Why study adolescence to young adult education at BGSU in Ohio?
- Abundant career path possibilities. The adolescence to young adult education program at BGSU is one of Ohio’s largest, with 28 teacher preparation programs leading to Ohio teaching licensure.
- Competitive admissions. BGSU teacher education programs are widely recognized as being among the best. They’re competitive, with admission and graduation criteria exceeding state minimums – a setup for greater long-term success.
- Unparalleled teacher mentorship. Access teaching tools like virtual simulation classrooms that allow for instant reflective feedback.
- International opportunities. See the world with study abroad and student teaching opportunities in destinations such as England, Malawi, Ireland, Spain, Austria, Poland, Thailand, China, Brazil and more.
- Graduate with experience. BGSU secondary education degree majors begin field experiences early in the program and rack up nearly 1,000 hours by graduation.
Take advantage of:
1. Academic enrichment camps
2. Math, language arts and science camps
3. BGSU TIME (Tutoring in Math and English/Language Arts), a paid after-school and summer tutoring program that connects pre-service teachers with K-12 students in nearby districts
BGSU hosts one of the largest teacher job fairs in the U.S., attended annually by hundreds of employers from across the country.
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Specializations for AYA education majors
Follow your passion and prepare for the most in-demand middle school and high school teaching positions in Ohio and beyond. Specialize in one of the following:
- Integrated language arts
- Integrated mathematics
- Integrated social studies
- Integrated sciences
- Single-field sciences (earth, life or physical Sciences, chemistry and physics)
- Dual-field sciences (combination of two science fields)
Career - what can you do with an adolescence to young adult education degree?
Every day as a secondary education teacher is a chance to guide students in discovering their unique strengths, encouraging critical thinking and mapping out their life plans. BGSU leads new teachers in cultivating 7th- to 12th-grade classrooms where all students feel valued, supported and motivated.
The adolescence to young adult Education bachelor’s degree program qualifies graduates to apply for a license to teach middle school and high school students in a single subject area.
Demand for qualified middle school and high school teachers is expected to remain steady, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earnings can vary by district and experience level, but the annual mean wage for Ohio secondary education teachers outpaces the national average.
Career paths
- Middle and high school teacher
- Vocational/technical teacher
- School counselor
- School administration
- TEFL teacher
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nearly 100% of BGSU adolescence to young adult education graduates who complete their licensures have job offers within six months – many before they graduate.
Curriculum
Adolescence to young adult education majors learn to plan, implement and assess daily lessons and instruction units for students in grades 7-12. Core subjects cover theories and practices of sound pedagogy and an understanding of human development.
In addition to completing all BG Perspective Requirements, professional education credits and specialization requirements, AYA students must also successfully complete field experiences and a full-time (40 hours/week) spring semester student teaching internship.
BGSU requirements to be recommended for an AYA teaching license upon graduation:
- An overall GPA of 3.0
- Content specialization GPA of 2.8
- Passing scores for all required Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) examinations
Sample courses
- Educational Psychology
- Teaching Adolescents
- Introduction to Education Students with Disabilities
- Schools, Society, and Cultural Diversity
- Instruction and Differentiation in Middle and High School Classrooms
- Digital Technologies for Middle and AYA Teachers
- Assessment and Evaluation in Education
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Enrichment opportunities
Get an even greater head start with on-campus enrichment and professional development initiatives for middle and high school teachers within each specialization.
- Lead the award-winning Math Camp at BGSU, a celebrated affiliate of both the Ohio and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Math Camp is highly regarded within the broader mathematics education community for outstanding leadership, community service and civic engagement.
- Bowling Green Council of Teachers of Mathematics (BGCTM), the largest student-led affiliate of the NCTM, meets monthly and offers guest speakers, skill-sharpening exercises and career-building connections.
- The BGSU Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education is one of seven hubs of the Ohio STEM Learning Network. Grants cover educator professional development for future STEM educators, including the STEM Inquiry Series, Women in STEM and BioBlitzBG, a partnership with the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium.
- Language Arts Educators is a once-monthly meeting of AYA and middle childhood education majors who plan lessons, share opportunities and discuss common concerns.
- LAMP Camp (Language Arts Motivates Pupils) involves broader language arts community experiences that build leadership, community service and civic engagement.
- The World Language Educators Organization is open to all education majors committed to intercultural competence of K-12 students.
- The Bowling Green Council for Social Studies keeps teacher candidates current on new government education policies, job interview skills, civil service opportunities and engagement with regional social studies teacher mentors. Find a community with others in the BGSU social studies educator program, which emphasizes the use of social sciences for civil engagement and meets the rigorous standards of the National Council for Social Studies and the C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.
- Future Educators Association (FEA). Make close connections with others who share your love of teaching.
Professional licensure
Teacher licenses are regulated by state-level agencies. Licensure applicants must meet all requirements and follow all procedures of the state agency from which licensure is sought. In Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education serves as the licensing agency. The Office of Student and Academic Service assists students with the licensure application process.
Adolescence to Young Adult Education program is part of the School of Inclusive Teacher Education in the BGSU College of Education & Human Development
Updated: 04/24/2025 01:22PM