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Graduate Catalog | 2018-2019 Previous Edition
Middle and Secondary Grades, M.Ed.
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The Master of Education in Middle and Secondary Grades has been developed specifically for experienced licensed teachers in middle and secondary schools who desire advanced study in content and pedagogy, and seek an opportunity to integrate advanced study with their teaching experiences. In addition, candidates acquire the skills, knowledge, dispositions, and abilities required to assume a leadership role. For example, candidates are required to take Teacher Leadership within their final two semesters, a course that better prepares them to become content department chairs, interdisciplinary team leaders, or staff development specialists. Furthermore, by admitting only experienced teachers, candidates serve as resources for one another and become active members in a community of professionals who are knowledgeable, effective, and committed practitioners. At the conclusion of the program, graduates become teacher leaders who understand and establish respectful educational environments, demonstrate content and curriculum expertise, effectively support student learning through evidence-based research, and exhibit systematic, critical analysis of learning through purposeful and meaningful reflection. Finally, because this degree focuses on a teacher’s professional growth, it requires completion of a comprehensive portfolio or capstone research project, which is determined by the individual program’s requirements.
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Program Goals
Successful graduates possess a comprehensive pedagogical, conceptual, and reflective knowledge base that can be applied to their classrooms through effective instruction, responsivity, and collaboration. This developed and applied knowledge is, in turn, shared with other professionals through a variety of leadership opportunities. Both the College’s Conceptual Framework and the following goals provide structure for the entire program.
Program graduates are able to:
- Self-direct their personal and professional growth
- Respond effectively to adolescent differences, equity and diversity, and global learning communities
- Demonstrate advanced pedagogical content knowledge of the curriculum, as well as apply 21st knowledge, skills, and technical expertise
- Improve educational practice through critical self-reflection, self-assessment, and applied research
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, professionals, parents, guardians, families and individuals charged with the well-being of learners
- Assume a leadership role at the local, district, regional, state, or national level
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Connections
A unique feature of this program is its strategic alignment with core propositions, skill sets, academic language, and concepts from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Activities are designed to provide information and support to potential and current candidates. They also account for recent certification program changes by the NBPTS.
Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- For candidates who will apply for the North Carolina “M” license, a North Carolina “A” license (Standard Professional 1 [SP1] Professional Educator’s License) in Middle Grades (6-9), Secondary Education (9-12), or English as a Second Language (ESL), or the equivalent from another state in both the concentration and content field of the program to which the candidate is making application
- Teaching experience in a middle grades or secondary classroom (Middle Grades or Secondary Education Concentration only)
- An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 overall and 3.0 in the Junior/Senior years
- An acceptable score on the GRE or MAT
- A written narrative providing a statement of purpose for Master’s degree study
- Satisfactory recommendations from three professional educators
Degree Requirements
The M.Ed. in Middle and Secondary Grades degree requires a total of 33 credit hours of coursework. Candidates must select and fulfill the requirements of one of three concentrations: (1) Middle Grades Education, (2) Secondary Education, or (3) Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). The selected concentration must match the candidate’s initial A license, as issued by the state of North Carolina for students seeking an “M” license.
Middle Grades Education Concentration
Core Courses (18 credit hours)
Middle Grades Course (3 credit hours)
Advanced Content Specialization and Advanced Methods Courses (9 credit hours)
Advanced Methods Course (3 credit hours)
Students choose one from their content concentration:
Advanced Content Specialization Courses (6 credit hours)
Students select two courses from the following options in their content area:
English
- ENGL 5000-6999 (3)
- READ 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
Mathematics
- MAED 5000-6999 (3)
- MATH 5000-6999 (3)
- STAT 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
Science
- BIOL 5000-6999 (3)
- CHEM 5000-6999 (3)
- ESCI 5000-6999 (3)
- GEOG 5000-6999 (3)
- PHYS 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
Social Studies
- AFRS 5000-6999 (3)
- GEOG 5000-6999 (3)
- HIST 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
- POLS 5000-6999 (3)
- RELS 5000-6999 (3)
- WGST 5000-6999 (3)
Advanced Specialization Pedagogy Course (3 credit hours)
A graduate-level pedagogy course should be chosen in consultation with student’s advisor. Possible elective options include, and are limited to one of, the following:
Secondary Education Concentration
Core Courses (18 credit hours)
Advanced Content Specialization and Advanced Methods Courses (12 credit hours)
Advanced Methods Course (3 credit hours)
Students select one from their content concentration:
Advanced Content Specialization Courses (9 credit hours)
Students select three courses from the following options in their content area:
English
- ENGL 5000-6999 (3)
- READ 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
Mathematics
- MAED 5000-6999 (3)
- MATH 5000-6999 (3)
- STAT 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
Science
- BIOL 5000-6999 (3)
- CHEM 5000-6999 (3)
- ESCI 5000-6999 (3)
- GEOG 5000-6999 (3)
- PHYS 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
Social Studies
- AFRS 5000-6999 (3)
- GEOG 5000-6999 (3)
- HIST 5000-6999 (3)
- MDSK 5000-6999 (3) (topics course that is content specific)
- POLS 5000-6999 (3)
- RELS 5000-6999 (3)
- WGST 5000-6999 (3)
Note:
For students interested in teaching at the community college level, Master’s degrees with concentrations in Mathematics Education and English Education are offered through the Departments of Mathematics & Statistics and English, respectively. Please see the individual M.S. in Mathematics and M.A. in English sections of the Graduate Catalog for details.
Advanced Specialized Pedagogy Course (3 credit hours)
Select a pedagogy course with advisor consultation. Possible elective options include, and are limited to, one of the following:
Teaching English as a Second Language Concentration
The Concentration in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) is designed to prepare teachers to work with K-12 learners in the public schools. Additionally, it prepares candidates to teach in adult ESL (English as a Second Language) or in international contexts. The program provides a pathway to ESL licensure for current teachers who already possess an “A” level license in another teaching discipline. This program serves the current needs of the educational community by preparing highly qualified teachers to work with diverse English Learners (ELs) in a variety of educational settings.
Core Courses (12 credit hours)
Advanced Methods Course (3 credit hours)
Advanced Specialization Courses (18 credit hours)
Capstone Experience
Students in all concentrations must complete a capstone experience. They complete either a comprehensive portfolio or research project, as assigned by their program advisor.
Advising
Each candidate will have an assigned advisor within the Department of Middle Grades, Secondary, and K-12 Education.
Licensure
Graduates of the M.Ed. who have an “A” license will be eligible to receive an Advanced Competency “M” license (Standard Professional 2 [SP2] Professional Educator’s License) in Middle Grades (6-9), Secondary (9-12), or English as a Second Language (ESL) from the state of North Carolina in addition to their Master’s Degree.
Note: Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s Licenses are intended for teachers with 3 or more years of teaching experience, and are valid for five years. Teachers who are fully licensed and “Highly Qualified” in another state who have three or more years of teaching experience in another state AND who meet NC’s Praxis testing requirements OR have National Board Certification are issued the SP2 Professional Educator’s license.
Committees
Candidates convene a committee of three graduate faculty members whom they select with assistance from their department advisor if a research project is required as the capstone experience. The primary role of this committee is to assess the research project. All other candidates complete the comprehensive portfolio which is guided by the course instructor for MDSK 6691 .
Research Opportunities and Experiences
There are many opportunities for candidates to participate in research studies on either an independent or collaborative basis. These opportunities are available with Department faculty members, through assigned coursework, and through the research project.
Program Certifications/Accreditation
Programs are accredited by both NCATE and NCDPI.
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