCC prepared me to have those tough conversations. Because of my firm foundational understanding, I was able to lead [others] to the Lord.

I enjoyed the emphatic love for science from my professors. Their innate passion and craving for science ignited a fire in me to do better every day. The professors really made a difference in the quality of my education at PCC. I’ve grown more spiritually and intellectually in my four years there than in my entire life. Having a thorough understanding of biology and education allows me to connect with our undergraduate and graduate students on a deeper level and understand their struggles, triumphs, and overall curriculum.”

Meet more alumni
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Biology Concentration Course Schedule

Recommended Course Sequence

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Total Credits

125

Second Teaching Fields

Art

English

History

Mathematics

Music

Second teaching field requirements: Students with a Music second teaching field must demonstrate sufficient ability in one area of applied music and will take instruction in this area for six semesters. Students in their fourth semester of private music lessons must pass a platform to be approved for a music second teaching field. After passing the platform, students are required to enroll in Music Repertoire each semester they are enrolled in private lessons. Students with a vocal or instrumental emphasis must participate in a performing ensemble two semesters sometime during sophomore, junior, or senior years. Performing ensembles that meet requirements for each emphasis are as follows: Instrumental: Orchestra, Symphonic Band; Vocal: Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Choir.
Teaching Elementary Music
Music Theory I
Music Theory II
Choral Methods
Proficiency Materials and Methods
Private Lessons
Ensemble/Hymnplaying

Physical Education

Fitness Test: Students in this second teaching field must pass the Physical Fitness Test or take PE 283/273 Physical Fitness or PE 160/170 Swimming/Physical Fitness (minimum grade of “C-” required).
Extracurricular Activity Requirement: Students in this second teaching field must participate in several semesters of intercollegiate or intramural sports or an approved alternative.
Fall Team Sports
Spring Team Sports
Sports Physiology
Introduction to Coaching
First Aid
Organization and Administration of Physical Education
Kinesiology
Care of Athletic Injuries
Coaching Electives
Teaching Physical Education

Science

Spanish

Speech

Second teaching field requirements: Second-semester sophomores must pass a speech platform evaluation to be approved for a second teaching field in speech. Students are required to enroll in SP 999 Speech Repertoire each semester they register for a private speech lesson. All students with a second teaching field in speech must perform at least one role in a college play while a student at PCC. A speaking role in a dramatic production play will satisfy this requirement.
Teaching Speech
Introduction to Interpretive Speech
Voice and Diction
Oral Interpretation of Poetry
Oral Interpretation of Dramatic and Narrative Literature
Stagecraft
Stage Movement
Introduction to Dramatic Production
Assemblies and Productions Practicum
Private Speech Lessons

Technology Education

girl working in lab

About the Biology Concentration

The purpose of the secondary education major is to prepare students to teach in a Christian school by equipping them with a Christian-traditional philosophy of subject and teaching methods, practical teaching skills, and a servant’s heart.

Biology education students may not choose science as a second teaching field.

Secondary education students can apply for scholarships to receive financial aid.

Teacher Education Scholarship (up to $12,000)

  • Available to a qualified applicant who has declared an education major.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  • Recipients must maintain a 2.00 GPA each year (not cumulative) at Pensacola Christian College in order to receive the benefit of the scholarship. Students who forfeit the scholarship because of grade point average will forfeit the benefit for future years.
  • Recipients receive a tuition benefit up to $12,000 (approximately $3,000 annually; 20% of total tuition) over the first eight consecutive semesters of attendance as a full-time student after approval. If the student is enrolled in the Fourth Year Tuition-Free program, scholarship payments will not be applied during semesters the student is receiving the Fourth Year Tuition-Free benefit.

Dr. Barbara Bradley Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships each awarded to continuing juniors or seniors with a secondary education major who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Kathy Irwin Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships awarded to students with secondary, elementary, and music education majors, to be applied over one semester.

Rosann Petermeyer Memorial Scholarship
$500 scholarship awarded to a continuing sophomore or junior with a secondary education major who has a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Eleanor Robson Scholarship
Up to $3,000 scholarship awarded in $1,000 increments to a continuing sophomore with a criminal justice major, secondary education major with a science or biology concentration, or music ministries concentration who has a financial need, to be applied in the 3rd, 5th, and 7th semesters of consecutive attendance.

Melvin and Mabel Teuscher Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships each awarded to continuing sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester. Priority will be given to education majors.

See More Scholarships
Educator Recruitment

Secondary Education Career Support

With Career Services and Career Link, students can start making connections with employers while on campus during Career Fair events. These services provide tools and resources designed to empower you for your secondary education calling.

Every year, an average of 96 schools attend Educator Recruitment, seeking to hire PCC graduates.

Need help? Career Services staff are ready to assist you in researching employment opportunities, exploring job qualifications, and providing mock interviews and résumé support.

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