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M.Ed. Program Requirements

The M.Ed. in Secondary Education addresses the North Carolina Masters/Advanced Competencies which include standards in Instructional Expertise, Knowledge of Learners, Research Expertise, Connecting Subject Matter and Learners, and Professional Development and Leadership. The graduate program incorporates the conceptual framework which is common to all teacher education programs at UNCW: The Watson School of Education develops highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.

Program Objectives Upon completion of the graduate Secondary Education program, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate breadth of general knowledge, as well as depth of knowledge in the selected discipline area necessary for effective instructional decision making.
2. Demonstrate a well-articulated knowledge of high school communities and issues affecting teaching in a high school setting.
3. Communicate effectively in standard English both verbally and in written formats.
4. Adapt instructional strategies to the developmental and learning needs of individuals, including adolescents with special needs and students from culturally diverse backgrounds.
5. Establish a classroom climate conducive to the learning, social, and emotional needs of adolescents.
6. Choose objectives consistent with state and local curriculum guidelines, the learning needs of students, and guidelines established by learned societies.
7. Use technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
8. Employ and analyze appropriate assessments and evaluative procedures.
9. Demonstrate effective teaching including positive results for student learning, self-reflection, and appropriate professional dispositions.
10. Demonstrate instructional leadership through service to public schools.

 

I. Professional Core (18 hours)

EDN 506 Advanced Methods of Secondary Instruction (3)
EDN 520 Instructional Development (3)
EDN 523 Research in Education (3)
EDN 528 Secondary School Organization (3)
EDN 565 Applied Research Practicum in Secondary Schools (3)
EDN 579 Instructional Leadership in Secondary Schools (3)

II. Academic Specialization (21 hours)

Courses must be approved by advisor.

A. English

21 semester hours are required including:
ENG 501 Introduction to Research Methods (3)
ENG 502 Introduction to Literary Theory (3)

In addition, students selecting the literature focus must select at least two courses in the study of literature which may include EDN 545: Black Literature and Resources for Teachers and other appropriate courses which develop multicultural awareness.
Students may utilize the remaining nine semester hours to extend one or more of the following areas of interest: linguistics, writing, or literature.

Students selecting the critical literacy focus are required to complete
ENG 552 Rhetoric and Culture (3)
ENG 554 Theories and Practices of Critical Literacy (3)

Students should select fifteen hours of additional courses which enhance pedagogical
development and disciplinary content knowledge.

B. History

21 semester hours are required including:
HST 500 Historiography (3)

In addition, one course each in United States, European, and Global history, and nine
hours of graduate electives in history or other social studies disciplines are required.

C. Mathematics

21 semester hours are required.
Students select 21 hours including:
MAT 511-512 Real Analysis I, II (3-3)
MAT 541-542 Modern Algebra I, II (3-3)

D. Science

21 semester hours are required. Students will select 21 hours of graduate science
coursework based upon previous academic preparation.

Competence in appropriate inquiry procedures will be developed through the required course, EDN 523: Research in Education, and other projects required in various courses. Culminating requirements include submission of a performance portfolio and an oral defense.

E. Spanish

Students select 21 semester hours including 9 credit hours from the following courses:

• SPN 500: Advanced Writing Techniques (3)
• SPN 511: Topics in Spanish Civilization or SPN 512: Topics in Spanish American Civilization (3)
• SPN 521: Studies in Spanish Literature or SPN 522: Studies in Spanish American Literature (3)

Additional Spanish courses to be chosen from the following: (12 credit hours total)

• SPN 501 Translation Techniques & Practices (3)
• SPN 505 Conversation & Composition (3)
• SPN 507 Topics in Spanish Phonetics and Phonology (3)
• SPN 508 Topics in Hispanic Linguistics (3)
• SPN 511 Topics in Spanish Civilization (3)
• SPN 512 Topics in Spanish American Civilization (3)
• SPN 521 Studies in Spanish Literature (3)
• SPN 522 Studies in Spanish American Literature (3)
• SPN 595 Seminar in Hispanic Studies (May be repeated for up to 6 credit hrs.)
• SPN 598 Internship (limited to 3 hrs.)
• SPN 591 Directed Individual Studies (limited to 3 credit hrs. and offered on a limited basis)

Students must choose at least one Spanish-related and one Spanish American-related course from SPN 511, 512, 521, and 522. Only a total of 3 hrs. of credit may be accepted from SPN 591 and SPN 598 combined.