Schools

School of Education

Master of Science in Secondary Education

Degree Requirements (30-36 cr.)

Students receiving the Master of Science in Secondary Education must complete 30-36 total graduate credit hours including:

  • Education Core (12 cr.)
  • Concentration (18-24 cr.)
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
  • All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Core (12 cr.)

  • EDUC-H 520 Education and Social Issues
  • EDUC-P 507 Assessment in Schools
  • EDUC-J 500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum
    • Students pursuing the Biology, Chemistry, History, Math, Music, or Reading concentrations are required to take a specific methods course in lieu of EDUC-J 500. Please see your specific concentration for course requirements.
  • Complete one of the following
    • EDUC-A 590 Independent Study in Educational Leadership (for the Education Leadership Concentration)
    • EDUC-S 590 Independent Study or Research in Secondary Education
    • EDUC-X 590 Research in Reading (for the Reading Concentration)

Select One Concentration

Concentrations Offered


Generalist (18 cr.)

For students beginning Fall 2020 and beyond.

  • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
  • Complete two of the following pedagogy courses for 6 credit hours
    • EDUC-L 520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
    • EDUC-L 530 Topical Workshop in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
    • EDUC-N 517 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Math
    • EDUC-Q 540 Teaching Environmental Education
    • EDUC-S 516 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School English Arts
    • EDUC-S 518 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Science
    • EDUC-S 519 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Social Studies
  • Complete 9 credit hours from the following
    • EDUC-A 508 School Law and the Teacher
    • EDUC-K 500 (2 cr.) Topical Workshop in Special Education Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • EDUC-K 505 Intro of Special Education for Grad Students
    • EDUC-K 553 Classroom Management and Behavior Support
    • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education
    • EDUC-L 524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
    • EDUC-P 510 Psychology in Teaching
    • EDUC-P 516 Adolescent Development
    • EDUC-P 570 Managing Classroom Behavior
    • EDUC-W 505 Professional Development Workshop
    • EDUC-W 551 Educational Foundations for High Ability Students
    • Any additional pedagogy course from the list above

Biology (18 cr.)

  • Core course: EDUC-S 518 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Science
  • Complete 18 credit hours of graduate level Biology

Chemistry (18 cr.)

  • Core course: EDUC-S 518 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Science
  • Complete 15 credit hours from:
    • CHEM-T 510 Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-T 520 Organic Synthesis
    • CHEM-T 525 Forensic Chemistry
    • CHEM-T 530 Organic Synthesis
    • CHEM-T 540 Physical Chemistry
    • CHEM-T 550 Introductory Biochemistry
    • CHEM-T 555 Survey in Chemistry
    • CHEM-T 560 Environmental Chemistry
    • CHEM-T 570 Nuclear Chemistry
    • CHEM-T 580 Physical Biochemistry
  • CHEM-T 590 Chemistry Capstone

Composition Studies (24 cr.)

  • Complete four credit hours from the following
    • EDUC-L 530 Topical Workshop in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
    • EDUC-L 535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature
    • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
    • EDUC-W 505 (1 cr.) Professional Development Workshop
    • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education Topic: Methods of High Incidence in Literacy
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-W 500 (4 cr.) Teaching Composition: Issues and Approaches
    • ENG-W 509 (4 cr.) Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-G 660 (4 cr.) Stylistics
    • ENG-L 646 (4 cr.) Readings in Media, Literature, and Culture
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-W 510 (4 cr.) Computers in Composition
    • ENG-W 553 (4 cr.) Theory and Practice of Exposition
    • ENG-W 590 (4 cr.) Teaching Composition: Theories and Application
    • ENG-W 620 (4 cr.) Advanced Argumentative Writing
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-W 501 (4 cr.) Practicum on the Teaching of Composition in College
    • ENG-W 600 (4 cr.) Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-R 546 (4 cr.) Rhetoric and Public Culture
    • ENG-W 600 (4 cr.) Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
    • ENG-W 682 (4 cr.) Special Topics: Rhetoric and Composition

Educational Leadership (24 cr.)

  • EDUC-A 500 Introduction to Educational Leadership
  • EDUC-A 510 School Community Relations
  • EDUC-A 608 Legal Perspectives on Education
  • EDUC-A 635 Public School Budgeting and Accounting
  • EDUC-A 625 Administration of Elementary Schools
  • EDUC-A 627 Secondary School Administration
  • EDUC-A 638 Public School Personnel Management
  • EDUC-A 695 Practicum in Educational Leadership

English (24 cr.)

  • Complete four credit hours from the following
    • EDUC-L 530 Topical Workshop in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
    • EDUC-L 535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature
    • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
    • EDUC-W 505 (1 cr.) Professional Development Workshop
    • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education Topic: Methods of High Incidence in Literacy
  • Complete five courses from a desired discipline or sub-field
    • Literature
      • ENG-L 503 (4 cr.) Teaching of Literature in College
      • ENG-L 553 (4 cr.) Studies in Literature
      • ENG-D 600/G 655 (4 cr.) History of the English Language
      • ENG-L 5XX/6XX (4 cr.) Course approved by advisor
    • Language
      • ENG-W 500 (4 cr.) Teaching Composition: Issues and Approaches
      • ENG-W 508 (4 cr.) Graduate Creative Writing for Teachers
      • ENG-W 509 (4 cr.) Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies
      • ENG-W 554 (4 cr.) Practicum Teaching of Creative Writing
      • ENG-W 600 (4 cr.) Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
      • ENG-W 682 (4 cr.) Special Topics: Rhetoric and Composition
    • Composition Studies
      • ENG-G 660 (4 cr.) Stylistics
      • ENG-L 646 (4 cr.) Readings in Media, Literature, and Culture
      • ENG-R 546 (4 cr.) Rhetoric and Public Culture
      • ENG-W 501 (4 cr.) Practicum on the Teaching of Composition in College
      • ENG-W 510 (4 cr.) Computers in Composition
      • ENG-W 553 (4 cr.) Theory and Practice of Exposition
      • ENG-W 590 (4 cr.) Teaching Composition: Theories and Application
      • ENG-W 620 (4 cr.) Advanced Argumentative Writing
      • ENG-W 682 (4 cr.) Special Topics: Rhetoric and Composition

English as a New/Second Language (18 cr.)

  • EDUC-L 524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
  • EDUC-L 540 ESL/EFL Instruction and Assessment Approaches
  • EDUC-L 539 Language Foundations for ESL/EFL Teachers
  • EDUC-L 502 Socio-psycholinguistic Application to Reading Instruction
  • EDUC-M 501 (1 cr.) Local Clinical Experience in ENL: Observations
  • EDUC-M 501 (2 cr.) Local Clinical Experience in ENL: Teaching
  • Complete one of the following
    • EDUC-L 541 Writing Instruction for TESL Teachers
    • EDUC-L 546 Mentorship and Literacy Coaching of EFL/ESL Teaching
    • EDUC-L 547 Writing Instruction for TESL Teachers

Gifted and Talented (18 cr.)

  • EDUC-W 551 Educational Foundations for High Ability Students
  • EDUC-W 552 Curriculum for Gifted and Talented
  • EDUC-W 553 Methods and Materials for the Gifted and Talented
  • EDUC-W 595 Practicum: High Ability Students
  • Complete 6 credit hours from the following
    • EDUC-A 508 School Law and the Teacher
    • EDUC-L 524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
    • EDUC-P 510 Psychology in Teaching
    • EDUC-P 516 Adolescent Development
    • EDUC-W 505 Professional Development Conference Topic: Coding in the Classroom

History (18 cr.)

  • Core Course: EDUC-S 519 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Social Studies
  • HIST-H 501 Historical Methodology
  • Complete 15 credit hours from the following
    • HIST-A 507 American Cultural History
    • HIST-H 509 Special Topics in European History
    • HIST-H 511 Special Topics in U.S. History
    • HIST-H 520 (1 cr.) Shaping Careers in History
    • HIST-H 521 Special Topics in African, Asian, or Latin American History
    • HIST-H 523 The Holocaust
    • HIST-H 524 Issues in Contemporary Historiography
    • HIST-H 543 Practicum in Public History
    • HIST-H 546 History of Science, Medicine, and Technology
    • HIST-H 547 Special Topics in Public History
    • HIST-H 575 Graduate Readings in History
    • HIST-H 620 Colloquium in Modern Western European History
    • HIST-H 650 Colloquium in United States History
    • HIST-H 665 Colloquium in Latin American History
    • HIST-H 669 Colloquium in Comparative History
    • HIST-H 720 Seminar in Modern Western European History
    • HIST-H 750 Seminar in U.S. History
    • HIST-H 765 Seminar in Latin American History
    • HIST-H 775 Seminar in East Asian History
    • HIST-H 799 Seminar in World History
    • HIST-G 569 Modern Japan
    • HIST-G 585 Modern China
    • HIST-G 587 Contemporary China
    • HIST-T 500 Topics in History

Language and Literature (24 cr.)

  • Complete four credit hours from the following
    • EDUC-L 530 Topical Workshop in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
    • EDUC-L 535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature
    • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
    • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education Topic: Methods of High Incidence in Literacy
    • EDUC-W 505 (1 cr.) Professional Development Workshop
  • ENG-L 503 (4 cr.) Teaching of Literature in College
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-W 509 (4 cr.) Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies
    • ENG-W 500 (4 cr.) Teaching Composition: Issues and Approaches
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-D 600 (4 cr.) History of the English Language
    • ENG-G 655 (4 cr.) History of the English Language
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-W 508 (4 cr.) Graduate Creative Writing for Teachers
    • ENG-W 554 (4 cr.) Practicum Teaching of Creative Writing
    • ENG-W 600 (4 cr.) Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
    • ENG-W 682 (4 cr.) Special Topics: Rhetoric and Composition
  • Complete one additional 4 cr English course approved by advisor

Literature (24 cr.)

  • Complete four credit hours from the following
    • EDUC-L 530 Topical Workshop in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
    • EDUC-L 535 Teaching Adolescent/Young Adult Literature
    • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
    • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education Topic: Methods of High Incidence in Literacy
    • EDUC-W 505 (1 cr.) Professional Development Workshop
  • ENG-L 503 (4 cr.) Teaching of Literature in College
  • ENG-L 553 (4 cr.) Studies in Literature
  • Complete one of the following
    • ENG-D 600 (4 cr.) History of the English Language
    • ENG-G 655 (4 cr.) History of the English Language
  • Complete two additional graduate level literature courses beginning with ENG-L for 8 credit hours

Mathematics (18 cr.)

  • Core course: EDUC-N 517 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School Math
  • Complete 18 credit hours of graduate level Math

Music (18 cr.)

Prior to taking music courses, graduate students enrolled in the program must pass the interview and audition with the Faculty Audition COmmittee in the Music Department, School of Arts and Letters.

  • Core course: complete one of (if both are completed the second will count toward the 18 credit hour concentration)
    • MUS-E 527 Advanced Instrumental Methods
    • MUS-E 528 Advanced Choral Methods and Materials
  • Complete 18 credit hours of
    • MUS-E 527 Advanced Instrumental Methods
    • MUS-E 528 Advanced Choral Methods and Materials
    • MUS-E 529 Special Topics in Music Education
    • MUS-E 545 Guided Professional Experience
    • MUS-E 567 Techniques of String Class Teaching
    • MUS-E 569 Seminar in Class Piano Teaching
    • MUS-G 566 Interpretation and Conducting of Band Literature
    • MUS-K 503 Projects in Electronic Music
    • MUS-K 710 Composition Graduate Elective
    • MUS-M 502 Composers
    • MUS-M 530 Contemporary Music
    • MUS-M 543 Keyboard Lit from 1700 to 1850
    • MUS-M 566 Ethnic Music Survey
    • MUS-M 656 Modern Music
    • MUS-T 512 Theory Review for Grad Students II
    • Applied study Options: maximum of 8 credit hours
      • MUS-B 710 Horn Graduate Elective
      • MUS-B 720 Trumpet and Cornet
      • MUS-B 730 Trombone Graduate Elective
      • MUS-B 740 Euphonium Graduate Elective
      • MUS-B 750 Tuba Graduate Elective
      • MUS-L 700 Guitar Graduate Elective
      • MUS-P 700 Piano Graduate Elective
      • MUS-P 701 Graduate Secondary Piano
      • MUS-Q 700 Organ Graduate Elective
      • MUS-S 710 Violin Graduate Elective
      • MUS-S 720 Viola Graduate Elective
      • MUS-S 730 Cello Graduate Elective
      • MUS-S 740 Double Bass Graduate Elective
      • MUS-V 700 Voice Graduate Elective
      • MUS-W 710 Flute/Piccolo Graduate Elective
      • MUS-W 720 Oboe/Eng Horn Graduate Elective
      • MUS-W 730 Clarinet Graduate Elective
      • MUS-W 740 Bassoon Graduate Elective
      • MUS-W 750 Saxophone Graduate Elective

Psychology (24 cr.)

  • EDUC-P 510 Psychology in Teaching
  • Complete one of the following
    • EDUC-K 505 Intro of Special Education for Grad Students
    • EDUC-L 520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
    • EDUC-R 505 Workshop in Instructional Systems Technology
    • EDUC-S 508 Problems in Secondary Education
    • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
  • PSY-P 502 Developmental Psychology
  • PSY-P 505 Organizational Psychology
  • PSY-P 509 Group Behavior and Communication
  • PSY-P 624 Principles of Psychopathology
  • Complete two of the following
    • PSY-P 508 Applied Research Project
    • PSY-P 511 Seminar in Professional Skills, Legal Issues and Ethics
    • PSY-P 521 Conflict Resolution and Mediation

Reading (18 cr.)

  • Core course: EDUC-E 545 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in Elementary Schools
  • EDUC-S 514 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Jr. High and Secondary School
  • EDUC-S 516 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Secondary School English Arts
  • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education Topic: RTI
  • EDUC-L 520 Advanced Study in Foreign Language Teaching
  • EDUC-W 505 (1 cr.) Professional Development Workshop
  • EDUC-X 504 Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties in the Classroom
  • EDUC-X 525 (1 cr.) Practicum in Reading
  • EDUC-X 525 Practicum in Reading

Special Education (24 cr.)

  • EDUC-K 500 (2 cr.) VT: Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • EDUC-K 505 Intro of Special Education for Grad Students
  • EDUC-K 535 Assessment and Remediation of the Mildly Handicapped
  • EDUC-K 553 Classroom Management and Behavior Support
  • EDUC-K 563 Diagnosis and Remediation of Learning Disabilities I
  • EDUC-K 565 Collaboration and Service Delivery
  • EDUC-K 580 Curriculum and Methods for the Educable Mentally Retarded
  • EDUC-K 588 Supervised Teaching in Special Education
  • EDUC-K 590 (1 cr.) Independent Study or Research in Special Education Topic: Methods of High Incidence

Technology (24 cr.)

  • EDUC-P 510 Psychology in Teaching
  • EDUC-R 505 Workshop in Instructional Systems Technology
  • EDUC-R 531 Computer in Education
  • EDUC-W 505 Professional Development Workshop Topic: Coding in the Classroom
  • EDUC-W 505 Professional Development Workshop Topic: Virtual Field Trips
  • EDUC-W 506 Using the Internet in K-12 Classroom
  • EDUC-W 520 Planning for Technology Infrastructure
  • EDUC-W 540 Technology-Infused Curriculum

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