Secondary Education, M.S.

I. Contact Information

Margaret Ferrara, Graduate Program Director
ferrara@unr.edu
(775) 682-7530

Mailing Address:

University of Nevada, Reno
College of Education, Mail Stop 0299
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557-0330

II. Brief Introduction

The Master of Arts and Master of Science in Secondary Education are programs for practicing teachers who want to improve their skills and content knowledge in particular emphasis areas such as math education, science education, humanities education, MSTS Math, Science, Technology and Society, and curriculum studies. Students will have developed an in depth understanding of pedagogy and the literature of their teaching field and be able to apply that knowledge to their teaching practice. Teacher leadership is stressed with graduates able to interpret and evaluate research findings and their applicability to 7-12 teaching levels.

• For students who are not licensed Nevada teachers, licensure courses may be taken as part of a master’s degree. Several areas of emphasis are available within each.
• For students holding a teaching license, it is possible to earn credits toward an endorsement in ESL.
• It is also possible, upon admission to a postbaccalaureate licensure program (in elementary, special or secondary education), to concurrently pursue a graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. See the departments for more information.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

• The candidate understands the historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education and their relevance to current educational policy and practice.
• The candidate understands the theories that explain how students of diverse backgrounds develop and learn.
• The candidate is able to integrate knowledge of learning and curriculum theory with knowledge of instruction.
• The candidate understands and uses knowledge of methods of research and assessment to examine his/her professional practice in order to improve decisions and actions that impact students and their learning.
• The candidate demonstrates growth as a professional educator by engaging in thoughtful analysis, active inquiry, informed decision making, and goal setting for personal learning and development.

IV. Admission Requirements

Applicants need to meet and/or complete the following:

• Completion of the program application
• GPA of 2.75 or higher
• 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

Areas of emphasis are available based on teaching field and expertise. The specific curriculum requirements are adapted to the professional 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.

In addition to admission requirements specified by each department, applicants must be qualified in the professional judgment of the College of Education faculty.

V. Program Requirements

The MA and MS Degrees in Secondary Education require students to develop a program in conjunction with their advisor and committee that includes a minimum of 36 graduate credits, at least 15 of which must be at the 700-level and at least 6 of which are outside the program or college. In order to earn the master of arts, master of science or master of education degrees, students must complete 32 to 67 credits of approved courses with a major in education. Master of arts and master of science degree programs, in some areas, may also require a six-credit thesis. 

All degree candidates are required to complete a research course. All students are also required to take 1 to 3 credits of comprehensive examination which may or may not be above the 36 credits of approved courses. A maximum of six graduate credits of S/U grades may be applied toward a master’s degree.

Completion Requirements for the master’s degree include:

1. Filing a program of study, approved by the Graduate School
2. Maintaining a 3.0 GPA in all graduate work
3. Successful completion of the Advanced Performance Assessment requirement
4. Completion of all requirements listed in the specific master’s degree manual

Generally, students are advised to enroll in improvement courses for in-service education at the graduate level. These courses are also offered in extension or branch centers, workshops, short conferences, evening schools and individual problem courses by arrangement. Inquiries are encouraged.

VI. Total Units (36 units)