Professional and Secondary Education M.Ed.

Purpose of Degree

This master’s degree is designed for professional educators and K-12 certified school teachers who wish to further develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for growth in teaching effectiveness (Track 1), to seek Pennsylvania K-12 principal certification, or New Jersey principal or supervisory certificates (Track 2), to seek National Board Certification (Track 3), or to seek an M. Ed. with a concentration in Advanced or Adapted Physical Education (Tracks 4 and 5).

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 school teachers, supervisors, 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)
  • Track 4: Advanced Physical Education
  • Track 5: Adapted Physical Education (can lead to National Certified Adapted Physical Education Certificate)
  • Track 6: Advanced Sport Performance Coaching

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 & the Learning Process

3 credits

PSED 554Foundations of Curriculum Construction

3 credits

PSED 584Middle and High School Curriculum

3 credits

PSED 588School Law

3 credits

PSED 590Supervision of Instruction

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, technology, 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  the course of study to attain the 15 credits.

Track 2: Educational Leadership (15 credits)

PSED 573Field Experience in Educational Leadership

3 credits

PSED 574Field Experience in School Organization and Management

3 credits

PSED 575Field Experience in Curriculum and Student Achievement

3 credits

PSED 595Elementary and Secondary Educational Leadership

3 credits

PSED 596School Finance

3 credits

Track 3: Advanced Pedagogy (15 credits)

PSED 533Designing and Implementing Programs for Professional Development

3 credits

PSED 570Field Assessment Education

3 credits

PSED 577IS:

1 - 12 credits

PSED 580Professional Assessment in Secondary Education

3 credits


Additional Course

Any graduate level PSED course

Track 4: Advanced Physical Education (15 credits)

PETE 514Assessment and Documentation of Student Achievement

3 credits

PETE 517Analysis of Teaching Behavior in Physical Education

3 credits

PETE 522Advanced Theory and Techniques of Physical Education

3 credits

PETE 523Administration: Physical Education and Sport Programs

3 credits

PETE 561Seminar: Adapted Physical Education

3 credits

Track 5: Adapted Physical Education

Track 6: Advanced Sport Performance Coaching

EXSC 591Advanced Philosophy of Performance Training & Coaching

3 credits

EXSC 592Advanced Principles of Performance Enhancement for Performance Coaching

3 credits

EXSC 593Advanced Therapeutic and Physiological Foundations for the Coach

3 credits

EXSC 594Advanced Seminar in Sport Performance Coaching

3 credits

EXSC 595Advance Sport Performance Coaching Practicum

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