Most Affordable Master's In Secondary Education Degrees

Overview

A strong private research university located in the heart of Massachusetts, Boston College holds ties with its Jesuit Catholic foundations. Its Lynch School of Education enrolls around 1,000 graduate students each year. Its education programs rank in the top 25 in the nation.

Features

The Master of Education in Secondary Education program at Boston College leaves the door wide open for you to specialize in any number of content areas. Additionally, students will be able to gain a Teaching English Language Learners Certificate in tandem with the degree. Some available content areas include:

• History
• Biology
• Spanish
• Mathematics

Notables

Boston College also features the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars program. This is a one-year intensive Masters of Education program that prepares graduates to work specifically in urban schools. The cohort is made up of 30 students and is a highly competitive program.

Overview

A commanding presence in the “Lonestar State,” the University of Texas at Austin is a public research university that enrolls over 51,000 students. It maintains a Public Ivy status for its impressive research endeavors and academic rigor. Kiplinger named it the #8 Best-Value Public College this year.

Features

A one-of-a-kind program, UT Austin delivers a master’s degree in STEM Education. Students can become certified in either K-6 or secondary education. The curriculum is divided into core courses, STEM content courses, research methodology courses, and electives. Here’s a look:

• Equity in STEM Education
• Curriculum History in STEM Education
• Research on Teaching and Teacher Development
• Knowing and Learning in STEM Education

Notables

This program is just the tip of the iceberg at UT Austin’s College of Education. The school also hosts the Urban Teachers program, which trains young teachers to teach in urban settings. This is also a great opportunity for undergraduates to transition into a master’s program at UT Austin.

Overview

Located in Ohio (rather than Florida as one might suspect), Miami University is one of the longest established schools in the state. It offers a liberal arts education to its undergraduates and delivers over 60 graduate-level degree programs. Miami University was one of the original Public Ivy universities.

Features

Miami University – Oxford offers a more traditional Master of Arts in Teaching program that takes around two-and-a-half years to complete. This degree will certify you to teach grades 7-12 in core subject areas such as language arts, math, science, or social studies. Courses include:

• Classroom Management in the 21st Century
• eLearning in K-12 Education
• Foundations of Multicultural Education
• Data-Informed Decision Making in Education

Notables

Along with the more traditional format, Miami University – Oxford also offers graduate assistantships for students. This gives students a chance to work closely with faculty members, as well as receive a stipend and 100 percent tuition remission.

Overview

The flagship university of the larger state system, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large research institution. In fact, last year its research expenditures nearly reached $650 million. The College of Education maintains four departments, one of which is Curriculum & Instruction.

Features

At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, you’ll be able to earn a Master of Education in Secondary Education. This degree results in a teacher’s license, though the curriculum focuses specifically on educational psychology and policy. Students can also add a content area to their degree. Core courses include:

• Early Adolescent Development
• Assessing Student Performance
• Technology & Educational Reform
• Race, Educational Policy, and Sociology

Notables

Over the two year span of this program, students will have the opportunity to experience three classroom placement locations. These placements will be catered toward your content area, whether that is English, Math, Science, or Social Studies.

Overview

One of the most prestigious institutions of the Pacific Northwest, the University of Washington is based out of Seattle. It receives over $1 billion worth of research funding each year, making it one of the most productive research universities in the nation. The College of Education enrolls over 500 students in its master’s programs.

Features

The Master in Teaching at UW Seattle incorporates a one-year Secondary Teacher Education program. This curriculum covers the foundations of education but with a special emphasis on educational equity. Here’s a look at some core classes:

• Creating Classrooms for all Students
• Multicultural Education
• Teaching for Learning
• Adolescent Development

Notables

In addition to earning your teaching license, this program will allow you to specialize in a content area: math, science, social studies, language arts, or world language. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also earn endorsements in English Language Learners and/or special education.

Overview

A small, private university nestled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lehigh University holds its own as a academically rigorous institution. Most of its 5,000 students are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. However, the College of Education is also home to 375 master’s students.

Features

At Lehigh University, you can choose between an MEd or an MA in Secondary Education. Either degree will certify you to teach grades 7-12 in Pennsylvania. The curriculum encompasses a minimum of 33 credit hours. You can expect to take courses such as:

• Diversity, Families, and School Collaborations in K-12
• Instructional Design
• Classroom Environment and Management
• Principles and Applications

Notables

This curriculum also allows you to hone your teaching skills in one particular content area. This typically includes English, social studies, science, or math. However, you can also choose from physics, biology, chemistry, and others. You’ll complete 12 content area credit hours in total.

Overview

The University of Minnesota – Duluth began as a Teachers College, and has stayed true to its educational foundations to this day. It is home to over 11,000 students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. The school offers over 110 degree areas for its students.

Features

The program at the University of Minnesota – Duluth takes the form of a Master’s in Education with the chance to specialize in secondary education curriculum. This degree requires 30 credit hours in total. Whereas others are more hands-on, this program is research based. Classes include:

• Human Diversity and Exceptionality
• Assessment of Student Learning
• Foundations of Educational Research
• Curriculum Theory and Design

Notables

Unique to this program, you’ll be able to take most of your classes online. However, on the first month of each new semester, students travel to campus to have an on-campus intensive weekend. This program takes most students around two years to complete.

Overview

Based in Manhattan, Hunter College is a public institution that serves nearly 20,000 students. It has received recognition in the past for its affordable tuition. The School of Education is home to the Department of Curriculum & Teaching, which serves both undergraduates and graduates.

Features

Through Hunter College’s Teacher Education Program, you can pursue an MA in English Adolescent Education. Your curriculum will be equally divided (24 credits each) between education classes and English classes, for a total of 48 credits. Here’s a sampling:

• Study of Young Adult Literature on our Diverse Society
• Assessment of Teaching and Learning in Adolescent Education
• English Linguistics
• Social Foundations of Adolescent Education

Notables

This program is specifically intended for students who have not already received certification or licensing in teaching. Students proceed through the program with a small cohort of just 15 students. That allows for smaller classes and more focused mentoring from faculty members.

Overview

Based in the “Big Apple,” New York University is one of New York City’s most treasured landmarks. It not only is located in New York, but also maintains campuses around the globe. NYU Steinhardt, which houses the Education Department, is centered in Brooklyn.

Features

The New York University Teacher Residency program offers a unique model to graduate students. You’ll earn an MA in Teaching in one year, while also completing a full-time residency in a classroom. Here’s the kicker: you get paid for the residency! You’ll also earn certifications in any of the following areas:

• English
• Math
• Special Education
• Science

Notables

You’ll certainly stay busy with this program. Teaching full-time while taking classes is a lot to take on. However, the courses are designed as online modules that you can move through with your personal content mentor. The classes are delivered twice a week in synchronous sessions.

Overview

Established by the U.S. Congress back in 1821, George Washington University holds some historical gravitas. Its central location in Washington, DC makes the school a hub for all things politics. The Graduate School of Education is one of GWU’s largest academic schools.

Features

Students at George Washington University will jump into a Master of Education program in Secondary Education. They can opt into either the one-year or two-year cohort. This curriculum covers 30 credit hours in total, and incorporates both coursework and student teaching:

• Theories of Learning and Development
• Instructional Models and Classroom Management
• Teacher Leadership in Education
• Professional Internship in Secondary Education

Notables

The location of George Washington University gives students in this program complete access to a huge range of school systems. For their student teaching experiences, graduates decide between urban or suburban schools, and between private, public, or chartered schools.

Overview

The flagship campus of the overall University of Wisconsin system, UW – Madison is both the oldest and largest university in the state. Over 44,000 students attend in total. It contends with other top 10 universities in the nation for its rankings in Education, Psychology, Counseling, and more.

Features

At the University of Wisconsin—​Madison, your coursework will take you through two summers and one full year. When you come out on the other side, you’ll have an MS in Curriculum & Instruction with a certification in secondary education and ESL. The coursework might include:

• Educational Linguistics
• Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts
• ESL Methods
• Digital Media & Instructional Technology

Notables

During your fall and spring semesters, you’ll slowly become integrated into a local secondary classroom. In the fall, you will do half-day student teaching; in the spring, you’ll increase your time to full-day student teaching. In the final summer, you will present a culminating master’s research project.

Overview

A massive public research university, Arizona State University is one of the largest schools by enrollment in the country. Between its many campuses, over 80,000 students are enrolled. The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is based in ASU’s West campus and is lauded as a top education option for veterans.

Features

Education students have a number of choices at Arizona State University. They can earn an MEd by taking two night classes per week while also fulfilling a field experience in their content area. Or they can partner with Teach for America and teach full-time while taking taking one class per week. Here’s a sample look at the curriculum:

• Instruction, Management, and Assessment
• Creating Classroom Climates
• Inclusive Practices for Diverse Learners

Notables

ASU is known for its highly developed online branch, ASU Online. The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College features a number of online masters programs and certificates. For example, you can add to your degree with an online certificate in Gifted Education or ESL.

Overview

Indiana University-Bloomington is the state’s largest university. It brings not only enrollment numbers but also academic reputation, as it is known as a Public Ivy university. IU – Bloomington’s School of Education is one of the largest in the nation.

Features

IU Bloomington offers a generalized MSEd in Secondary Education. This is a 36-credit-hour program that digs deep into curriculum studies, diversity in the classroom, and more. The curriculum allocates 15 credits to a specific content area. Otherwise, courses include:

• Anthropology of Education
• Instruction in the Context of Curriculum
• Psychology in Teaching
• Foundations of Educational Inquiry

Notables

The culminating requirement of this program is either a thesis or a practicum. This will be an ongoing project throughout your coursework. While the program is developing an online option, students will attend classes in either Indianapolis or Bloomington.

Overview

A gem of the south, the University of Southern Mississippi is a mid-sized public university based in Hattiesburg. It was founded as a Teacher’s College in 1910 and has held on to its strong educational beginnings. Its School of Education offers around 15 graduate programs and certificates.

Features

You’ll complete a total of 36 credit hours through the MA in Teaching Secondary Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. Unlike other programs you’ll have over 20 options for specializing in content areas. Here are some course highlights:

• Curriculum in Secondary Education
• Technology in Education
• Adolescent Literacy in the Content Areas
• Assessing Student Outcomes

Notables

An alternative option for some students can be found through the Teach Mississippi Institute. This is a 12-credit-hour certificate program that fast-tracks students to be able to teach in a middle or high school in a specific content area. Students finish their license requirements after securing a job.

Overview

A branch of the larger state system, the University of Wisconsin – Platteville serves around 8,000 students. Its smaller enrollment size results in more intimate classroom settings – the average class size is 25 students. Its tuition rates are known to be some of the lowest in the UW system.

Features

The MS in Education at UW – Platteville is designed for licensed teachers who are interested in furthering their career. You could use this degree to enter administrative, curriculum, or specialist roles at the secondary level. This degree encapsulates 30 credit hours and features engaging courses such as:

• Improving Instructional Effectiveness
• Working with Families of Children with Disabilities
• Reading in the Middle/Secondary School
• Teaching Secondary Methods

Notables

The UW – Platteville School of Education gives students the option to further their degree even more with certification programs. You can choose between Educational Administration, Licensed Professional Counselor, Cross-Categorical Special Education, and more.

Overview

A public university in the heart of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago is known as the largest school in the city. It has an extensive medical school program, but also shines when it comes to education. Last year, the College of Education produced $10 million in research.

Features

Mathematics is the focus of the Master of Science in Teaching Secondary School at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Whether you are already a certified teacher or not, this program has a track that will suit your needs. Students will cover five core math classes including:

• Math Analysis for Teachers
• Introduction to Higher Geometry
• Abstract Algebra
• Advanced Euclidean Geometry

Notables

The process of completing this degree takes a few more steps for students without an existing teaching license. In total, you’ll complete 70 credit hours, which are divided between content area classes, education classes, and instructional hours.

Overview

One of the largest schools in the state, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the five-campus system. The UMass Amherst is a designated land-grant institution. The College of Education offers research-based graduate and undergraduate degrees and certificates.

Features

There are three distinct tracks to get your MEd at UM Amherst: 180 Days in Springfield, Bridges to the Future, and University to Schools. The first is a one-year intensive in Springfield, MA. The second places students in rural Massachusetts schools. The third is a traditional part-time or full-time program. Here are a few course options:

• Integrating Technology with Instruction
• Sheltered English Immersion
• Teaching Methods
• Microteaching

Notables

In the last number of years, UM Amherst has developed online education degree options as well. Students can earn two graduate certificates: Higher Education Leadership and/or Early Grade Reading in Developing Countries. It also offers an online Master’s in Science Education.

Overview

Home to over 10,000 students, the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse is one of 13 schools in the state system. It offers over 22 unique graduate programs, in addition to 100 undergraduate degree options. All students in the School of Education receive an iPad upon admission.

Features

The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse offers a Secondary Teacher Education Preparation program, or STEP. Students will graduate with a license to teach early adolescence to adolescence, which means ages 10 to 21. The core requirements incorporate 35 to 39 credits, with classes like:

• Educational Psychology
• Multicultural Education
• Lifespan Development
• Language, Literacy, and Culture

Notables

In addition to the core professional education requirements, students must also choose at least one content area to focus their studies. There are over 13 areas to choose from, including Geography, Chemistry, History, Computer Science, and many more.

Overview

Located in bustling Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is known as the oldest research university in California. The school has a long legacy of academic excellence and successful alumni. Its education programs rank in top 20 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Features

Offered through the renowned Rossier School of Education, USC delivers a 15-month Master of Arts in Teaching degree. This will qualify you to teach K-12, though you can narrow your scope to secondary education. Your 28-credit curriculum covers both coursework and fieldwork:

• Contexts for Educational Equity, Access, and Agency
• Blended Learning Experiences for Students in Urban Schools
• Integrated Language Development Across the Curriculum
• Identifying and Teaching to Student Differences

Notables

As the sample courses indicate, this curriculum is specific and aimed toward educational equity and change. You can supplement your experience by getting a Bilingual Authorization for Spanish Certificate. Or, if you prefer distance education, the degree is also offered online.

Overview

You’ll find the University of Oregon in the heart of the Willamette Valley. UO is a large public research university that was founded in 1876. While most people know the school for being in Tracktown, USA and home to the Oregon Ducks, the UO College of Education program also stands out for its excellence.

Features

You’ll earn an MEd in Curriculum and Teaching through UOTeach. This degree can be catered toward the mid-high school age group. The curriculum at UOTeach is highly localized and culturally attuned. You’ll take engaging coursework and spend 34 weeks in a field placement. Here are a few courses:

• Language, Power, and Education
• Cultural Context of Education
• Second Language Concepts
• ELL Pedagogy for Secondary Education

Notables

The program at the University of Oregon is equally interested in making you an effective educator and enriching your career. Folded into the curriculum are numerous career services workshops that will help you build your professional portfolio and connect to other educators.

Overview

Clemson University is situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina. It is one of the largest universities in the state, yet Clemson still maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1. Its College of Education is one of its seven academic colleges.

Features

If you’re aiming to teach math or science, Clemson University has a good option for you. The Master of Arts in Teaching includes two specializations: Secondary Math and Science. It takes a little over one year to complete this 42-hour program. You’ll cover content such as:

• Advanced Educational Psychology
• Teaching Methods and Strategies for Secondary Science
• Adolescent Growth and Development
• Technology in Secondary Mathematics

Notables

One thing that makes the program at Clemson stand out is its integration of technology throughout the curriculum. Graduating students will be ahead of the curve in implementing technology into science and math lesson plans. They get a taste of that during their 15-week student teaching experience.

Overview

Columbia University—Teachers College was founded in 1887, making it the oldest graduate school of education in the nation. It is also the largest, with over 5,000 students enrolled in one of its many degree programs. The longevity and reputation of Teachers College makes it a competitive option for graduate students.

Features

Students at the Teachers College will tackle a Secondary Professional Certification program. This MA degree constitutes 32 credit hours and certifies students to teach grades 7-12 in New York. Students are able to complete the program in 12 to 17 months. A sampling of courses includes:

• Designing Curriculum and Instruction
• Differentiated Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
• Immigration and Curriculum
• Critical Perspectives in Secondary Education

Notables

The curriculum at Columbia University Teachers College has been crafted to focus on three core tenets: “teaching as inquiry, teaching as curriculum making, and teaching for social justice.” Embedded within the program, students can specialize in English, Social Studies, Math, Technology, or Science.

Overview

Temple University is a public research university that is a prominent fixture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its College of Education was founded in 1919 and enrolls over 2,000 students between its three departments. Education students can choose from 55 degrees and certifications.

Features

One such degree, the Master of Education in Secondary Education, qualifies you to teach a content area of your choice to grades 7 to 12. Students work toward this degree on a part-time or full-time basis. Beyond the coursework, you’ll also complete 14 weeks of full-time fieldwork. Here are a few courses included:

• Models of Teaching
• Literacy and Differentiation in the Academic Areas
• Inclusive School Practices
• Curriculum and Methods in the Content Areas

Notables

Education students at Temple University are perfectly situated for networking with area schools and agencies in the wider Philadelphia area. On top of fantastic fieldwork placements, students can also take part in educational research. Last year the College of Education reached $13.8 million in research expenditures.

Overview

A historical university of the South, the University of Mississippi went from 80 students at its founding in 1844 to over 23,200 students today. Its main campus is in Oxford, though the school also maintains satellite campuses across the state. Education is one of the most popular degree programs.

Features

Students will embark on one of two pathway options through this MEd in Secondary Education. The first is aimed toward students who want to teach at the high school level. The second is for students who want to teach at the community college level. In total, you’ll take 30 credit hours. Course options include:

• Assessment and Evaluation for Classroom Teachers
• Advanced Curriculum and Theory
• Trends and Issues in Secondary Education
• Educational Research

Notables

While the bulk of this degree will be completed on the University of Mississippi’s main campus, students also have the option to take individual courses online or through some of the regional campuses. Students will also choose one of four content areas and take the associated specialized courses.

Overview

A top school in New England, the University of Connecticut is a public institution with an R-1 research designation. The school is also recognized as a Public Ivy for its academic rigor and selective admissions. The Neag School of Education is home to 1,148 students.

Features

The Neag School of Education at UConn offers an MA in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction. Students are able to center their degree around either elementary education or secondary education. Within secondary education, you’ll be able to specialize further in some of the following areas:

• Bilingual or TESOL
• Math
• Agriculture
• Science

Notables

Graduates at the Neag School of Education are continually working on research in education. The school has three centers that house most of this research: Center for Research in Mathematics Education, New Literacies Research Laboratory, and Reading/Language Arts Center.