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Master of Education in Secondary Education Initial Program - Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure

Degree Overview
Course List
Program Location

This Master of Education in Secondary Education program is designed for students interested in the education of children in grades 6-12 who are also seeking initial teaching licensure. The format and courses of this regionally accredited and Arizona-approved program are tailored to meet the needs of the adult learner and to maximize the content knowledge that the student already possesses. Graduates of the master‛s in secondary education program are prepared to become informed educators in public and private schools and other settings requiring a teaching license.

In this program, students study topics such as: Philosophical and social issues in education, classroom engagement and management, educating learners with diverse needs, English as a second language, structured English immersion, adolescent literacy, reading and literacy strategies for middle and secondary schools, secondary theory, methods and data-driven pedagogy, and secondary curriculum development and assessment.

Students must have access to a grade 6-12 classroom to complete the program and practicum assignments, which guide students through 130 hours of observational experiences. The final semester of the master‛s in secondary education program includes a full-time, 16-week student teaching component. Teacher candidates are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval.

Course List

Course #	Course Title	Course Description	Credits
UNV-501	Introduction to Graduate Studies in the College of Education	This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success. No practicum/field experience required. No Fingerprint Clearance necessary.	2
EDU-576	Philosophical and Social Issues in Education	This course is designed to provide an overview of the education profession for students who are inspired to be teachers. A brief survey of the philosophical, historical, and sociological influences upon which educational theories and practices are constructed is presented. Students explore a variety of the common issues, trends, and opportunities that professional educators face in the field.	4
EDU-536	Classroom Engagement and Management	This course is designed to allow the prospective teacher the opportunity to learn techniques involved in the successful engagement and management of a learning environment. Major emphasis is given to the establishment of a realistic discipline plan to manage student behavior, as well as engagement and management techniques and strategies to maximize instructional time, classroom procedures, and physical space. Also, TCH-536.	4
SPE-526	Educating Learners with Diverse Needs	Emphasis is placed on definitions, etiology, characteristics, and prevalence of various exceptionalities; laws and litigation protecting the rights of students with special needs and their families; current issues affecting persons with special needs; social perceptions, assessment, inclusion, and transition; and basic curriculum accommodations and supportive services for teaching students with special needs in the general classroom. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Prerequisite: Fingerprint Clearance	4
ESL-523	English Language Teaching Foundations & Methods	This course presents the historical, legal, theoretical, and sociological foundations of programs of instruction for English language learners. It includes an examination of the role of culture in learning and instructional program models, with a focus on Structured English Immersion. Students are instructed in immersion strategies and the use of assessment data. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint Clearance necessary.	3
ESL-533	Advanced Methodologies of SEI	In this course, students continue to examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion and other instructional programs for English Language Learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Students identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement. They plan, deliver, and evaluate instruction for English language learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Prerequisite: Fingerprint Clearance and ESL-523.	3
SED-535	Adolescent Literacy	This course is designed to assist teacher candidates in understanding, evaluating, and implementing effective pedagogy in adolescent literacy. A graduate in adolescent literacy should be able to recognize and assess the defining elements of literacy, from decoding skills to higher-level critical thinking applications. Subsequently, teachers should be able to understand, evaluate, and promote effective literacy pedagogy as it relates to the adolescent learner. Practicum/field experience hours: 30. Prerequisite: Fingerprint Clearance.	4
SED-553	Reading and Literacy Strategies for Middle and Secondary Schools	This course is designed to develop a broad range of research-based reading methodologies to enhance the learning strategies of middle and secondary school students. A major emphasis is given to the use of reading strategies for culturally and socially diverse classrooms, including the use of literacy-based instruction in all content areas and the understanding, evaluating, and promoting effective pedagogy in adolescent literacy. The development and use of integrated and thematic approaches of instruction are addressed. Students are expected to observe and assist in a grade 7-12 classroom while taking this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 30. Prerequisite: Fingerprint Clearance.	4
SED-541	Secondary Theory, Methods and Data-Driven Pedagogy	This course is designed to foster application of proven teaching and learning methodologies for both instructor and student in order to make appropriate and data-driven decisions about all aspects of teaching. Major emphasis is given to planning instructional objectives and lessons, assessing objectives, and developing teaching methodology that encourages problem solving, active participation, and assessment. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Prerequisite: Fingerprint Clearance.	4
SED-544	Secondary Curriculum Development and Assessment	Various orientations to curriculum development and assessment are investigated and elements of model curricula are examined. Emphasis is given to understanding current structures and trends in high schools, as well as critical issues, as these relate to curriculum and assessment. Course content is strategically planned to enable participants to make informed curriculum decisions to meet the needs of a diverse student population. Also emphasized is the alignment of educational objectives to standards and building both formative and summative assessments, including rubrics to analyze student learning. This course focuses on the principles and practices involved in curriculum design. Participants develop their own curriculum unit. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Prerequisite: Fingerprint Clearance.	4
SED-580NA	Student Teaching: Secondary Session A	Session A is the first of two 8-week sessions of the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research and analysis, and teaching to support compilation and creation of a Teacher Work Sample (TWS). Prerequisites: Fingerprint Clearance; successful completion of all courses in POS and content area; senior status; a 3.0 GPA; successful completion of state mandated basic skills and content area exams or Praxis I® (Basic Skills) and Praxis II® (Content Area); and approval and placement by Office of Field Experience. Arizona residents will be required to take the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA). All paperwork for student teaching must be submitted by the due date the semester prior to student teaching.	6
SED-580NB	Student Teaching: Secondary Session B	This session is a continuation of Session A. Prerequisite for B: SED-580NA.	6
Required Course Total Credit:			48

Courses:

48 credits

This program is offered in the following formats or locations:

Online

The dynamic capabilities of GCU’s online curriculum offer considerable flexibility and convenience for career oriented professionals who are pursuing their educational goals. Full time faculty members, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Our small class sizes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Classes begin frequently.

Evening

The convenience of GCU’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals. Evening classes meet once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom, filled with career minded individuals. Evening class sizes are kept small, providing a warm nurturing environment that supports an engaging experience. Classes begin frequently at various locations.

Program Disclosure

Category	Non-Traditional	Traditional
Books & Supplies (Per Program)	$1,045	$1,410
Tuition & Fees (Per Program)	$25,030	$19,620
Room & Board (Per Program, If Applicable)	$3,285
On Time Graduation Rate	71%	N/A
Median Private Loan Debt	$0	N/A
Median TIV Loan Debt	$37,175	N/A
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt	N/A	N/A

Program SOC

Occupations

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

It is the policy of the University to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations which require the University to remit tax where applicable. These regulations vary by location. Please note: It is also the policy of the University to require payment of sales, use, excise, and/or gross receipts tax. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the University regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.5%. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.0%.
Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.
Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.
Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.
N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.
Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.
On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.
Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.
Program availability is contingent on student enrollment.

Online/Evening program disclosures

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.