High-Impact Master's Education
The Master's Degree in Secondary Education (MEd) offers teacher candidates an opportunity to complete a course of study in secondary school (middle/high school) programs to become highly qualified in their licensure area.
Application Dates
Applicants wishing for admittance into the program in the upcoming fall semester need to apply by April 15. Applicants wishing for admittance into the program in the upcoming spring semester need to apply by October 15.
Why a Master of Secondary Education?
The Master’s Degrees in Secondary Education (M.Ed.) offers teacher candidates an opportunity to complete a course of study in secondary programs to become highly qualified in their licensure area.
For students who are not licensed Â鶹ӳ» teachers, licensure courses may be taken as part of a master’s degree. Several areas of emphasis are available within each. Students enrolled in the Washoe County School District Alternative Route to Licensure (WCSD ARL) strand of this program must work toward licensure in a content area that is approved by the WCSD ARL at the time of their enrollment into the M.Ed. program.
It is possible, upon admission to a post-baccalaureate licensure program (in secondary education), to concurrently pursue a graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.
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Admission Requirements
- Completion of the program application
- Completion of the Pre-Professional Skills Test or other basic competency exam at the level established by the Â鶹ӳ» Department of Education
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Prerequisite coursework
- A reflective essay, three to five pages in length, which discusses the candidate's understanding of the purpose of public education and how the complex issues facing secondary educators are going to affect the candidate as a teacher
- 1-2 page resume
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Qualified in the professional judgment of the program faculty
Program Requirements
The M.Ed. program is divided into two parts:
- Required course work that leads to a secondary teaching license in Â鶹ӳ», and
- Additional coursework beyond licensure to complete the requirements for a master's degree. Student need to have earned degrees in field representing teaching majors that include: art, biology, career and technical education, chemistry, earth science, English, foreign languages, general science, health, history, journalism, mathematic, music, physical education, physical science, physics, political science, social studies, speech, theater.
It should be noted that some teaching areas are in high demand and others are not.
A fast-track option is available in which students become licensed in two semesters: a fall semester followed by a spring semester. Students may move through the program at a slower pace. A full-semester Supervised Internship (student teaching) experience is required for licensure. No degree is awarded at the end of the licensure sequence. Additional credits must be taken, including one educational research course, advanced curriculum development courses, and 1 to 3 credits of comprehensive examination.
The specific curriculum requirements are adapted to the professional program and the needs of the student. Students should not enroll in any graduate-level course without first securing the approval of the department that such a course is acceptable toward a selected major or minor.
Program Hours
48 credits for teaching licensure and master's degree.
