In addition to meeting the standard School of Education admission requirements, students interested in pursuing a master's degree in secondary education must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be admitted if they show evidence of successful professional activity, such as curriculum development or scholarship, or a paper that demonstrates competence in abstract thinking in the English language.

In Bloomington tracks are available general curriculum studies, mathematics education and science and environmental education. In Indianapolis, a track in Urban Education is available.  The master's degree in secondary education requires 36 credit hours.

General track - Bloomington

This 36-credit hour program focuses on curriculum studies, adolescent development and psychology, and the theoretical foundations of education practice. It includes a practicum option depending on your future education and career focus. You may pursue the master’s degree after completing the graduate certification requirements and apply those graduate course credits to the master’s program. The program is offered on the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.

General Curriculum (3 cr.)

• J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)

Specialized Studies (15 cr.)
Select course from inside or outside of the School of Education. Courses should have a unified focus and the approval of your advisor.

Foundational Areas & Inquiry Skills (3 cr. minimum)
Select at least one of the following courses

• P510 Psychology in Teaching
• P516 Adolescent Development
• P540 Learning and Cognition in Education
• H504 History of American Education
• H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry
• H520 Education and Social Issues
• H525 Anthropology of Education
• H530 Philosophy of Education
• H538 Critical Thinking and Education
• H540 Sociology of Education

Electives (9 cr.)
Select courses that complement your program from inside or outside the School of Education with the approval of your advisor.

Thesis or Practicum Option (6 cr.)
Practicum proposals and thesis topics must be selected with the approval of your advisor. Practica must extend over at least two semesters or one semester and a regular summer session. Six hours of course work may be taken instead of the practicum option with the approval of your advisor.

Joint BS/MS Degree in Secondary Education - Bloomington

This program allows the use of 8 cr of 400 level mathematics or science classes of qualified seniors at the Bloomington campus to complete the master’s degree in Secondary Education.  Mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics and geology Bachelor of Science majors with a 3.0 subject and cumulative GPA may begin master’s degree courses while completing their bachelor’s degree.  Students complete the Secondary Transition to Teaching program (see Licensure Programs).

Mathematics Education track - Bloomington

The M.S. degree in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics is designed for teachers at the middle and high school levels. If you’re an experienced teacher, this degree will improve your skills while preparing you to become a supervising teacher or department chair. If you’re new to teaching, this degree can include teacher certification as part of your degree requirements.

There is no official mathematics track for the elementary education master’s degree, but you can work with a faculty advisor in our department if you wish to make elementary-level mathematics your area of concentration.

Students planning to earn teacher certification may choose to participate in the Community of Teachers program.

The 36-credit hour programs focus on innovative educational practices and can include coursework in graduate-level mathematics if desired. A thesis or practicum option is available for students who plan to eventually pursue a doctoral degree.

Major (18 cr.)

• J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)
• N517 Advanced Methods in the Teaching of Middle/Junior High School Mathematics (3 cr.) or N518 Advanced Methods in the Teaching of Middle/Junior High School Mathematics (3 cr.)
• Six (6) credit hours of mathematics courses at the 400 level or above, selected under the direction of your academic advisor.
• Six (6) additional credit hours selected under the direction of your academic advisor.

Foundations (3 cr.)
Choose one of the following courses

• H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)
• H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
• H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.)
• H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
• H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
• H538 Critical Thinking and Education (3 cr.)
• H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)
• P501 Statistical methods Applied to Education (3 cr.)
• P507 Testing in the Classroom (3 cr.)
• P510 Psychology in Teaching (2–3 cr.)
• P516 Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
• P525 Psychological Issues in Education (3 cr.)
• P540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
• P544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)

Thesis/Practicum (3 cr.)
X599 Thesis or J538 Practicum or other courses selected with the approval of the program advisor.

Electives (9 cr.)
These courses must have a unified focus in mathematics education and must be approved by your academic advisor. With the advisor’s consent, candidates are encouraged to enroll in N590 Independent Research in Mathematics Education (1-3 cr.)

Science and Environmental Education track - Bloomington

The Science and Environmental Education Track provides extensive professional experience and places you on the path to certification and licensure. If you’re an experienced teacher, this degree prepares you to become a supervising teacher or department chair.

This 36-credit hour program includes both professional development coursework for educators, intensive science studies, and a thesis or practicum option.

General Curriculum (3 cr.)

• J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)

Specialized Studies (18 cr.)

• Science Education (9 cr)
  Select from the following Education courses:
  • E548 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Science in the Elementary Schools (3 cr.)
  • S518 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Science (3 cr.)
  • Any 500- or 600-level Q (Science Education) course
• Science Area (9 cr.)
  • Courses must be at the graduate level from one or more science areas.

Foundational Areas & Inquiry Skills (3 cr. minimum)
Choose at least one from the following courses

• H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
• H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.)
• H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
• P501 Statistical Methods Applied to Education (3 cr.)
• P507 Testing in the Classroom (3 cr.)
• P510 Psychology in Teaching (2–3 cr.)
• P516 Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
• P525 Psychological Issues in Education (3 cr.)
• P540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
• P544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)

Other courses may be needed for special skills related to a particular practicum of thesis topic.

Electives (6 cr.)
May be graduate-level courses from Education, Science, or another area.

Thesis or Practicum Option (6 cr.)
Practicum proposals and tehsis topics must be selected with the approval of your advisor. Practica must extend over at least two semesters or one semester and a regular summer session.

Six hours of course work may be substituted for a a thesis or practicum with the approval of your advisor.

Urban Education track - Indianapolis

Focused on urban education, this rigorous transformational program

• Engages directly and unflinchingly with the tough issues all teachers face.
• Addresses topics such as curriculum, special education, ELL, assessment, teacher leadership, politics, school as an organization, research, culture and communities, and education philosophy.
• Prepares you to succeed with diverse learners in any school setting.

Join a community of learners who stay together through 36 hours of course work. Take two courses per semester for two years—fall, spring, and summer. Learn through face-to-face, online, and hybrid courses—many as short as 8 weeks—to accommodate teachers’ busy schedules.

Fall - Year 1

• J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)
• K505 Introduction to Special Education (3 cr.)

Spring - Year 1

• L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning (3 cr.)
• P507 Assessment in Schools (3 cr.)

Summer I - Year 1

• T550 Cultural/Community Forces in Schools (3 cr.)

Summer II - Year 1

• Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)

Fall - Year 2

• Y510 Action Research (Prerequisite-Y520) (3 cr.)
• T531 Organizational Change in Culturally and Linguisticaly Diverse Schools (3 cr.)

Spring - Year 2

• A560 Political Perspectives in Education (3 cr.)
• T590 Research Practicum-Action Research Learning Community (Prerequisite-Y510) (3 cr.)

Summer I - Year 2

• A500 Introduction to Educational Leadership (3 cr.)

Summer II - Year 2

• H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)