MEd in Secondary Education Degree: Humanities Emphasis
MEd in Secondary Education Degree: Humanities Emphasis
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Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Whether you’re already teaching humanities in the classroom and thinking about advancing your own education, or you’re just beginning a career in teaching, you’ll have plenty to think about as you plan your career path. Use the following answers to frequently asked questions to guide your decision-making process about your future career in humanities education.
If you firmly believe that children deserve an education that values critical thinking and creative thought and that embraces a diversity of worldviews and perspectives, then perhaps becoming a humanities educator is the right career path for you. Humanities teachers have opportunities to instill skills transferrable across industries in the rising generations. As a humanities educator, you can serve as an inspirational presence in the classroom — someone who nurtures and encourages students to strive toward their full potential.
In high school or middle school settings, humanities educators cover a diverse range of subjects falling under the humanities umbrella. This includes human culture, history, literature, philosophy and the arts. Some of the subjects that a humanities educator might teach can include:3
Licensure requirements for educators interested in teaching humanities can vary by state. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, middle and high school teachers typically need a bachelor’s degree to teach, while some states also require a teaching license.4 Be sure to research the requirements for teachers in the state in which you plan to practice.
Additionally, some states require a major in a specific content area, such as an education degree that emphasizes history education and all public school teachers need a teaching license or certification. Some public school teachers are required to earn a master’s degree.4
In this master’s in secondary education degree program, you will be taught pedagogical techniques for teaching grades 6–12, with a focus on subjects like English, social studies, history and education psychology. This program is designed to highlight the integration of technology, diversity in education and modern teaching methodologies in today’s classrooms.
All courses meet the standards from the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and the International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE). You will also participate in secondary education field experiences that guide you through 100 hours of practice-based and observational experiences. These experiential learning opportunities can prepare you to practice applying concepts, theories and research in classroom settings.
Upon completing your education degree in humanities, whether through online or on-campus studies, and obtaining your teaching license, you'll be prepared to pursue teaching roles at both the secondary and postsecondary levels (which may vary depending on the state in which you will teach). This applies to a range of subjects within public or private educational institutions. Teachers may be designated to a certain area based on their subject matter specialty.
As a humanities education teacher, you may have the opportunity to help students:
Ask questions about the world
Understand diversity and the human condition
Contemplate contemporary society through a historical lens
Cultivate writing and reading skills
Learn to think creatively
Become informed and critical citizens
Prepare to share your passion for humanities education and inspire the rising generations of students. Apply today for enrollment in GCU’s master’s in secondary education with a humanities emphasis.
This Arizona State Board of Education-approved program is designed specifically for adult learners who would like to build on their knowledge to deepen their understanding of educational methodologies and practices. Professionals in their respective fields lead courses with the goal of creating knowledgeable humanities teachers by sharing their own knowledge and experiences in secondary education, humanities and educational psychology.
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968.
Teaching humanities in high school and middle school can prepare you to connect with your future students and help them with life beyond school. Humanities education is important for all, as it explores fundamental questions about who we are, where we are in life (theoretically speaking), and how we got there.1 Humanities courses often require students to develop critical thinking skills, to engage in thoughtful reflection and to recognize that the world is a diverse place that is full of different perspectives. GCU’s faith-integrated curriculum incorporates a Christian worldview, which cultivates an ethical and moral approach to education.
As a humanities educator, you will be taught the skills that may be needed to, in turn, equip your students in middle school or high school with the tools they need to move forward in life with curiosity.
The opportunity to earn your education degree in humanities online2 can provide flexibility and convenience. If you’re already engaged in teaching humanities in high school or middle school, you can continue to meet the obligations of your teaching career while furthering your own education from virtually anywhere.
GCU’s online courses are accessible via our digital learning platform, which connects learners to qualified instructors who are knowledgeable in their fields. The online coursework teaches you to build competencies while also providing opportunities to engage in academic discussions with your peers online. The program will conclude with a full-time, 15-week student teaching course.
The main difference between an initial licensure and non-licensure lies in their intended outcome. Initial licensure programs are designed for individuals pursuing careers that require professional licensure, whereas non-licensure programs are tailored for those pursuing fields where licensure is not mandatory or the student already has their license.
A program that leads to licensure, such as this master’s in secondary education degree, may be ideal if you are looking to earn your initial teaching license and may already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-teaching field. When you pursue an education degree with initial licensure, the pedagogy and teaching strategies you are taught can help prepare you to work toward earning a teaching certificate by completing practicum/field experience and passing the state exam for teaching licensure.
The Master of Education in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities ITL degree program at Grand Canyon University can prepare you to work toward becoming a licensed secondary education teacher (grades 6–12) with a specialty in teaching humanities. If you enjoy being a part of helping guide your students through exposure to history, other cultures, literature, languages and other humanities education, this degree may be right for you.
Individuals may choose to opt for the non-licensure version of this MS in teaching humanities program to enrich their practice and contribute to the discourse on humanities in education without the commitment to licensure requirements. This non-licensure version may be ideal for established educators who want to deepen their understanding of humanistic approaches to education without pursuing licensure. Offering flexibility in curriculum choices and focusing on advanced scholarly research, this option gives professionals the opportunity to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals.
The non-licensure version of the master’s in secondary humanities degree program is shorter in duration, as it does not include the 15-week student teaching component. This program may be a good fit if you already have a teaching license and would like to advance your career qualifications.
Please note that candidates who take this pathway cannot obtain an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from GCU. This program does lead to teacher certification. Practicum hours, state exams, student teaching and an institutional recommendation from GCU are required.
Discover secondary education emphases here:
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 Mintz, S. (2021, Aug. 30). Why We Need the Humanities in Today’s Career-Focused World. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved Aug. 10, 2023.
2 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.
3 Younge, L. (2020, May 3). What Is A “Humanities” Class? Teacher Lesley. Retrieved Aug. 10, 2023.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023, Jan. 10). How To Become A High School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 3, 2023.
