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Master's in Secondary Education

Master of Arts in Secondary Education

Put your expertise to work as a licensed teacher.

30 Credits. 24 Months.

This fully accredited program offers you the same high level of academic excellence as our traditional secondary ed program at an accelerated pace, allowing you to complete licensure requirements and a master’s degree in just two years.

Highlights:

  • Accredited: USM’s MA in Secondary Ed is accredited by KSDE and CAEP
  • Achieve Your Goals: The accredited program leads to KS initial teacher licensure
  • Life-Changing: Bring your existing experience to a new career. Help fill in-demand teaching jobs in STEM and other fields
  • Convenient: Attend classes remotely from home or in-person at our Overland Park Campus.
  • Affordable: USM's MA-Secondary Ed. program tuition is $410 a credit hour

Classes start in January, March, and August. Classes are held in-person at USM's Overland Park Campus.

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USM is Unique

USM offers the only face-to-face master’s degree programs in the Kansas City area that leads to secondary Kansas initial teaching licensure.

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Requirements

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for full (regular) admission to the Secondary Education program at the University of Saint Mary.

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • A passing score on the PRAXIS II: Content Pass Score, as determined by KSDE (Check the exam codes and pass scores for more)
  • Completion of all gen ed requirements

To apply, you'll submit:

  • A completed application and $25 application fee
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • An interview with a program advisor or division chair
  • An essay describing the candidate's philosophy of teaching and learning

We recommend that application materials be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of the term in which you wish to enroll.

Our program is designed to meet the needs of busy individuals balancing work and family commitments.

  • Eight-week accelerated paced courses; two courses per term
  • Each course meets one night per week
  • Semester-long placements in local schools

Student-teaching is a 15-week full-day intensive experience during your last semester in the program.

Coursework

Courses with an * indicate teacher licensure requirements, candidates must achieve at least a grade of “C” in these courses and maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program.

This course examines the interrelationships of learning theory, curricula design, and assessment to develop coherent educational programs. Building on social and cultural foundations, candidates analyze learning principles and apply them to curriculum and plan alternative assessment of program outcomes. Three credit hours

This course focuses on the social and technological changes in schools and education systems. Candidate’s will research, discuss, and develop projects related to technology in instruction, assessment, personal/professional productivity, and communication.

This course is designed to assist teacher candidates in meeting the needs of the diverse learners in today’s classroom. Examples of diversity in the classroom include students identified with special education needs, students who are English Language Learners, students from multicultural backgrounds, students who live in poverty, and students with other unique learning needs. Following the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) model, teacher candidates will examine current research-based strategies with emphasis on data collection, professional collaboration and assessment techniques to determine appropriate interventions that best meet student instructional, social and behavior needs in the classroom setting. Three credit hours

Candidates complete twenty-five hours of observation in a school setting. Candidates will observe students and teachers in schools and use theories about developing, learning and motivation to describe their experiences. They will also analyze factors relevant to student diversity and other characteristics, as well as elements of school and classroom climate and their potential impact on students. One credit hour

Examination and application of theories of learning and human development through adolescence with implications for teaching and learning environments addressing individual and diverse needs, testing and measurement instruments, and assessment strategies. Three credit hours

This course provides an intensive study of student behavior, discipline techniques, classroom routines and procedures. Particular focus is given to formulating a discipline plan and strategies for proactive versus reactive discipline techniques. Three credit hours

This course emphasizes the reading, writing speaking, listening, thinking, and viewing processes and their interconnections to facilitate learning in content areas through the use of research-based strategies. Using a variety of texts, both print and non-print, teacher candidates design and implement appropriate and effective instructional strategies within an interdisciplinary unit format to meet the needs of all learners including those with special needs, English Language Learners, and learners with socio-economic challenges. Three credit hours

Emphasis is on the reflective and intentional decision-making criteria for secondary content areas, with application for curriculum design, modes of instruction, technology, classroom management and assessment. Secondary Methods is designed to integrate theory and practice of the teaching of the content areas in the secondary classroom. Strategies that link theory and practice will be introduced for making decisions about curriculum, instruction, classroom management, technology and assessment so that classrooms become constructivist learning communities. Reflective teaching and use of technology in the classroom will be emphasized. A minimum of 30 hours of aiding and supervised practicum in a secondary content classroom is required. Three credit hours

Student teaching in an integrated experience which completes the professional teaching sequence. At this point the prospective teacher marshals his or her resources—intellectual, spiritual, cultural, social, and professional—to meet a challenge. The student teaching semester provides content and methods designed to foster student “integration of faith, learning and behavior”. During the student teaching experience, the student teacher evolves from the role of student into that of teacher. This is a full time semester long experience in a secondary school with an assigned mentor teacher taken during last semester of program. Eight credit hours

"University of Saint Mary Education graduates are students that I look for when I have student teachers in my building as well as when I look to hire new educators. They possess a sense of passion to both receive and impart new knowledge to others."

— Melanie DeMoss, Principal (retired), Olathe School District

Request more Information

Submit an applicAtion 

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Master's in Secondary Ed. Program Highlights

USM Education Class

Affordably Priced

USM's Master's in Elementary Education is $410 a credit hour. Some Program fees apply.

 

USM Gets Results

See the university's education outcomes.

View Outcomes

Conveniently Paced

Attend classes remotely at home, or in-person at our Overland Park Campus. 30 credits.  24 months. See a sample plan of study:

Contact your program adviser for more detailed and specific information

Possible sequence for students starting in Summer

Prerequisites

  • Human Development Course
  • Passing Score on the Praxis II content test 

Summer

Summer Term 1
  • ED 748 Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
  • ED 745 Practicum I (1) 
Summer Term 2
  • ED 738 Instructional Technology (2)
  • ED 720 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3)

Fall

Fall Term 1
  • ED 720 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3)

  • ED 789 Secondary Methods—Practicum (placement in Jr/Sr High setting) (3) 

Fall Term 2
  • ED 776 Reading Across the Content Areas (3) 

Spring 

All Term:
  • ED 766 Teaching as a Professional Collaborator (1)
  • ED 796 Student Teaching: Secondary (8) 
Spring Term 1:

  • ED 744 Teaching Diverse Learners (3)

Spring Term 2
  • ED 754 Classroom Management (3) 

Possible sequence for students starting in Spring

Prerequisites

  • Human Development Course 
  • Passing Score on the Praxis II content test 

Spring

All Term:
  • ED 789 Secondary Methods - Practicum (placement in Jr/Sr High setting) (2)
Spring Term 1
  • ED 744 Teaching Diverse Learners (3) 
Spring Term 2
  • ED 754 Classroom Management (3)
  • ED 745 Practicum I (1) 

Summer

Summer Term 1
  • ED 742 Foundations of Education (3)
Summer Term 2
  • ED 738 Instructional Technology (2)

Fall 

All Term:
  • ED 766 Teaching as a Professional Collaborator (1)
  • ED 796 Student Teaching: Secondary (8)
Fall Term 1:
  • ED 720 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3)
Fall Term 2
  • ED 776 Reading Across the Content Areas (3)

Possible sequence for students starting in Fall 

Prerequisites

  • Human Development Course 
  • Passing Score on the Praxis II content test 

Fall

All Term:
  • ED 789 Secondary Methods - Practicum (placement in jr/sr high setting) (3)
Fall Term 2
  • ED 720 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3) 
  • ED 745 Practicum I (1) 

Spring

All Term:
  • ED 766 Teaching as a Professional Collaborator (1)
  • ED 796 Student Teaching: Secondary (8)
Spring Term 1
  • ED 744 Teaching Diverse Learners (3)
Spring Term 2
  • ED 754 Classroom Management (3)

Summer

Summer Term 1:
  • ED 748 Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
Summer Term 2
  • ED 738 Instructional Technology (2)

Expert Faculty

Meet the faculty who will help you achieve your goals. 

Cheryl Reding, Ph.D.Cheryl Reding

Associate Professor, Unit Head of Education, Division Chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Cheryl.Reding@stmary.edu
913-758-6159
Mead 403A

Highlights:

B.S. Saint Mary College
M.A. Benedictine College
Ph.D. University of Kansas

Gwen Landever, Ed.D.Gwen Landever

Director of Graduate Education Programs
gwen.landever@stmary.edu
913-319-3007
Overland Park Campus

Highlights:

B.S.E. University of Kansas
M.S.E University of Kansas
Ed.D. Baker University

Tamara George, Ed.D.Tamara George

Assistant Professor of Education
Tamara.George@stmary.edu
913-758-4300
Mead 403G

Highlights:

District and Building Level Administrative Endorsement, Emporia State University
M.S., Emporia State University
B.A., Doane College

Darrel Stufflebeam, EdDDarrel Stufflebeam

Assistant Professor of Education
darrel.stufflebeam@stmary.edu
913-758-4336
Mead 403H

Highlights:

DB.S. Northern Iowa University
M.S. Ft. Hayes State University
Ed.D. University of Kansas

Melanie DeMoss, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty
melanie.demoss@stmary.edu
Overland Park Campus

Highlights:

Ed.D., St. Louis University
M.S., Emporia State University
B.A., Oral Roberts University

 

CAEP Logo
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits the University of Saint Mary education programs. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.

 

Have Questions? Contact Us.

USM Overland Park
11221 Roe Ave
Leawood, KS 66211
913-345-8288

Joe Perez
Admissions Counselor
joe.perez@stmary.edu
913-319-3003

USM Overland Park Campus Logo

Have Questions? Contact Us.

USM Overland Park
11221 Roe Ave
Leawood, KS 66211
913-345-8288

Joe Perez
Admissions Counselor
joe.perez@stmary.edu
913-319-3003

USM Overland Park Campus Logo