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Future students
Visit the College of Education's future students page to get helpful links for both undergraduate and graduate students.Programs of study
For a complete listing of all programs of study, please visit the Graduate College Programs of Study page.Secondary Education - Continuing Professional, Master of Education
This program allows students to pursue additional coursework in an academic area while strengthening their understanding of educational concepts. Students may choose to conclude this program with the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis.
This plan is not intended to provide grades 7-12 teacher certification nor does it provide an institutional recommendation for teacher certification.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
- All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- All work toward the master degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
Read the full policy here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to be eligible to graduate from this program. In addition to course grades, content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):
| Minimum Units for Completion | 30 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The MEd in Secondary Education degree program provides students with the necessary augmenting knowledge and skills related to teaching in secondary classrooms. This degree offers students, typically practicing secondary teachers, the opportunity to enhance their content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge and skills. Students have the opportunity to pursue advanced courses in a wide variety of areas, including the history and philosophy of education, issues and trends in curriculum and instruction, and educational research and statistics. Additionally, students can pursue coursework in a content area of interest or in endorsement courses in reading, special education, and technology. Students complete the program with either an action a research project as part of a graduate seminar or a thesis project focused on a selected topic.
Students pursuing this degree work closely with their advisors to select topics and courses that will assist them in achieving their personal goals as secondary teaching professionals. From a variety of courses, students are encouraged to choose foci which assist them in expanding their teaching repertoire and knowledge base in relation to their professional needs and interests.
Students who complete this program will have a deeper and broader understanding of teaching and learning, preparing them to excel in secondary teaching contexts, as well as other venues where teaching knowledge and skills are valued. This does not lead to Arizona teacher certification.
Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission Information
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Additional Admission Requirements
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Teaching certificate (if the applicant has one)
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:
- Selected Coursework: 18 units
- Content Area Coursework: 9 units
- Capstone or Thesis: 3 units
Take the following 30 units:- Select two from the following (6 units):
- Select three from the following (9 units):
- Select one from the following (3 units):
- Select courses in a content area commonly taught in the public schools or in endorsement courses in reading, special education, and technology (9 units).
- Additional coursework, select from the following: (3 units)
Please note that if you choose the thesis option you may end up taking more than the 3 units of thesis credit you can count toward your degree because you must register for ECI 699 each semester while you are working on your thesis.
Also note that preparing a thesis generally requires one semester of residency, in Fall, Spring, or Summer.
At least fifty percent of your courses must be at the 600-level or above.
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.