Share Your Passion with Your Students
As a secondary education teacher, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting positive impact on thousands of students throughout your career. West Chester University’s Master of Education in Secondary Education program will help you on your path.
WCU has been teaching education for more than 150 years. Today, our M.Ed. in Secondary Education program offers two options to train you as a teacher leader who inspires students to learn.
As a student in our 36-credit, in-person program, you’ll explore the history and nature of education and public schools, the historical effects of socioeconomic disparity and racial/cultural bias on the development of public schools, curriculum, and student achievement, as well as adolescent development and the various societal issues that affect development. Courses throughout the program are connected by themes of social justice, culturally relevant pedagogy, and conversations of the social content of education and community influence on public schools and adolescence.
In addition to our traditional program, WCU offers a 13-month residency option.
Tracks in Our M.Ed. in Secondary Education
Specializations
As a student in the M.Ed. in Secondary Education program, you’ll choose a specialization for more focused study in one of the following content areas:
- Secondary Social Studies
- Secondary Mathematics
- Secondary Science
- Secondary English Language Arts
Teacher Certification
This traditional program allows candidates to earn a master’s degree and teacher certification simultaneously. The program includes graduate courses in educational foundations, special education, literacy, English Language Learners and content specific learning and teaching courses. Candidates participate in field placements and a full semester of student teaching.
Residency Option
The M.Ed. Residency option is a 13-month program that includes an intensive summer program of foundational principles of teaching followed by a one-year residency in a public school. Candidates will be paired with a mentor teacher and work alongside them to build their classroom skills and content knowledge. Candidates who successfully complete the program earn an M.Ed. degree and teacher certification simultaneously. This program is cohort-based with each new cohort starting in WCU's Summer I Session and graduating the following year.
Benefits of Earning Your Graduate Degree at West Chester University
Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes
WCU has an outstanding faculty with decades of experience. Our professors bring their own expertise and research interests to the classroom, are frequent presenters at home and abroad, and have published studies, chapters, and books based on their areas of interest.
At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you’ll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship and support to each student.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is an essential part of our M.Ed. program, and it’s built into the curriculum through both a field placement and a full semester of student teaching. You’ll hone your classroom organization and leadership skills under the supervision of a well-established teacher who will also serve as a trusted mentor for you throughout your student teaching.
Personalized Career Advising
As a graduate student at WCU, you will have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.
What Can You Do with a Master of Education in Secondary Education?
Most of our students have an academic background in their chosen area of focused study. When they come to WCU, it’s with the intention of becoming a secondary education teacher.
According to the BLS, on average high school teachers can expect to earn around $64,000 annually.
Many of our graduates continue to pursue additional certifications, second master’s degrees, administrative certifications or doctoral degrees to advance within their schools and districts.
What Will You Study as a Student in the Master of Education in Secondary Education?
This 36-credit program can be completed as a cohort program or as a residency program.
M.Ed. in Secondary Education
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses 1 | ||
| EDP 569 | Adolescent Development & Learning | 3 |
| EDA 511 | Inclusion & Collaboration | 3 |
| ERM 555 | Advanced Assessment for Learning: 7-12 | |
| EDR 550 | Literacy Development for Students w/ Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| LAN 569 | Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) PK-12 | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
EDF 511 | Foundations of Transformative Education | |
EDF 520 | Comparative Education | |
EDF 580 | History Of American Education | |
EDF 583 | The American School as Social Narrative | |
| Clinical Year Courses 1 | ||
| SED 505 | Field Experience For Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| SED 511 | Secondary Student Teaching | 6 |
| SED 515 | Action Research Seminar | |
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
SED 530 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Social Studies | |
SED 550 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Mathematics | |
SED 560 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Science | |
SED 570 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Science and Mathematics I 2 | |
SED 590 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary English Language Arts | |
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 36 | |
- 1
All foundation courses must be completed before enrolling in any clinical year courses. Clinical year courses are meant to be taken in a consecutive fall and spring semester
- 2
Offered based on course enrollment
M.Ed. in Secondary Education - Residency Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Coursework | ||
| SED 501 | Learning, Teaching, and Outcomes I (Summer Coursework) | 6 |
| SED 502 | Learning, Teaching, and Outcomes II | 3 |
| ENG 569 | Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) PK-12 | 3 |
| or LAN 569 | Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) PK-12 | |
| Fall Coursework 1 | ||
| EDA 511 | Inclusion & Collaboration | 3 |
| Subject Area Pedagogy Course | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 6 | |
SED 530 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Social Studies | |
SED 550 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Mathematics | |
SED 560 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Science | |
SED 570 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary Science and Mathematics I 2 | |
SED 590 | Teaching and Learning in Secondary English Language Arts | |
| Elective | ||
| Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved electives. | 3 | |
| Spring Coursework | ||
| EDR 550 | Literacy Development for Students w/ Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| SED 515 | Action Research Seminar | |
| SED 511 | Secondary Student Teaching | |
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 36 | |
- 1
This program requires a minimum of 20 field hours per week. Field hours must be selected on a consistent schedule to work with the same students. Field occurs August through January.
- 2
May be offered based on enrollment.
Get Started on Your M.Ed. in Secondary Education
If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of students, and advancing your professional learning, WCU’s M.Ed. in Secondary Education program is for you! Apply today and be inspired!
Apply NowPrograms Related to WCU’s M.Ed. in Secondary Education
- Master of Education in Elementary Education with Teacher Certification
- Master of Education in Special Education
- Certificate in Autism
- Certificate in Educational Technology
- Teacher Leadership Certificate
- Literacy Certificate
- Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification (PK-4)
- Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education
- PA Reading Specialist Certification (without M.Ed.)
- Literacy Coaching Endorsement Program
- Adapted Physical Education Certificate
