Secondary Education, M.S.

The Secondary Education program offers two options. Option 1 is for students who hold a valid instructional certificate at a level different from grades 7-12 and want a 7-12 certificate. Option 2 is for students who do not hold an instructional certificate. Students in the program may pursue a Master of Science degree. For both options the Master of Science degree requires 36 credits in course work.

Below is the program of study for the two options. All students who are pursuing a Master’s degree must complete the research and foundation course requirements and pass a comprehensive examination.

Research Course Requirement (3 credits)

EFND 506 - Educational Research and Statistics

Foundation Course Requirements (6 credits)

EFND 501 - Educational Psychology *
EFND 511 - Educational Tests and Measurement
EFND 516 - Advanced Educational Psychology
EFND 521 - Advanced Foundations of Education
*Not available in Option 1, but required in Option 2.

Option 1

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators
ESEC 501 - General Methods and Planning
ERDG 517 - Literacy on the Secondary Level
ESEC* Subject Methods (3 credits)
ESEC 566 - Secondary Classroom Management and Discipline
ESEC 567 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Planning
ESEC 568 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Instruction
ESEC 569 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Classroom Management
ESEC 570 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Professional Growth
*ESEC 536 , ESEC 541 , ESEC 542 , ESEC 546 , or ESEC 551 , depending upon certification area.

(Individuals in option 1 who want a secondary instructional certificate, but not a Master’s degree are required to complete a minimum of 19 credits. The research course requirement is waived, as are the foundation course requirements provided the student has taken comparable foundation course work as part of the first instructional certificate. Also, students pursuing an instructional certificate in mathematics must complete ESEC 556 - The Secondary School Mathematics Curriculum .)

Note: Additional credits in the subject area of the discipline may be required in accordance with the student’s previous course work and how this relates to the program in which the student wishes to obtain certification. Students are required to have the equivalent of a bonafide Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in the area they will be teaching. Also, students in option 1 must pass the appropriate content area Praxis Series test, which is mandated by PDE.

Option 2

ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators
ESEC 501 - General Methods and Planning
ECUI 521 - Field Experience I
ECUI 526 - Field Experience II
ECUI 531 - Field Experience III
ERDG 517 - Literacy on the Secondary Level
ESEC* Subject Methods (3 credits)
ESEC 566 - Secondary Classroom Management and Discipline
ESEC 567 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Planning
ESEC 568 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Instruction
ESEC 569 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Classroom Management
ESEC 570 - Secondary Teaching Internship: Professional Growth
*ESEC 536 , ESEC 541 , ESEC 542 , ESEC 546 , or ESEC 551 , depending upon certification area.

(Students in option 2 who want a secondary school certificate, but not a Master’s degree are required to complete 33 credits in course work. EFND 506 - Educational Research and Statistics , is not required. Also, students pursuing an instructional certificate in mathematics must complete ESEC 556 - The Secondary School Mathematics Curriculum .)

Note: Additional credits in the subject area may be required in accordance with the student’s previous course work and how this relates to the program in which the student wishes to obtain certification. Students are required to have the equivalent of a bonafide Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in the area they will be teaching. Also, students in option 2 must pass all required Praxis Series tests, which are mandated by PDE.

Additional Certifications and Self-Improvement

Students who already possess secondary teaching certification may pursue additional secondary certifications. Courses required for the additional certifications will depend on the areas(s) in which certification is sought and on previous work. The student should consult the Director of Graduate Education Programs regarding specific requirements.

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