Program Objectives

 Undergraduate Program

The Department of Secondary Education works with 20 University departments to provide a program leading to recommendation for secondary teacher licensure. The program includes 35 credits of courses in professional education and clinical experiences organized into three levels. Typically, students begin taking Level 1 courses and clinical experiences during the second semester of their junior year, Level 2 courses and clinical experiences the first semester of their senior year, and finish with Level 3: student teaching and seminars. Conceptually, the program centers on twelve principles of teaching: knowledge construction, learner development, multiculturalism, exceptionality, instructional strategies, management/motivation, communication, technology, instructional planning, assessment, cooperation/collaboration, and professionalism.

The program goals are to provide students with the professional knowledge and teaching skills to complement the content knowledge acquired in general education and in teaching majors and minors. Successful completion of the program enables students to be recommended for secondary teacher licensure (grades 6-12) in Utah.

Objectives

• Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge related to the twelve principles in the courses that constitute the Professional Education Framework (course work from content major departments as well as the Department of Secondary Education).
• Students will participate in on-campus teaching simulations as well as 60 hours of clinical experience in middle school and high school settings preceding student teaching.
• Students will begin preparing a comprehensive Professional Portfolio based on their course work and clinical experiences at Level 1 and 2, and then pass a Portfolio Interview.
• Students will successfully meet the requirements for secondary student teaching and for the professional seminar that accompanies this experience.

 Graduate Programs

The Department of Secondary Education offers an array of master’s degrees to meet the needs of middle school and high school teachers. These programs include a Master’s of Education degree (M.Ed.), Master’s of Art degree (M.A.), and a Master’s of Science degree (M.S.).

M.Ed.

The goal of the M.Ed. in Secondary Education is to provide teachers with experience that enhances their classroom effectiveness. The program for the M.Ed. degree offers two choices: Plan B or Plan C. The Plan B program of study (36 credits) culminates in (1) the preparation of a Creative Project applied to practical issues of teaching, or (2) the preparation of a Professional Portfolio centered on the Twelve Principles of Teaching (stated above). At the conclusion of the Plan B option, an oral examination under the supervision of the student’s chairperson and committee is required. The Plan C program of study (40 Credits) requires additional course work in an area of concentration. At the conclusion of the Plan C program of study, a culminating experience/interview is developed by the student’s chairperson.

Objectives

• Students will broaden their understanding of the psychological, social, and research foundations of education.
• Students will expand and refine both their teaching skills and their leadership skills.
• Students will deepen their content area knowledge in their teaching fields.
• Students will articulate strategies for school reform and teacher empowerment related to their own contexts.
• Students will apply new knowledge of curriculum and instruction to practical problems in middle school and high school settings.

M.S. and M.A.

The goal of the M.S. and M.A. degrees in Secondary Education (30 credits) is to provide experienced teachers with additional research tools and perspectives for not only addressing education problems, but also communicating new insights to others. These degrees offer students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor in a well-defined research study. A thesis or review of literature is required. The M.A. degree in Secondary Education requires proficiency in a foreign language.

Objectives

• Students will acquire knowledge of research tools and methods with the aim of applying these techniques in educational research.
• Students will develop the writing and presentation skills to communicate research findings to a variety of professional audiences.
• Students will broaden their understanding of the psychological, social, and research foundations of education.
• Students will expand and refine both their teaching skills and their leadership skills.
• Students will deepen their content area knowledge in their teaching field.
• Students will apply new knowledge of curriculum and instruction to practical problems in middle school and high school settings.

The Department of Secondary Education also participates in the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) interdepartmental doctoral program in curriculum and instruction. For information and questions regarding the doctoral program, visit www.coe.usu.edu/ or contact COEHS at (435) 797-1437.