Online Master's in Secondary Education Programs (Middle School and High School)
Secondary education encompasses the second half of pre-college education, from grade six or seven through the end of high school. In some school districts, the initial part of these years is classified as middle school (grades six through eight) or junior high school (grades seven and eight or seven through nine), both of which serve as a bridge between elementary school and high school. High school then begins at grade nine or ten. Regardless of the format, secondary education is tasked with helping students transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high school, and then supporting them through high school graduation.
During these crucial years of schooling, students typically begin taking dedicated classes in the major subject areas of language arts/literature, mathematics, science, and social studies. Additional instruction in art, music, physical education, health, foreign language, cultural awareness, and other subjects is commonly introduced during the first years of secondary school, as students are encouraged to cultivate a well-rounded academic foundation coupled with social and emotional maturity in preparation for careers, college, and adulthood. Master’s programs in secondary education are designed to provide teachers, administrators, and other education professions with the leadership skills, subject matter expertise, and pedagogical tools needed to teach at the secondary school level. They also prepare educators to design and administer secondary school programs, and work in various ways to improve outcomes and implement evidence-based practices in middle school, junior high, and high school settings.
What is a Master’s in Secondary Education Degree?
A master’s program in secondary education is a graduate degree program that culminates in the conferral of a master’s degree and provides focused training in secondary school teaching, administration, and leadership. Educators in these programs receive core training in pedagogy, theories of education, leadership, and curriculum design. In addition, many programs have one or more subject area concentrations, such as mathematics, science, language arts, music, art, English as a second language (ESL), social studies, or foreign language education. Some programs also give students the option of specializing in teaching proficiencies for specific grade levels.
Preparing to teach secondary school students in public school systems requires in-person practical experiences working in secondary school classrooms under the supervision of a licensed teacher. These student-teaching experiences help prepare graduates from Master’s in Secondary Education programs to qualify for state licensure or certification, the details of which vary by state. However, most state require secondary school teachers to complete a specified number of supervised practicum hours in order to qualify for licensure or certification.
It is important to note that the Master’s in Secondary Education degree is one of a number of graduate degrees that can prepare educators to work in secondary schools. For students who are seeking initial teaching licensure, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs are a common option, as some Master’s in Secondary Education programs offer specialized training and may require applicants to already hold a teaching license. In addition, while Master’s in Secondary Education programs commonly provide training in leadership and administrative proficiencies for secondary school teachers, they are distinct from Master of Education (MEd) programs with a Principalship or Educational Leadership specialization.
Online Master’s in Secondary Education Programs
Many colleges and universities now offer online Master’s in Secondary Education programs for students who want to cultivate advanced teaching, administration, and school leadership skills and earn a graduate degree without commuting to a school’s campus for classes. Online programs use web-based learning management systems (LMSs) to delivery all or most of their didactic instruction, including lectures, coursework, exams, and other learning materials. Students in these programs receive the same level of training as students who enroll in traditional campus-based programs but are able to do so in a format that offers greater scheduling flexibility, as students can attend classes from any location as long as they have access to a secure internet connection.
Most online master’s programs in education do not require any campus visits. However, some programs ask students to attend one or two campus-based sessions per year. In addition, students may be required to complete site-based practicums or internships in secondary schools or other education settings. These practical experiences generally take place within commuting range of a student’s home or workplace and are meant to supplement the didactic training delivered via online instruction. Supervised student-teaching hours and other practical experiences can also help prepare students for state licensure, certification, or specialist endorsement in secondary education.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s Programs in Secondary Education
OnlineEducation.com researches master’s in education programs and identifies programs that offer a specialization in Secondary Education, Middle School Education, and/or High School Education. Online Master’s in Secondary Education programs may be offered through a university’s school of education, or through an academic division devoted to professional studies. These programs are commonly designated as Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary Education, although there are programs with other designations that provide master’s degree training in the field. These designations include Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Master of Science in Education (MSEd) programs with a specialization in Secondary Education. Finally, there are also master’s programs in curriculum and instruction that offer specializations in secondary education.
In addition to being offered by a regionally accredited, non-profit institution, all of the programs listed on the site are offered entirely or primarily online, with limited or no on-campus requirements. In order for a program to be classified as online, it must require two or fewer campus visits per year. Programs that require students to attend three or more campus-based session in a calendar year are classified as hybrid programs and are not include on the site at this time. It is important to note that campus sessions may be multiple days in length, as they are often scheduled during a long weekend or over the span of a week. See below for more information on what these on-campus sessions typically entail and why some online programs incorporate face-to-face visits into their curriculum.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Secondary Education Programs
Students in master’s programs in secondary education cultivate knowledge and skills focused on teaching middle and high school students, including general instructional strategies, curriculum development methods, program assessment tools, and subject-specific pedagogy. Other topics covered may include educational research and analysis, classroom technologies, and contemporary issues in education. Many programs also offer courses in diversity and inclusion strategies, professional development, leadership skills, and educational psychology.
In addition to core subject areas, students in these programs generally specialize in a particular discipline or area of teaching, such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, art, or music. Many programs also offer additional concentrations or electives in more specialized fields of secondary education, including English as a second language, special education, gifted education, and online instruction. Finally, programs that are designed to prepare graduates to apply for state licensure or certification generally require students to engage in supervised practical experiences in a setting that aligns with the student’s concentration or area of focus. Depending on the program, students who are already licensed educators may or may not be required to complete an internship or practicum in a secondary school setting.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Secondary Education Programs
The table below provides a representative overview of coursework that is typical of online master’s programs in secondary education. Course names and descriptions are aggregated from programs offered by accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Research and Evaluation in Education | Examines qualitative, quantitative, naturalistic, and controlled educational research methods, critical interpretation of published studies, and design methodology for future research. |
| Geometric Thinking and Measurement | Middle school math pedagogy, with a focus on strategies to connect geometric thinking and measurement to other disciplines; and this course explores how middle school students process the principles of geometry and measurement, and covers mathematical processes and skills concerning shape, measurement, spatial relationships, and estimation. |
| Instructional Thought and Action Environment and Management | Explores strategies and interventions for effective classroom behavior management for secondary school students with or without disabilities; and participants research, create and apply various practices for maintaining a positive classroom environment and review age-appropriate techniques for secondary students. |
| Learning Theory | An examination of classroom strategies that engage students in active inquiry and knowledge-seeking, promote peer collaboration, and improve knowledge acquisition skills. |
| Science Teaching Methods for Secondary School | Explores inquiry-based processes, lesson planning and design, teaching methods, and content knowledge to prepare educators to teach science in middle and high school. |
| Trauma-Informed Teaching | Methods and strategies for developing trauma-informed educator competencies, identifying signs of adolescent trauma in the classroom, and supporting the education of trauma-effected adolescents. |
| Foundations of the Teaching Profession | Covers historical, philosophical, social, ethical, theological, scientific, and technological contributions that have influenced the American system of education; and explores contemporary issues in secondary education, including teaching philosophies, problems facing teachers in rural, urban and suburban cultures, and state and federal education laws. |
| Curriculum Design | Curriculum planning processes and the design of instructional units and lessons that are aligned with state standards, including the Standards Aligned System (SAS) and its approach to curricular standards, frameworks, and instructional resources. |
| Educational Psychology: Understanding Theory of Teaching and Learning | Examines cognitive and behavior theories related to student learning and motivation and how these theories inform instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students, lesson planning, and edTPA preparation (a performance-based, subject-specific assessment and support system used to emphasize, measure, and support the knowledge and skills teachers need). |
| Teaching Diverse Students, Families, and Classrooms | Provides the knowledge, tools, and attitudes to effectively navigate teaching in a diverse classroom, with attention to physical, cultural, social, and psychological differences in individuals, and how student learning is impacted by gender, language, culture, family, talents, disabilities, experiences, and community values. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Secondary Education Programs
The baseline requirement for admission to a master’s degree program in education is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. However, programs commonly have additional metrics by which candidates are assessed. For example, most programs have a minimum required or preferred cumulative undergraduate GPA, typically around 2.75 or 3.0 on a four-point scale, and some require prior professional experience in education or teaching. Furthermore, there are master’s programs in secondary education that require applicants to hold a valid teaching license or certification.
In addition to submitting an application, programs may ask applicants to furnish official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs an applicant has attended, two or three recommendation letters, written answers to one or more essay questions, a personal goals statement, a current resume or CV, and/or GRE or MAT standardized test scores. As admissions requirements vary by school and can vary by program, it is important to research requirements carefully prior to submitting an application.
Online Master’s in Secondary Education Format Options
While online programs by definition deliver all or most of their coursework via distance learning technologies, there are a number of structural elements that vary by program and can impact a student’s online learning experience. For example, programs may rely exclusively on asynchronous instruction, a mode of online instruction that does not include live, scheduled online class meeting times, or they may utilize synchronous instruction, which includes real-time lectures and class meetings. Full-time, part-time and flexible enrollment options are another variable potential applicants may way to consider, as they determine how long it takes for students to complete a program. Finally, some online programs incorporate and/or require a limited number of campus visits, which may or may not be ideal for some students. Each of these structural elements are explored in greater detail in the sections below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Synchronous instruction is similar to campus-based class meetings in that it requires students to be logged on to a program’s LMS for lectures and class meetings that take place in real-time according to a set schedule. Asynchronous instruction has no real-time component and encompasses a broad range of learning activities that students complete at their convenience, provided they meet course deadlines. This can include everything from pre-recorded lectures and interactive class modules to homework assignments and projects, exams, readings, and research.
While both modes of online instruction are effective, they generally align with different learning styles. Asynchronous instruction is better suited for students who want maximum flexibility and those who may have scheduling issues that would prevent them from attending virtual class sessions. Synchronous instruction, in contrast, generally appeals to students who would prefer an online program that more closely resembles the experience of attending traditional, campus-based classes. It is important to note that online programs require a greater level of self-motivation and self-discipline compared to on-campus programs, and that asynchronous instruction in particular, is best suited for students who are highly motivated and who already have good time management skills.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Most but not all online master’s programs are designed to accommodate students who have already embarked on their professional careers and may intend to continue working while earning their degree. To do so, these programs often offer part-time or flexible enrollment options, allowing students to complete their master’s degree without having to devote 40 or more hours per week to classes and schoolwork. The tradeoff is that part-time enrollment extends the time it takes to complete a graduate program compared to students who enroll full-time.
Students who enroll on a full-time basis in an online master’s in education program can generally earn their degree in 12 to 24 months, depending on the structure of the program. Programs that offer courses year-round can typically be completed more quickly than programs that only offer courses during two 15-week academic semesters per year (e.g., fall and spring semesters). Part-time students often enroll in a reduced course load each term, which can extend the time it takes to earn a degree by six to 12 months or more, depending on the number of courses a students take per term. Most part-time students take two to three years to earn a master’s degree in education.
Campus Visits: While most online Master’s in Secondary Education programs can be completed without traveling to a school’s campus, some programs require a limited number of site visits. These campus-based sessions are typically used for orientations, seminars, and other activities that benefit from meeting with students in person. Campus visits, often referred to as immersion sessions, intensives, or residencies, can enrich the online learning experience. However, they require travel and students may incur expenses in addition to a program’s standard tuition and fees while attending these sessions.
Potential applicants should review program requirements carefully to determine whether or not campus visits are required. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are not listed on OnlineEducation.com. Programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year, including fully online programs that do not require any on-campus visits, are classified as online programs on the site. It is important to note that site-based internships, practicums, and/or student teaching experiences that students must complete as part of their curriculum are not considered on-campus visits because they are typically completed within commuting distance from a student’s place of employment or residence.