What Is Secondary STEM Education?

Grand Canyon University’s Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary STEM Education degree prepares STEM teachers to meet the needs of science, technology, engineering and math students. The coursework ensures that graduates of the master’s program can go on to teach STEM subjects such as biology, physics and math in middle school and high school environments. Teaching strategies, classroom management techniques and methods of curriculum planning are at the heart of this master’s degree in STEM education.

What Can I Do With a MEd in STEM Education?

The master’s degree in secondary STEM education ensures that graduates in Nevada can apply for standard teacher licensure to teach in science, technology, engineering and math classrooms in grades 6-12. This career path can and will impact the future in big ways as more students look toward STEM careers for their own futures. As a graduate of this STEM master’s you might end up teaching biology, physics, math or general and AP STEM courses.

Master of Education in STEM for Secondary Education

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Degree Level

Master's

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Engineering

Program

MEd in Secondary STEM Education

Current Education Level

Make a selection

Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

No military affiliation

Country

United States

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Overview

Become Eligible for a Standard Teaching License in Nevada

The Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary STEM Education degree from Grand Canyon University is designed to equip STEM teachers with the skills to effectively cater to the requirements of science, technology, engineering and math students. Knowledgeable faculty teach coursework that can prepare you to work toward teaching subjects such as biology, physics and math in middle school and high school classrooms. Teaching strategies, classroom management techniques and methods of curriculum planning are at the heart of this master of education STEM program for secondary education.

This STEM graduate program is designed for teaching candidates in Nevada who are working on an Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL). You have the opportunity to continue working in the classroom while advancing your education and qualifications with a master’s degree online.¹ Upon graduation, you may be eligible to pursue a standard teaching license in Nevada.

Only Available in Nevada

This program is only available in Nevada, but GCU offers a similar program in your state!

For Other States

Master of Education in Secondary STEM Education

Offered By

College of Education

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $615 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 44

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 6 weeks

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Transfer Credits

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

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

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).

Why GCU

Reasons To Pursue Your Master of Education STEM Degree

Upon graduation of this master’s in STEM education online degree, you may be qualified to teach in 6-12 grade classrooms and support the multiple subjects within the STEM field. Current educational research and modern teaching techniques are the cornerstones of the classwork. Courses in adolescent development and psychology can teach you how to best meet the needs of every challenging situation.

STEM teachers are experiencing heightened interest, given the growing number of individuals looking to pursue careers in the expanding fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.² As of 2022, over half of the school districts in the U.S. reported staffing shortages in STEM departments.³ When you earn your master of education STEM degree, you have the opportunity to help prepare the future generations of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to help fill these shortages.

Earn Your Master’s in STEM Education Online

This STEM graduate program at GCU is an online program, which allows you the ability to work while attending school. This program’s online classes offer flexibility and convenience, enabling you to manage your current responsibilities while working toward the advanced degree that can assist you in furthering your career qualifications. The online learning platform facilitates academic discussions with peers and instructors.¹

This Degree Is Offered Online

Coursework

Focus Your MEd Coursework for Secondary STEM Classrooms

Earn your MEd online at GCU so you can remain in the classroom, earn your master’s and work toward earning your standard teaching license.

Coursework in the master of education STEM program for secondary education includes:

Current trends in education

Classroom management techniques

Methods of curriculum planning

Adolescent development (cognitive and socioemotional)

Tips for motivating adolescents

STEM content teaching strategies

Methods for working with English language learners

Special education process and requirements

Careers

Careers With a Graduate Degree in Secondary STEM Education

The master’s degree in secondary STEM education can help prepare graduates in Nevada to apply for a standard teacher licensure to teach in science, technology, engineering and math classrooms in grades 6-12. Upon graduation, you might pursue teaching positions in secondary and postsecondary settings.

FAQ

MEd in Secondary STEM Education FAQs

Whether you’re already a working STEM teacher or you’re just beginning to explore your potential career path in education, you may have some questions. Explore the frequently asked questions and answers, which may help your decision-making process when deciding on a STEM education master’s program.

The STEM acronym refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These four STEM fields encompass a diverse range of potential career paths. STEM education is intended to build competencies in these four fields, while also practicing both theory and practical applications, with an eye toward promoting problem-solving.⁴

It’s difficult to pinpoint one specific STEM career that could be considered the most popular, as some STEM careers are not necessarily the best fit for every STEM-minded career seeker. The popularity of specific careers can vary based on current trends, technology advancements and societal needs; however, some of the fastest-growing STEM jobs are as follows:⁵

Physicists
Computer and information research scientists
Computer hardware engineers
Computer network architects
Actuaries
Information security analysts
Biochemists and biophysicists

As someone who is already interested in secondary STEM education, you probably have your own personal reason why STEM education is important to you. Perhaps you enjoy the drive toward creative innovation or maybe you’re passionate about the potential for new technologies to improve quality of life for others. A STEM degree can also be worth it because it enables the pursuit of a diverse range of career paths in many different industries. In addition, STEM degree holders may have opportunities to develop smart solutions to common problems in various fields.⁶

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major44 credits

Degree Requirements44 credits

Core Courses

SEC-502

3 Total Credits

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 encounter in the field. Emphasis is placed on deepening understanding of personal biases and accessing resources to promote ethical practice, build strong relationships, and uphold the expectations of the profession. 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.

EDU-526

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, candidates explore how issues related to family relationships and community environments influence classroom dynamics. Emphasis is placed on promoting an equal partnership between families and schools to make collaborative decisions that support student learning outcomes and school policies, practices, and programs. Candidates explore how to create a welcoming classroom and school atmosphere where families feel valued, connected to the school staff, and engaged in the education of their children. Candidates also investigate strategies for collaborating with community resources that can assist families and schools to foster a healthy home and school connection. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.

SPD-500

3 Total Credits

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.

POS-500

3 Total Credits

SEC-506

3 Total Credits

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 the development of adolescents will allow candidates to build foundational knowledge for constructing learning opportunities that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation. Emphasis is placed on creating a collaborative environment to enhance student learning and well-being. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-502.

SEC-510

3 Total Credits

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.

SEC-517

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates will investigate multiple methods of assessment that support student engagement, monitor student progress, and guide decision-making, specifically to STEM 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.

SEC-525

3 Total Credits

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.

SEC-540

3 Total Credits

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.

SEC-520

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates examine fundamental concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Candidates also build foundational content knowledge in core academic areas and utilize student-centered and inquiry-based instructional strategies to apply the engineering process and scientific methods across disciplines. Candidates explore and implement various ways to problem solve with analysis and critical thinking. Additionally, teacher candidates develop skills for integrating engineering and technology concepts into math and science curriculum for middle and high school students. Practicum/field experience hours: 12. Fingerprint clearance required. Practicum/field experience hours: 12. Fingerprint clearance required.

ESL-545

3 Total Credits

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 and approaches for teaching English 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 as they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards-based instruction for English learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

SEC-582

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Various orientations to curriculum development and assessment are investigated and elements of model curricula are examined specific to the areas of STEM. 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 STEM 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 STEM classrooms. Teacher candidates develop their own curriculum unit. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.

SEC-590

8 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates are engaged in the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research, analysis, and teaching to develop a Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP). The teacher candidate will have a GCU course instructor, a GCU faculty supervisor, and be placed in an approved school with a certified cooperating teacher/mentor. Fingerprint clearance required.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
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

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