Secondary Education graduate programs may aim at educating the educators – helping prepare them for their role in the classroom by giving them the techniques, methods, and skills that could come into play each day. In addition, pursuing a degree program could assist those looking for a new career path, giving them the opportunity to learn the knowledge and skills that may be needed to take their first steps into the classroom.
With the variety of programs offered in just as many convenient formats, there may be a perfect program suited not only for you, but could be best for your lifestyle, schedule, and top personal career goals.
Secondary education graduate degree programs may offer master’s, doctorates, or graduate certificate tracks. You may be asking yourself, why should I earn a graduate degree in secondary education? The answer is, there could be a lot of reasons! For current teachers, it could be to meet a state requirement to maintain their licensure. For those entering the field, it could be a great way to earn your license and begin a career.[i]
Not convinced yet? Here are a few facts that could tip the scales in favor of a secondary education graduate degree program:
With so many potential choices for your secondary education graduate degree program, it may seem a bit confusing! Deciding on the necessary criteria for your program could be a great way to narrow down the field. Did you already earn an undergraduate degree in education? Are you currently teaching? What are your specific career goals? With these in mind, it could be easier to pick a degree program that checks your required boxes!
Do keep in mind, some programs may require students to already have their teaching license before enrollment. Check your course catalog to ensure that requirements are met prior to applying.
As with many degree programs, admission requirements for secondary education master’s programs may differ based on the course intensity and your past teaching experience. Programs may require applicants to hold a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA. Other general admissions requirements could be official transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays, CVs and resumes, and a professional teaching portfolio. Make sure to check your school’s admission policies to ensure requirements are fulfilled.
New to the educational field? Make sure your chosen program also offers a licensure program. This way, you could begin your career immediately post-graduation. Some schools that do not offer a licensure program solely accept currently licensed educators, so be sure to find a program to fit your needs.
Master’s degree programs could come in a few of the following formats:
To be admitted to a secondary education doctorate program, schools may require a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, as well as GRE scores. Earning a doctoral degree in secondary education could involve undergoing intensive coursework, and depending on the depth of your study, the program may take anywhere from 3 to 6 years to complete. Program lengths and subject areas vary by school. Many doctoral programs may require dissertation coursework as part of their curriculum. Be sure to check your school’s course catalog to ensure class criteria are completed.
A doctorate of education (EdD) in instructional leadership may prepare teachers to pursue leadership roles within a school system by focusing on clinical research implementation. Professional skills may be honed with research based coursework that could include educational policy studies and creation, conflict resolution, and using evidence-based data to address educational hurdles. This degree program may not be suited for those seeking to enter the educational field, but may fit those looking to take the next step and enhance their teaching career.
Graduate certificate programs in secondary education may be a great way for students to more quickly jumpstart their career in the educational field or for current teachers considering pursuing a master’s degree at a later date. For those new to the field, this is great news because the programs may not require an undergraduate degree in education. For those already teaching, this could be a great way to test the waters of a master’s degree to see if the coursework could fit your busy schedule. These programs may be quicker than a doctoral or master’s degree program, taking anywhere from 1 to 2 years to complete depending on the school. Admission departments may require a 2.5 to 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Coursework may vary, but typical studies could include:
Students obtaining a graduate certificate may be required to pass state licensure exams before or during enrollment. Be sure to check with your school to make sure criteria are completed.
Completing an accredited graduate degree program is not required for state licensure, but doing so means students are studying a standard national education curriculum. The U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as a professional accrediting body for teacher preparation. The NCATE accredits schools, colleges, and departments of education in U.S. colleges and universities, as well as non-university entities that prepare educators for P-12 schools[iv].
| Secondary Education Graduate Program | Topics Covered | Average Length to Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Masters of Arts in Teaching - Concentration in Secondary Education | Classroom management, Curriculum Development and Implementation, Teaching methods | 2-3 Years |
| Master of Science in Secondary Education | In-Classroom Skills, Pedagogical strategies, Classroom development | 2-3 Years |
| Doctorate in Secondary Education | In Depth Study of Secondary Education | 3-6 Years |
| EdD in Instructional Leadership | Strategies Educational Leadership, Clinical Research Implementation, Quantitative Research | 3-6 Years |
| Graduate Certificates in Secondary Education | Teaching theory, Lesson Planning, Core Curriculum | 1-2 Years |
Now that you’ve picked one of the secondary education graduate programs for your goals, it’s time to consider which learning format supports your lifestyle. Secondary education degree programs are presented in many ways, so there may be one that lines up with your own day-to-day schedule – whether that means work, additional coursework, or family time.
Out of the different choices of secondary education graduate programs, there could be a perfect secondary education graduate program out there for you – whether you’re looking to take your first few steps into the classroom, or you already have your undergraduate degree and are searching for the next big push. Now that you made your decision to start your search, GradSchools.com is ready to help! Select your preferred program and format to narrow down your search. You could also refine your results further by selecting your city and state. We hope you find a great secondary education graduate program today!
Sources: [i]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm | [ii]bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm#Education| [iii]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-4 | [iv] ncate.org/
Sponsored Listings
GCU offers a variety of M.A. and M.Ed. education programs designed for current educators looking to take the next step in their career. Earn your degree from an accredited non-profit university. No Application Fee!
Sponsored Listings
Subscribe for information on earning a graduate degree
By entering my email address and clicking "Sign Up" I agree to be contacted by EducationDynamics for additional education products and services, this submission is not required to use our site. Privacy Policy.
Advertise | About | FAQs | Update Programs | Terms of Use | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Disclosure: What Determines Top/Best? | Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA and NV residents)
© Gradschools 2020. All Rights Reserved.
The sources for school statistics and data is the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System unless otherwise noted.
Disclosure: EducationDynamics receives compensation for many of the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored School(s)” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results” or “Featured Graduate School(s)”. So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.
This is an offer for educational opportunities, not an offer for nor a guarantee of employment. Students should consult with a representative from the school they select to learn more about career opportunities in that field. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific program curriculum. Specific School Disclosures. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The information on this page is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid.
