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Professional & Secondary Education

Graduate Programs

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Professional & Secondary Education

Address:
Wayne Hall 502
125 W. Rosedale Ave
West Chester, PA 19383

Phone: 610-436-2958
Fax: 610-436-3102
DKaba@wcupa.edu

Graduate
Programs

We are proud to present a Masters of Education degree focused on Transformative Education and Social Change consisting of the development of empowered and impactful teaching methods, the creation of inspired and meaningful educational programs, and the examination of the transformative potential of education.

Our department faculty focuses on a more critical theoretical foundation from which our candidates can make an honest analysis of the issues and ideologies confronting contemporary education, identify contradictions and points of concern, and construct transformative programs and practices in response.

Candidates will reflect on their own experiences in order to identify and challenge the common assumptions underlying the dominant educational philosophies today. This unique approach seeks to close the gap between theory and practice and integrate the ideals of freedom and critical democratic engagement into education.

We offer a very meaningful, personal, and rewarding experience for educators who, in spite of these trying times, still hold to what drove them into teaching: to have a positive impact on their students and the world. Our program envisions the preparation and inspiration of empowered educators - transformative intellectuals - who create and share knowledge and strategies to improve the quality of life for their students, schools, and communities.

I welcome prospective candidates, on behalf of our Department faculty and staff, to communicate with us any concerns you have about the program and ways we might better accommodate your personal goals. We are excited to meet with you and answer any questions you might have.

With warmest regards,

John M. Elmore Signature

John M. Elmore, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Chairperson

Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Our Masters in Education program seeks to inspire the development of integrated, engaged, and active teachers who will embrace their role as democratic agents of change in the communities in which they teach. To this end, candidates will examine the historical, social, political, and economic foundations of education for social transformation; study the psychology of impactful teaching and learning; consider the role of technology on social change in the twenty-first century; develop capacities for the production of meaningful curricula and empowered pedagogies, and develop authentic assessment and evaluation methods for transformative education.

In order to understand the political contexts in which they teach, teachers need to have a critical theoretical foundation. A primary focus of the program is to provide students with a critical framework so that students can challenge their own biases and assumptions they have made regarding their underlying educational philosophies and practices.

Additionally, the program strives to give teachers the necessary tools to develop as change agents and challenge and test their assumptions, the program will be built around an action research emphasis. Action research is a process of reflection which allows teachers or other educators to improve the way they address issues and solve problems in their schools and classrooms. By grounding the program in the action research model, we seek to close the gap between theory and practice and to integrate the ideals of "teacher as researcher" and "data driven decision making" within the teaching profession.

Outcomes

The current master degree program in Secondary Education has the following outcomes:

  • EDP 550: Advanced Educational Psychology
    Students will be able to summarize and synthesize the extant research concerning selected aspects of student cognition; students will incorporate the research-based information into their culminating action research project.
  • EDF 510: Educational Foundations
    The student will critically evaluate the social, political, and economic nature of education.
  • EDF 500: Methods and Materials of Research in Education
    The student will review and evaluate research articles and conduct research studies, if appropriate.

Application Procedure

Applicants for the M.Ed. in Secondary Education* are expected to have:

  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
  • An undergraduate degree GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (If an applicant possesses a master's degree, the GPA requirement applies to that degree)

In addition to meeting admission requirements of the University, the student must:

  • Submit two letters of recommendations, all transcripts and a goals statement
  • Be approved by the Department of Professional and Secondary Education for graduate work

Upon admission, students will be assigned advisors who will help them to outline the appropriate program. All work for the program must be approved by the advisor and the departmental graduate committee.

For additional information please contact Dr. Rob Haworth.

To apply for the graduate program, visit the Graduate Studies site and click on the APPLY NOW button.

* This program does not lead to teacher certification.

Advancing to Candidacy

During the pre-candidacy period, the student must:

  • Attain full status, if admission status to the program was provisional.
  • Complete the core courses.
  • Achieve a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the required courses in the area of concentration.
  • Show evidence of academic, personal, and professional qualities that satisfy the advisor and the departmental graduate committee.
Program Requirements Student Advising Sheet

Testimonials

  • ALEXANDRA C. "I have felt a strong sense of pride knowing that I have taken classes from world-renowned educators, who care deeply about my work and have pushed me to surpass my own goals."
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    ALEXANDRA C.
    Completed Program in Fall 2015
    Math Teacher in Royersford, PA since 2012

    When I decided to start my Masters, I knew I wanted a program that met face-to-face. A lot of my coworkers have completed online programs and it seemed to be made up of "busy work". I wanted a program that would allow me to really get something out of it. I came across our MEd Secondary Education: Transformative Education and Social Change Program at at WCU and it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Our program is more than I ever could have hoped for. It is a small intimate and personable setting molded around a cohort. The professors in the program know me on a personal level and are extinguished in their ever-changing fields. I have felt a strong sense of pride knowing that I have taken classes from world-renowned educators, who care deeply about my work and have pushed me to surpass my own goals. When I started the program, I was a bit intimated to know that I would have to write a thesis. But, this requirement has made me enjoy the program even more so. Writing a thesis, has allowed me to focus each class on my thematic concern I am passionate about, allowing me to see the program as a process rather than disconnected classes. More importantly, this program has allowed me to fully understand globalization, and its effect on education. Walking away from this program with a published thesis is definitely something to be proud of! I have made lasting relationships with my peers and professors. I know that I will keep in contact with my cohort and professors in the future; it is not simply a program that stops once we graduate. The professors push each of us to exceed our imagined limitations; I have now even considered continuing onto to get my PhD., a thought I would have never contemplated before this program.

  • ROB V. "I have had the opportunity to autonomously develop a goal and path to grow as a teacher in my subject, with the support of my highly qualified professors and professional peers."
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    ROB V.
    Completed Program in Fall 2015
    Physics Teacher in Kennett Square, PA since 2012

    The MEd Secondary Education: Transformative Education and Social Change Program at has offered me many insights and useful skills into my teaching profession. Through the course of this program, I have been able to identify and begin to develop solutions to issues within my classroom. I have gained a deep understanding in the nuances of the education system in which we teach, and how to appropriately align my teaching practices to best suit my students' needs. This program serves a diverse range of secondary educators, where I, a physics teacher, have worked alongside math, English, and social studies teachers. I have had the opportunity to autonomously develop a goal and path to grow as a teacher in my subject, with the support of my highly qualified professors and professional peers. I highly recommend the MEd Secondary Education: Transformative Education and Social Change Program at WCU to anyone looking to challenge themselves to grow as a professional secondary educator.

  • SAMANTHA P. "Overall, I feel prepared to finish the program due to the step-by-step guidance from the professors I have worked with as well as my graduate advisor. I also feel accomplished to have completed a program while I was teaching full-time."
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    SAMANTHA P.
    Completed Program in Fall 2015
    English Teacher in West Grove, PA since 2012

    Over the past 2.5 years, I have had the privilege to be a part of the MEd Secondary Education: Transformative Education and Social Change Program at West Chester University. Overall, I have had a very gratifying experience. Being a full-time high school classroom teacher, I was initially nervous to take on such a demanding task like grad school while I was working. But the professors have always understood our schedules and work demands. The program is flexible as well as manageable for those who are working. Most of the classes assign daily readings to correlate with the weekly class discussions. What we read, watched, and talked about often times related to what was directly happening in my own classroom. I was able to discuss some of my own challenges in teaching as they related to my thematic concern. The thematic concern is the culminating project for the program, where you select a problem in education to research and create an action plan to potentially fix this problem. Although it seemed overwhelming in the beginning, our professors have helped us every step of the way by having us complete one chapter in each class to add to the final thematic concern. Overall, I feel prepared to finish the program due to the step-by-step guidance from the professors I have worked with as well as my graduate advisor. I also feel accomplished to have completed a program while I was teaching full-time. I am satisfied with the education I received at West Chester University and believe that in obtaining my Master's degree there, I have become a more critical thinker and invested educator, which will make me a better teacher for the rest of my career.

  • ERIN M. "Each of the members in the cohort has been able to add different perspectives to each other's various concerns; and along with the support of our professors we have been able to critically reflect on our work and begin creating action plans within our fields."
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    ERIN M.
    Completed Program in Fall 2015
    Math Teacher in West Grove, PA since 2012

    I am so glad that I chose to pursue my graduate studies in West Chester's new MEd Secondary Education: Transformative Education and Social Change Program for my Masters. I first chose the program because I knew that I wanted to be able to interact with classmates and professors within the classroom as opposed to solely online. I ended up gaining a small group of co-researchers that have helped me develop my thematic concern within education. Each of the members in the cohort has been able to add different perspectives to each other's various concerns; and along with the support of our professors we have been able to critically reflect on our work and begin creating action plans within our fields. The structure of the program has helped me grow in my profession as an educator by giving me the opportunity to invest my time and work into a plan for change. This in turn has given me a stronger sense of purpose within my career and life-long learning. I especially appreciate the flexibility and never-ending support of our professors who work with our schedules and personal situations to make the program an authentic learning experience for each of us. I look forward to completing the program with my cohort and the potential to continue my education with the foundation I have built here thus far.

  • MICHELLE F. "This program opens your eyes to education at a state, national, and global level. In this program you get to select an issue in education that you feel passionate about, research the issue, and develop a thesis."
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    • Testimonials

    MICHELLE F.
    Completed Program in Fall 2015
    Math teacher in King of Prussia, PA since 2009

    The MEd Secondary Education: Transformative Education and Social Change Program at West Chester University has truly been an enlightening experience. It has allowed me to take a critical look at issues that are relevant to my teaching. Too often teachers isolate themselves and do not see meaning beyond their classrooms. This program opens your eyes to education at a state, national, and global level. In this program you get to select an issue in education that you feel passionate about, research the issue, and develop a thesis. Because it is an issue you care about, it makes the program very rewarding. The professors are extremely helpful and supportive.