Online Master’s in Secondary Education Degree
Online Master’s in Secondary Education Degree
journey today.
The Master of Education in Secondary Education Initial Teacher Licensure (ITL) program at Grand Canyon University is designed for individuals interested in educating adolescents to young adults in grades 6-12 and who are seeking initial teaching licensure. This degree is for professionals who desire to teach but need to obtain the proper teaching licensure.
Earning a master’s in secondary education degree online may be ideal for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field who are passionate about guiding and inspiring the next generation. If you have expertise in subjects such as math, science, English, history or the arts, consider bringing your knowledge to the classroom. Teaching students in grades 6-12 can offer opportunities to engage with young learners, foster critical thinking and shape their future.
As a secondary education major, you will graduate with the skills and competencies to teach, mentor and support students, including:
Advance your education with the flexibility of online learning. GCU offers online master’s programs, providing the convenience to study on your schedule. In this master’s in secondary education online degree, knowledgeable faculty will create opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow students in an engaging online community.
This MEd in Secondary Education online degree leads to initial teacher licensure. Professionals who pursue this option already have a bachelor’s degree in a field outside of education and wish to become licensed to teach grades 6-12. An initial teacher licensure program includes a student teaching or internship experience requirement.
Degrees that do not lead to teacher licensure, such as the Master of Education in Special Education (non-licensure) or the MEd in Early Childhood Education (non-licensure) may include many of the same courses as a licensure program but do not have the same student teaching or internship requirement. Professionals who pursue this option already have their teaching license.
Explore Instructional Strategies
As a secondary education major, you will take specialized courses designed to help you meet professional standards and develop a strong foundation in effective instructional strategies.
The MEd in Secondary Education program equips teacher candidates with essential strategies for creating and maintaining an effective learning environment that fosters student engagement. Through an in-depth exploration of classroom management techniques, you will develop a comprehensive plan to engage learners while maximizing instructional time actively and equitably.
Key areas of focus include:
As a teacher candidate, you are taught to support English learners by examining the legal, historical and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional models. Through coursework and a 15-hour practicum/field experience, you will be given opportunities to develop practical skills in planning, delivering and evaluating standards-based instruction for English learners.
Key areas of focus include:
This course equips you with research-based strategies for delivering differentiated reading instruction to promote literacy proficiency among secondary students. Emphasis is placed on selecting, adapting and implementing instructional strategies that enhance reading and writing skills across academic disciplines.
Key areas of focus include:
When you choose GCU for your secondary education major, you will be required to complete a 15-week practicum/field experience during your final semester of the program. This course offers hands-on classroom experiences as well as research- and analysis-driven results that can help you earn a passing score on the Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP).
Upon completion of 100 hours of observation and practice-based experience, you will be able to apply concepts, theories and research in your own classroom and be eligible for the secondary education teaching license in the state of Arizona.
This program prepares you with research-based, innovative strategies to create engaging and inclusive learning environments for diverse adolescent learners. Through coursework and field experiences, you will develop the skills needed to foster critical thinking, literacy and student-centered instruction.
Key areas of focus include:
As a secondary education major, you will be taught skills in instruction, assessment, educational research and collaborating in teams — all of which can help you prepare to work in schools and other community-serving organizations.
Graduates can pursue a career in secondary education and teaching , which may require the following skills and responsibilities:
Directing college programs
Serving as the student’s support system
Developing curriculum
Teaching middle school or high school students
Providing after-school tutoring
Performing principal and administration duties and responsibilities
Providing specialized instruction
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 and is proud to prioritize quality education and comprehensive instruction. The College of Education shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are preparing to teach secondary education, GCU has gathered answers to your most frequently asked questions to help you understand licensure requirements, program details, career opportunities and the skills to teach in the classroom.
A secondary education degree can help equip educators with the pedagogical skills to teach students in grades 6-12. This degree emphasizes instructional methods, classroom management and student engagement strategies tailored for middle and high school learners. While this degree prepares candidates with the skills to deliver content effectively, it is designed for those who already possess subject-area expertise in disciplines such as English, math or science.
Primary (elementary) education typically encompasses grades K–8, focusing on foundational skills in reading, writing, math and early subject exploration. Secondary education, which includes grades 6-12, prepares students for more advanced learning through specialized subjects such as mathematics, sciences, social studies and humanities. The distinction between teaching middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) depends on your career goals and state certification requirements. Secondary educators not only teach subject-specific content but also help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving and essential life skills.
Whether you’re looking to position yourself to potentially advance your career, further your education or seek licensure to enter the education field, you can find a master’s in education degree from GCU to help you pursue your goals.
Some commonly pursued master’s degrees in education are:
A master’s in secondary education online prepares you to teach grades 6-12. While most U.S. colleges require at least a master’s degree for professors, some may require a doctoral degree for postsecondary teaching.1
When it comes to teacher licensing, you may hear the terms “certified” and “licensed” used interchangeably. The process of receiving a teaching license is referred to as “getting certified.” The term “teaching certification” is the licensure required to teach in public schools, whereas a “teaching certificate” is awarded upon completion of an academic program.
If you are already a licensed teacher, consider one of GCU’s short-term certificate programs that provide a more focused approach and fewer courses than a degree program. This may be an option for those looking to learn a new skill, gain knowledge in a new field or meet certain licensing requirements. GCU’s L.E.A.P to Teach certificate is excellent for those looking to become a certified teacher or our special education graduate certificate is for those who wish to be an advocate for those with mild to moderate exceptionalities.
Inspire Students With Knowledge
Master of Education in Secondary Education program at GCU can equip you with the skills to lead and inspire middle and high school students. Get started today!
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 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Postsecondary Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Feb. 26, 2025.