Professional and Secondary Education M.Ed.

Purpose of Degree

This master’s degree is designed for professional and secondary (junior, middle, senior high) school teachers who wish to further develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for growth in teaching effectiveness, for teachers wishing to seek National Board Certification, and for teachers seeking Pennsylvania K-12 principal certification, or New Jersey principal or supervisory certificates.

National Accreditation

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Special Resources of the Department

The Department of Professional and Secondary Education is composed of faculty members who have had a wide range of experiences that enrich the program. Faculty members have served as elementary and secondary schoolteachers, supervisors, guidance counselors, elementary and secondary school principals and superintendents of schools.

Program of Study

All graduate students pursuing a Master of Education degree in Professional and Secondary Education are required to take 36 credits - 21 credits from core requirements and 15 credits from one of three tracks:

  • Track 1: Professional Education
  • Track 2: Educational Leadership (successful completion prepares candidates for Principal Certification)
  • Track 3: Advanced Pedagogy (successful completion prepares candidates for National Board Certification)

Note: It is also possible to arrange for the transfer of six graduate credits from an accredited institution with pre-approval from the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Plan of Study

Core Requirements - 21 credits

PSED 510Teacher- School and Community

3 credits

PSED 515Educational Data

3 credits

PSED 516Learner & Learnng Proc

3 credits

PSED 554Found Curriclum Constr

3 credits

 

ELED 592Elementary School Curriculum

3 credits

Or

PSED 484Middle and High School Curriculum

3 credits

 

PSED 588School Law

3 credits

PSED 590Supervision Of Instrn

3 credits

Track 1: Professional Education (15 credits)

Fifteen credits in one or several areas as approved by PSED adviser.

The areas of concentration include any academic area, administration, affective education, curriculum, middle school, reading, health, special education, and other areas by arrangement. Teachers interested in securing a master's degree and/or certification as a teacher will find this program especially attractive.

The 15 credits are PSED courses or courses in a related area. The candidate and adviser collaboratively plan on the course of study to attain the 15 credits.

Track 2: Educational Leadership (15 credits)

PSED 595Elem/Sec Ed Leadership

3 credits

PSED 596School Finance

3 credits

PSED 573Field Experience in Educational Leadership

3 credits

PSED 574Field Exp School Org & Mgmt

3 credits

PSED 575Field Experience in Curriculum and Student Achievement

3 credits

Track 3: Advanced Pedagogy (15 credits)

PSED 576Tch Strategies Sec Sch

3 credits

PSED 579Curr Trends Sec Schl

3 credits

PSED 535Classroom Diversity

3 credits

 

PSED 577IS:

1 - 12 credits

ELED 575Graduate Seminar

3 credits

 

PSED 571Indep Research Problem

1 credits

ELED 572Thesis I

3 credits

Note: Candidates must earn certification before awarding of Master's Degree.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 from bachelor's degree or 15 credit hours of prior graduate coursework
  • Teacher certification and all required Pennsylvania clearances

Completion Requirements:

  • Professional portfolio
  • Oral review