Master’s in Secondary Education – Humanities
What Is a Master's in Secondary Education for Humanities Degree?
The Master of Education in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities Non-Initial Teaching Licensure (NITL) degree program at Grand Canyon University (GCU) can prepare candidates to teach humanities education in grades 6–12 classrooms. This program is geared toward students who aspire to be a secondary teacher with an interest in the study of humanities and social sciences.
These areas may include:
- History
- Social sciences
- English/language arts
- Creative writing
- Communications
- Languages
- Fine arts
Faculty will focus their courses on technology and diversity in the classroom, while teaching you how to integrate grades 6–12 subject matters including English, social studies, history and psychology. Humanities educators expose you to a wide range of topics, such as understanding human behavior, the human experience, contemporary society and diversity, that can help form you into knowledgeable and critical contributors.
Study Advanced Teaching Techniques and Humanities Concepts
Students will be taught to develop an understanding of the following competencies:
- Philosophical, historical and sociological influences that construct secondary educational theories and practices.
- Adolescent growth, learning patterns and developmental variations.
- Educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities.
- Techniques for classroom engagement, management and discipline.
- Curriculum development and student assessment specific to the humanities classroom.
- Application of teaching and learning methodologies and instructional strategies to develop a deeper understanding of humanities concepts.
- Evaluating and promoting effective pedagogy in adolescent literacy.
Because this program does not include a student teaching capstone, it does not lead to an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from GCU to obtain certification. Completing practicum hours within the courses is a requirement to prepare to teach in the grades 6 through 12.
What Does It Mean to Earn a Non-Licensure Degree at GCU?
This institutionally accredited program is developed to maximize learning for the adult learner and expand on previously gained content knowledge. Courses are taught by faculty members who have knowledge and experience in their respective fields, including secondary education, humanities and educational psychology.
All courses are designed to align with standards set by the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE). You have the opportunity to apply research, concepts and theories in practical settings. Secondary educational field experiences build upon your learning and provide guidance on 100 hours of observational and practice-based experiences. This program does not lead to licensure.
What Can You Do with A Non-Licensure Degree in Education for Humanities?
This online master’s in secondary education with an emphasis in humanities program is for educators who have already earned their teaching license with the completion of a bachelor’s program. This non-licensure degree in education for humanities can prepare you with additional tools and skills necessary to continue to teach one or more subjects, such as language arts or social studies, at the secondary level in public or private schools (where alternative certification is accepted1). Teacher may be assigned according to subject matter specialty. Potential positions include secondary school teachers and postsecondary education teachers.
What Are the Program Requirements for This Non-Licensure Education Degree?
This program includes 33 total credit hours, 101 practicum hours and 11 different classes. These classes include topics such as adolescent literacy, psychology in early adolescent techniques and tools for middle and high school teachers, A Survey of Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities and many more. These courses can equip you to pursue a humanities education post-graduation. To apply for this degree, visit the admissions page for more information on GCU’s admission requirements.
1 Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.
If seeking licensure or certification, applicants to the program are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint/background clearance is required.
Core Courses
Course Description
Teacher candidates will survey the philosophical, historical, and sociological influences upon which secondary 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: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates will survey how early adolescents and 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: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-501 or SEC-502.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance not required.
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 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach, Secondary Education.
Course Description
Various orientations to curriculum development and assessment are investigated and elements of model curricula are examined specific to the areas of Humanities. Emphasis is placed on understanding current structures and trends in middle and 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 in Humanities classrooms 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 for Humanities classrooms. Teacher candidates develop their own curriculum unit. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates will investigate multiple methods of assessment that support student engagement, monitor student progress, and guide decision-making, specifically to Humanities classrooms. 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: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates explore research-based strategies for delivering differentiated reading instruction to promote reading proficiency. Language and literacy development is examined to inform assessment, remediation and intervention practices to support middle to high school readers and ability levels, including students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Using this foundational knowledge, teacher candidates will select, adapt, and use research-based instructional strategies and interventions with attention focused on reading in academic curricula to advance learning for adolescent students. 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
In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) 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. Through Universal Design for Learning they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards based instruction for English language learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates examine a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of the major concepts contained within Social Studies, English Language Arts, and the Arts through modes of inquiry from the integrated study of history, geography, the social sciences, reading, writing, oral language, and their influences that build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. Teacher candidates integrate instructional content, academic functions, formative and summative assessments, media and technology to engage learning. Teacher candidates apply their foundational knowledge of reading, language, and child development to teach reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, and comprehension skills to middle and high school students. Candidates also help these students successfully apply their developing skills to different situations, materials, and ideas. Practicum/field experience hours: 11. Fingerprint clearance 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.
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.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.