Overview: Master’s in Secondary Education
A Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary Education degree from Grand Canyon University prepares you to work as a middle school or high school teacher. Graduates from this master’s in secondary education program will learn all aspects of what it takes to effectively run a secondary classroom including teaching strategies, assessment methods, utilizing technology and classroom diversity.
Secondary ed. students analyze current educational research and modern teaching techniques in order to create engaging and supportive classroom environments. In addition, students in this secondary education graduate program study adolescent development and psychology in order to best support their future students.
Get Your Secondary Education Master’s and Initial Teacher Licensure
Grand Canyon University students who are earning a master’s degree in secondary education have many options when it comes to how to complete their coursework. Classes can be taken online or in the evening. Both the online secondary education master’s degree classes and the in-person are taught by experienced full-time faculty and expert adjunct staff. The options allow individuals to easily juggle work, home and school responsibilities.
This MEd in Secondary Education program helps working professionals make a career change into a field with big opportunities. The need for high school teachers is growing. The Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates that over 76,000 high school teaching jobs will be added in the next ten years.
Not only does this secondary education degree offer a path to teacher licensure for a high need area, but it concludes with an advanced degree, as well. In educational settings, teachers with master’s degrees may find such benefits as:
- High pay rates than a bachelor’s degree
- Access to current research and modern teaching practices
- Enhanced skills due to professional development coursework
- More opportunities for job growth
In order to earn a teaching certificate at the completion of this secondary education graduate program, GCU students will need to complete 120 hours of practical field experience in a 6-12 classroom. In addition, the final semester of the coursework is comprised of a full-time, 15-week student-teaching experience. Graduates will also have to take state license testing and may need to complete other requirements. For those not pursuing a teaching license, visit our Master of Education in Secondary Education (Initial Program – Does Not Lead To Initial Teacher Licensure) degree. If you have already obtained your secondary education teaching credentials, consider our other master’s programs.
What Can You Do with a Secondary Ed. Master’s Degree?
Graduates of the GCU Masters of Education in Secondary Education complete advanced level professional coursework that prepares them to teach in middle school or high school settings.
Some of the coursework from the master’s degree in secondary education includes:
- Adolescent development and psychology
- Classroom management and engagement
- Curriculum planning
- Literacy
- Supporting English language learners
- Assessment
- Teaching strategies
Teaching middle school and high school can be an exciting and dynamic career. Adolescent students look to their teachers for guidance about real world issues before becoming adults themselves. The support you give to your future students can change the world. Start on your journey as a secondary teacher today. Join us for the MEd in Secondary Education Degree program at GCU.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
Teacher candidates will survey the philosophical, historical, and sociological influences upon which educational theories and practices are constructed and explore a variety of the common issues, trends, and opportunities that professional educators face in the field. Candidates will prepare for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University by developing and strengthening the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Practicum/field experience hours: 2. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Candidates examine the United States Constitution, and the constitution of the State of Arizona. From this foundational review, candidates will explore application of the United States Constitution and the constitution of the State of Arizona in educational contexts. Practicum/field experience hours: 3. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates will survey how adolescents grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, social/emotional, and physical areas. This survey of the seminal concepts, principles, theories, and research related to development of adolescents will allow candidates to build foundational knowledge for constructing learning opportunities that support individual students' development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-501.
Course Description
This course is designed to allow the teacher candidate the opportunity to learn techniques involved in the successful engagement and management of a learning environment. Major emphasis is placed 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. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-501 or SEC-502.
Course Description
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. Teacher candidates are instructed in immersion strategies and the use of assessment data. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates will investigate multiple methods of assessment that support student engagement, monitoring student progress, and guiding decision-making. Candidates will build foundational knowledge regarding formal and informal assessment strategies for planning, evaluating, and strengthening instruction to promote continuous intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of each student. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
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 focused on planning instructional objectives and lessons, assessing objectives, and developing teaching methodology that encourages problem solving, active participation, and assessment. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-515 or SEC-516 or SEC-517.
Course Description
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. Major emphasis is placed on the use of reading strategies for culturally and socially diverse classrooms, including the use of literacy-based instruction in all content areas and understanding, evaluating, and promoting effective pedagogy in adolescent literacy. The development and use of integrated and thematic approaches of instruction are addressed. Teacher candidates are expected to observe and assist in a grade 5-12 classroom while taking this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates 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. Teacher candidates 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. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Various orientations to curriculum development and assessment are investigated and elements of model curricula are examined. Emphasis is placed on 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. Teacher candidates develop their own curriculum unit. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-540.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are engaged in the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research, analysis, and teaching to support the creation of a Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP). Fingerprint clearance required. Fingerprint clearance required.
Program Locations
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
Online and Evening program disclosures (2.167 years) Additional Disclosures
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.