Master of Education in Secondary Education

• Download the Degree Sheet
• Introduction
• Quotes About the Program
• Employment
• FAQ
• Contact and Admissions Information

Advancing Pedagogical Skills and Content Area Expertise for Traditionally and Alternatively Certified Teachers

The goal of the M. Ed.-Secondary Education Program is to provide professional educators a broader cultural and professional development than is possible to achieve on the undergraduate level and to improve the instructional knowledge and skills which will be required in professional work. The M. Ed.-Secondary Education program is based on the College of Education and Professional Studies’ conceptual framework—to prepare outstanding professionals who are reflective, responsive, and resourceful throughout their professional careers—and it is the aligned with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Our 32-hour program provides teachers

• the opportunity to further develop subject area knowledge.
• a repertoire of research-based instructional strategies (design, delivery, and assessment) to promote differentiated instruction and student success.
• practice collecting and analyzing quantitative/ qualitative evidence gathered in their own classrooms of how implemented pedagogy impacts student learning.
• an opportunity to present scholarly research and, consequently, to make a professional contribution to the field of education.
• academic and research experiences beneficial to those pursuing doctoral studies.
• activities that parallel those required for National Board Certification.
• an opportunity for those pursuing National Board Certification to transfer in six hours of elective credit from an accredited institution: 3 hours for successful completion of an approved National Board Certification training seminar and 3 hours of elective credit for those who successfully complete National Board Certification.
• skills to enhance personal and professional satisfaction working with secondary students.
• a Master’s degree with successful completion of the program.

To Support Alternative Teacher Certification...
the M.Ed.-Secondary Education Program at UCO provides a pathway to degree completion specifically designed for those pursuing or completing requirements for alternative teacher certification in Oklahoma. We offer four courses providing alternatively certified teachers or individuals pursuing alternative teacher certification fundamental and practical tools for immediate use in secondary classrooms.

PTE 5333: Meeting Secondary Students' Needs
This course focuses on understanding adolescents’ physical, cognitive and psychosocial development as well as the impact of family, culture, and socioeconomic status on student learning and classroom instruction. Field Applications in secondary schools allow students to apply course concepts in actual classrooms.

PTE 5522: Designing Instruction for Secondary Students
This course prepares students to design and teach effective lessons to facilitate student learning based on appropriate theoretical frameworks. Multiple strategies for enhancing student learning will be explored including, but not limited to, lecture, demonstration, simulation, projects, experiments, dramatization, and group processes. Students will learn to utilize the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills in lesson planning and delivery.

PTE 5533: Managing Secondary Classrooms
This course prepares students to utilize current theory and best practices related to behavior, motivation, and communication to create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, self motivation, and active engagement in learning. Field Applications in secondary schools allow students to apply course concepts in actual classrooms.

PTE 5623: Secondary Class Assessment
This course focuses on the design, delivery, analysis, and utilization of results of classroom assessments to enhance student learning in the secondary classroom. Students will also learn to utilize data from standardized tests and make appropriate instructional decisions. Additionally, the course will examine the standardized testing process, as well as legal, ethical, and diversity issues in assessment.

Of Special Note...

• Up to 9 hours of these courses will count toward the 32-hour M.Ed.-Secondary Education degree.
• Although we encourage students to complete the entire 32-hour program, students who wish complete only State-required coursework hours for alternative certification are welcome.
• All students, whether degree or non-degree seeking, MUST be admitted to UCO’s Graduate College.
• This program does NOT lead to alternative certification; it provides practical tools and advances the skills of those pursuing or fulfilling requirements of this certification. Questions regarding the alternative certification process should be directed to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Professional Standards Section (405) 521-3337.

Quotes About the Program

"If I had to sum up in one word what makes this program unique and a step above my undergraduate studies is the word, 'EXPERIENCE'... In each of my classes I have gained valuable insights from not only the instructors, but also many of my classmates. That is an intangible that is difficult to get from a textbook... My understanding of Secondary Education has been immeasurably increased by the 'real life' stories from those who have worked in or are still teaching in the classrooms of our local communities." - Wayne Petree, M.Ed.-Secondary Education Graduate, May 2009

"UCO provided me with an opportunity to grow as a student, and also as an educator. I learned countless practical ideas that I could use in my own classroom. I loved the small class sizes, and the professors went out of their way to support, challenge, and inspire me." - Jessica Wise, M.Ed.-Secondary Education Graduate, Summer 2007

Employment

Graduates from this program have found employment with a number of school districts in the metropolitan area including Edmond, Guthrie, Moore, Norman, Putnam City, and Oklahoma City.

FAQ

Who can apply for the program?

• You must hold a bachelor's degree in any area.
• You must meet requirements for admission for graduate studies through the Joe Jackson College of Graduate Studies. Go to the Joe Jackson College of Graduate Studies Admissions website to obtain the application form and to review admission requirements.
• There are no additional admission requirements for acceptance into the M. Ed.-Secondary Education Program.

What do I do after I have been admitted to the Master of Secondary Education Program?
Contact Dr. Mike Nelson, Program Coordinator, M.Ed.-Secondary Education to arrange a time for advisement to develop a Plan of Study. Each student is required to file a plan of study with the program coordinator and the Jackson College of Graduate Studies by the end of the first semester of graduate work.

Will I be able to get my Oklahoma teaching certificate at the same time I am getting my master's degree?
The teaching credential is a separate issue from obtaining a master's degree. You can contact one of the following to obtain information on the two (2) paths to qualify for an Oklahoma teaching credential.

To obtain an alternative certification contact the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Professional Standards Section, (405) 521-3337. To be endorsed and warrantied by UCO, you will need to complete the professional program in your area. For advisement and additional information contact: Karen Davis, Residency & Certification Coordinator.

What coursework is required to obtain a Master's of Secondary Education?
We offer two paths that lead to the completion of a degree. One path is designed for the traditionally certified teacher, and the other path for alternatively certified teachers or individuals pursuing alternative certification. Besides the coursework you must successfully complete all program portfolio artifacts. The graduate catalog provides details of the course work required to complete the program.

1. Professional Education - 15 hours minimum A. Professional Education Required Course Work - 13 hours minimum

2. Each one of the following courses is required in the program:

   PTE 5013 Foundations of Educational Research
   PTE 5203 Advanced Educational Psychology
   PTE 5153 Advanced Developmental Psych in an Educational Setting
   PTE 5892 Capstone Research Experience

   Select ONE of the following three courses:

   PTE 5112 Modern Philosophies of Education
   PTE 5142 History of Education
   PTE 5172 Educational Sociology

3. Professional Education Electives - 3 hours minimum

   Select three hours minimum from any of the following courses:

   PTE 5383 Principles of Tests and Measurements
   PTE 5413 Educational Statistics

   Any of the following that was NOT completed for Area A: PTE 5112, PTE 5142, or PTE 5172

4. Teaching Specialization - 8 hours minimum

   Select eight (8) semester hours of graduate level course work in the teaching specialization area in which the person holds/intends to hold teacher certification. Consult with the specialization area program adviser.

5. Electives to Total 32 Hours

   Path I for Traditionally Certified Teachers:
   Choice of Education-Related or Subject Area Electives

6. Path II for Alternatively Certified Teachers:
   Select eight hours minimum from the following list of courses:

   PTE 5333 Meeting Secondary Students' Needs
   PTE 5522 Designing Instruction for Secondary Students
   PTE 5533 Managing Secondary Classrooms
   PTE 5623 Secondary Class Assessment

What is the Program Portfolio?
The portfolio is required for all teacher preparation and teacher advancement programs and provides data that is used to document the success of the program and to identify areas in need of improvement. Completion of the program portfolio is a requirement for graduation. The Secondary Education program requires the completion of seven (7) portfolio artifacts. Five of these artifacts will be completed as course assignments. One will be completed in Advanced Developmental Psychology in the Educational Setting (PTE 5153). Two (2) will be completed in Advanced Educational Psychology (PTE 5203), and two (2) will be completed during Capstone (PTE 5912). The remaining two artifacts (Artifacts 1 & 7) will be completed outside of class as entry and exit requirements during the first and last semesters in the program.

• Download the Program Portfolio Packet

Is there a required field application/experience component?
There is a 10-hour field application associated with PTE 5333 and with PTE 5533. If a student is currently employed as a teacher, his or her teaching assignment serves as the field application.

Contact and Admissions Information

• Dr. Mike Nelson, Program Coordinator, M.Ed.-Secondary Education
• Ms. Emily Blaess, Coordinator Graduate Student Admissions, College of Education and Professional Studies
• Apply for Admission to the Graduate College