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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| EDTC 5401 | Introduction to Educational Technology | 3 |
| EDUC 5429 | Philosophical Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5441 | Teaching and Learning within Multicultural Contexts of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5442 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 6512 | Contemporary Schooling in Society | 3 |
| EDUC 6552 | Research for Action and Advocacy in School and Community Settings | 3 |
| EDUC 6598 | edTPA Portfolio 1 | 0 |
| SPED 5403 | Foundations in Research and Evaluation of Psychoeducational Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 6565 | Evidence-Based Strategies in the Inclusive Classroom | 3 |
| Discipline-Specific Courses | ||
| Select 18-24 credits in Discipline-Specific coursework (see below) | 18-24 | |
| Master's Project | ||
| EDUC 6999 | Capstone: Educating for Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 45-51 | |
- 1
$300 edTPA registration fee
- 2
May be substituted with TSLA 6999A Capstone Seminar in Inclusive Language Teaching for World Language students only.
Note: Grade of B (3.0) or better is required in student teaching.
Discipline-Specific Coursework
English
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 5410 | Literature for Young Adults | 3 |
| EDUC 5411 | Teaching Writing in the 3-12 Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 5417 | Teaching and Learning Grammar | 3 |
| EDUC 5455 | The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-12 | 3 |
| EDUC 5466 | English Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 6581 | Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5589 | Supervised Student Teaching/DSAP with Seminar: English | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
History/Social Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 5468 | Social Studies/History Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 6515 | Economic and Physical Geography | 3 |
| EDUC 6581 | Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5594 | Supervised Student Teaching/DSAP with Seminar: Social Studies/History | 3 |
| Select one elective in American Studies with advisor approval | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Mathematics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 5455 | The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-12 | 3 |
| EDUC 5464 | Mathematics Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 5591 | Supervised Student Teaching/DSAP with Seminar: Mathematics | 3 |
| EDUC 6581 | Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education | 3 |
| Select two graduate-level mathematics electives in Statistics and Geometry with advisor approval 2 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 2
If taken previously, alternate courses may be selected with advisor approval.
Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 5462 | Science Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 5592 | Supervised Student Teaching/DSAP with Seminar Science | 3 |
| EDUC 6572 | Guided Research in Science | 3 |
| EDUC 6573 | Instructional Issues in Teaching Science | 3 |
| EDUC 6581 | Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 5455 | The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-12 | 3 |
| EDUC 5463 | World Language Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 5593 | Supervised Student Teaching/DSAP with Seminar: World Languages | 3 |
| EDUC 6581 | Directed Observation and Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary Education | 3 |
| TSLA 6439 | Methods of Foreign Language Teaching for Elementary School | 3 |
| TSLA 5467 | Language Acquisition | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |