Secondary Education, Graduate Certificate

I. Contact Information

Margaret M. Ferrara, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Coordinator of Secondary Education
College of Education
ferrara@unr.edu
(775) 682-7530

II. Brief Introduction

The Professional Certificate in Secondary Education Teacher Licensure enables students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a field other than education to become licensed to teach in Nevada. This program does not lead to a master’s degree but does result in a graduate certificate.  Before applying to the Secondary Professional Graduate Certificate Program, students should consult the Secondary Masters First-Time Licensure manual to determine which option is most appropriate.  Some or all of the graduate credits earned in the Secondary Professional Graduate Certificate Program may be transferred into a Secondary M.Ed. Program should the student decide to apply to such a program at a later date. 

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Unlike the previous Professional Degree program in Secondary Education, the Secondary Professional Graduate Certificate Program includes only graduate courses that lead to certification.  In this way, students are engaged in learning through advanced courses in curriculum, instruction, and assessment along with students in graduate level programs (e.g., Master of Education in Secondary Education).

As part of this program, students will:

1. Complete an innovative licensure and endorsement program that meets the needs for school districts to prepare teachers and other professionals in potential shortage areas in classrooms (e.g., the sciences and mathematics).
2. Be engaged in opportunities to continue on beyond the licensure program to complete a terminal graduate degree in a Master of Education in Secondary Education or a Master of Arts or a Master of Science in Secondary Education.
3. Demonstrate sound and meaningful skills to work in a school setting to provide sound and engaging learning and content for the 21st century’s classroom learners.

IV. Admission Requirements

Students need to have an earned bachelor’s degree.  Their undergraduate GPA must be a 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.  Students need to submit an application; a signed disposition sheet (NCATE set of beliefs in place in the College of Education); transcripts from all previous college work (unless already on file at UNR); an essay of three to five pages, 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 candidates as a teacher; a resume or curriculum vitae focusing on education-related experiences; and two letters of recommendation that support the candidate’s ability to be successful working with students in a learning setting.  In addition, the candidate needs to meet pre-professional Praxis I testing requirements.  The new test will be available on July 1, 2014.

V. Program Requirements

Program completers are those who meet the requirements in Nevada Constitution, US History and Nevada School Law, and complete all licensure coursework including the student teaching internship. Students will be required to take CTL 702, EDSP 611, CTL 620, a content methods course, CTL 650, a family engagement course, and the internship or an appropriate substitution.

• CTL 620 - Sociocultural Concerns in Education (3 units) Or substitute  
• CTL 650 - General Secondary Teaching Methods (4 units)
• CTL 702 - Critical Issues in Secondary Education (3 units)
• EDSP 611 - Students with Disabilities in General Education Settings (3 units)
• Content Methods (3 units)
• Family Involvement (3 units)
• Internship (9 units)
• Additional Course for English majors only (3 units)

VI. Total Units (28-31 units)