TCP Content Coursework Requirements

Guidance for Self-Analysis of Secondary Grades Content Area Competency, Coursework, and Testing

This page outlines the guidance used for evaluating a potential candidate’s transcript for the seven content Secondary Grades certification areas offered through TCP (English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics).

Secondary Grades Certification Area

Required/Suggested Coursework for Content Area Knowledge and Skills

English

Writing (6 credits) may include:
Composition I
Composition II/Advanced Composition
Specialized Writing Course (e.g., Prose, Poetry, Journalism)

Literature (18 credits)
Introduction to Literature
American Literature I (pre-1800)
American Literature II (post-1800)

World/Non-Western Literature
Shakespeare
British Literature

Elective(s) (6 credits) may include, but are not limited to:
English language/linguistics
Public Speaking
Grammar
Theater
Literature

History

US History (6 credits)
European History (6 credits)
Global History (6 credits): may include African, Asian, Indigenous, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or Transnational History

History Electives (12 credits) may include, but are not limited to:

Civics
Psychology (3 credits)
Geography
Sociology (3 credits)
Government
Western Civilization
Political Science
World Religions

Mathematics

Mathematics (11 credits)
Calculus I
Calculus II
Geometry

Elective(s) (19 credits) may include, but are not limited to:

College Algebra/College Algebra CLEP test
Number Systems/Number Theory
Statistics & Probability
Linear Algebra
History of Mathematics
Mathematical Problem Solving
Non-Euclidian Geometry
Mathematical Modeling
Calculus III
Physics I
Real Analysis
Computer Science

Biology

Biology (8 credits)
Biology I + Lab
Biology II + Lab

Chemistry (4 credits)
Chemistry I + Lab

Biology Electives (18 credits) may include, but are not limited to:
Anatomy & Physiology
Microbiology
Botany
Genetics
Ecology
Forensic Science
Environmental Science
Biochemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry (16 credits)
General Chemistry I + Lab
General Chemistry II + Lab
Organic Chemistry I + Lab
Organic Chemistry II + Lab

Physics (4 credits)
Physics I + Lab

Chemistry Elective(s) (10 credits) may include, but are not limited to:
Biochemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Physics II

Physics

Physics (8 credits)
Physics I + Lab
Physics II + Lab

Mathematics (4 credits)
Calculus I

Physics Electives (18 credits) may include, but are not limited to:
Acoustics, Optics, Waves
Magnetism/Electromagnetism
Thermodynamics, Heat, Energy
Mechanical or Engineering Physics
Modern/Nuclear Physics
Quantum Physics
Newtonian Physics
Systems/Advanced Problem Solving

General Science

Biology (8 credits)
Biology I + Lab
Biology II + Lab

Chemistry (8 credits)
General Chemistry I + Lab
General Chemistry II + Lab

Physics (4 credits)
Physics I + Lab

Earth and Space Science (3 credits) may include:
Geology
Oceanography
Meteorology
The Universe

Electives (7 credits) may include, but are not limited to other Biology, Chemistry, or Physics courses listed in those content bands above, additional Earth and Space Sciences courses, or courses like Nutrition or Kinesiology.