Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary Education: Humanities Emphasis

A Master of Education degree program that leads to initial teacher licensure is typically designed for those who may have earned a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education and do not have a teaching license or certification but wish to pursue it. Upon completion of a degree program that leads to licensure, you may then apply to receive your teaching license through your state. In contrast, a non-licensure MEd program is designed for working teachers who already hold a teaching certification or license and who wish to enhance their teaching skills and knowledge. A non-licensure MEd program does not contain the in-classroom teaching experience component necessary to obtain a teaching license.

Note: If a candidate already holds a bachelor’s degree or certification in the same specialized degree area (such as humanities), this non-initial licensure version of the initial licensure program is not an appropriate degree program for practicing teachers looking to further their career, knowledge or skills as they already hold a certification in the area covered by the program.

There is a broad range of humanities subjects to choose from. When teaching humanities, you might decide to focus on history or social studies, or you might prefer to teach English and language arts. Other examples of humanities courses taught in secondary schools may include philosophy, creative writing and religious studies. Humanities courses typically focus on qualitative analysis, promoting critical thinking skills and creativity.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

The humanities are important because it aims to provide us with an understanding of human culture and experience. It can help us develop critical thinking, creativity, empathy and communication skills. Moreover, studying humanities can broaden our worldview and foster appreciation for diversity and inclusivity. Humanities can play a vital role in shaping our personal and societal values and contribute to the advancement of our civilization. A humanities education can:^{(See disclaimer 4)}

• Share the voices, values, traditions and broader cultures of generations past
• Provide a lens through which we can examine the big questions in life, such as “What does equality truly mean? What is the purpose of human life?”
• Encourage civic participation and cultural engagement
• Empower us to make informed decisions in everyday life by encouraging the examination of new ideas and perspectives
• Spark sustained curiosity about the world we live in and the people with whom we share it
• Help us explore new ideas without preconceived biases
• Drive our imaginations
• Recognize that despite differences among groups of people, we all share common ground

There are many branches or categories of humanities in education. These can include:^{(See disclaimer 4)}

• Law
• Languages
• Philosophy
• Religion and mythology
• International relations
• Gender and women’s studies
• Multicultural and regional studies
• Popular culture
• Art and music