Secondary Education, M.Ed.

I. Contact Information

Jennifer Mahon, Secondary Program Coordinator
jmahon@unr.edu
(775) 682-7534

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’s Degrees in Elementary Education and Secondary Education (MEd) offers teacher candidates an opportunity to complete a course of study in elementary school (K-8) or secondary programs to become highly qualified in their licensure area.

• 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.
• In addition, 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
• Completion of the Pre-Professional Skills Test or other basic competency exam at the level established by the Nevada 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

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.

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 M.Ed. program is divided into two parts:

1. Required course work that leads to a secondary teaching license in Nevada, and
2. 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.

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.

36 credits for teaching licensure and master’s degree

VI. Total Units (36 units)