Master of Arts in Secondary Education with Initial Certification with Discipline-Specific Coursework

The MA in Secondary Education provides candidates with the theoretical and pedagogical knowledge and skills needed for initial certification in Secondary Education (Grades 7-12) in one of five subject areas: English, Math, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or General Science), Social Studies/History, and World Language (French, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish). Through a combination of foundational and subject-specific coursework, field experiences, and a culminating master's project, candidates earn both their initial certification and master's degree.

For the MA in Secondary Education, candidates complete all core and discipline-specific course work, including the following:

Core Curriculum
EDTC 5401Introduction to Educational Technology3
EDUC 5429Philosophical Foundations of Education3
EDUC 5441Teaching and Learning within Multicultural Contexts of Education3
EDUC 5442Educational Psychology3
EDUC 6512Contemporary Schooling in Society3
EDUC 6552Research for Action and Advocacy in School and Community Settings3
EDUC 6598edTPA Portfolio 10
SPED 5403Foundations in Research and Evaluation of Psychoeducational Issues in Special Education3
SPED 6565Evidence-Based Strategies in the Inclusive Classroom3
Discipline-Specific Courses
Select 18-24 credits in Discipline-Specific coursework (see below)18-24
Master's Project
EDUC 6999Capstone: Educating for Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement 23
Total Credits45-51

Note: Grade of B (3.0) or better is required in student teaching.

Discipline-Specific Coursework

English

EDUC 5410Literature for Young Adults3
EDUC 5411Teaching Writing in the 3-12 Classroom3
EDUC 5417Teaching and Learning Grammar3
EDUC 5455The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-123
EDUC 5466English Methods3
EDUC 6581Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education6
EDUC 6589English Seminar3
Total Credits24

History/Social Studies

EDUC 5468Social Studies/History Methods3
EDUC 6515Economic and Physical Geography3
EDUC 6581Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education6
EDUC 6594Social Studies/History Seminar3
Select one elective in American Studies with advisor approval3
Total Credits18

Mathematics

EDUC 5455The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-123
EDUC 5464Mathematics Methods3
EDUC 6581Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education6
EDUC 6591Mathematics Seminar3
Select two graduate-level mathematics electives in Statistics and Geometry with advisor approval 26
Total Credits21

Science

EDUC 5462Science Methods3
EDUC 6572Guided Research in Science3
EDUC 6573Instructional Issues in Teaching Science3
EDUC 6581Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education6
EDUC 6592Science Seminar3
Total Credits18

World Language

The Secondary Education World Language Program is nationally recognized by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Additionally, initial certification (7-12) at the graduate level is offered for French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin. Candidates interested in teaching middle school or elementary grades can also earn a k-12 cross-endorsement. The program benefits from the University's location near schools with long-established k-12 World Language programs. Experience is gained and classroom knowledge is applied at the elementary and secondary levels during field observations, practicum and student teaching placements. One program strength is the network of experienced teachers, newly certified teachers, and administrators (many of whom are Fairfield graduates) who share their knowlege and expertise at local and regional meetings and act as mentors to Fairfield students.

EDUC 5455The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-123
EDUC 5463World Language Methods3
EDUC 6581Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education6
EDUC 6593World Language Seminar3
TSLA 6439Methods of Foreign Language Teaching for Elementary School3
TSLA 5467Language Acquisition3
Total Credits21