Program Overview

Introduction to the Secondary Education/English Education MEd Program

The Secondary Education graduate program's English Education specialization seeks to prepare teachers to engage secondary students in the production and interpretation of literary and non-literary spoken and written texts. Courses stress connections between the advanced literacy demands of secondary schools and the similarities and differences in the literacies necessary to thrive in home and school communities.

Program Details

• Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years
• Campus Location: Main
• Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
• Accreditation: The program is approved as a teacher certification program by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• Job Prospects: Graduates typically pursue teaching positions in middle and secondary school settings in grades 7 to 12.
• Licensure/Certification: Upon successful completion of the degree requirements and passing all licensure examinations, candidates may apply for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

• Application Deadline:
  • March 1
  • November 1
  • Summer II: March 1
• Letters of Reference: 2 letters of recommendation are required to provide insight regarding the applicant's academic competence. References from college/university faculty are recommended.
• Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Significant coursework (i.e., the equivalent of a minor or better) and/or professional experience related to the intended certification area are preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A bachelor's degree is required. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is expected.
• Transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all accredited institutions attended and/or from which credit was earned must be submitted.
• Statement of Goals: In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in seeking a master's degree with a specific focus on the career to which you aspire, your interests, and your academic and job-related experiences that are relevant to the program.
• Standardized Test Scores: Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master's degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • PTE Academic: 53
• Resume: A current resume is required.
• Transfer Credit: Courses may be transferred from an accredited institution provided they were completed less than five years ago and are relevant to the program. The academic advisor makes the decision about the relevancy of the courses that the student desires to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.
• Clearances: All admitted students must submit copies of the required Pennsylvania criminal background check, FBI criminal history, Child Abuse check, and TB test to the College of Education and Human Development's Office of Field Placement prior to enrolling in their first term.

Program Requirements

• General Program Requirements: The number of credits required beyond the baccalaureate is 31.
• Required Courses:
  • Core Courses:
    • SPED 5106: Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
    • EDUC 5402: Child and Adol Develop (or Elective) (3 credits)
    • MGSE 5796: Literacy and Differentiation in the Academic Areas, 7-12 (3 credits)
    • SPED 5109: Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support (or Elective) (3 credits)
    • SPED 5666: Introduction to Special Education (or Elective) (3 credits)
    • TESL 5631: Foundations of Language Teaching: Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • Concentration-Specific Pedagogy Classes:
    • MGSE 5741: Teaching Literature and Reading in the Secondary School (3 credits)
    • MGSE 5742: Teaching Written Composition in the Secondary School (3 credits)
  • Culminating Course:
    • Select either Residency or Non-Residency Student Teaching and Seminar (7 credits)
• Culminating Events: Student teaching and its related seminar(s) constitute the culminating events for this MEd program.

Accelerated Programs

Undergraduate students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route. The accelerated pathway for the Secondary Education MEd with a concentration in English Education is available to any qualified students pursuing an undergraduate degree in English BA or Theater BA.

• Cohort Code: XMEDSENGL
• Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.00
• Graduate Courses Approved to Count for Both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees:
  • EDUC 5402: Child and Adol Develop (3 credits)
  • MGSE 5641: Teaching Written Composition in the Secondary School (3 credits)
  • MGSE 5642: Teaching Literature and Reading in the Secondary School (3 credits)
  • SPED 5666: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
• Suggested Academic Plan:
  • Year 3:
    • Fall: EDUC 5402 (3 credits)
    • Spring: SPED 5666 (3 credits)
  • Year 4:
    • Fall: MGSE 5642 (3 credits)
    • Spring: MGSE 5641 (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 12