Secondary Education Programs
Students currently enrolled in the Secondary Education UG Programs (4 year program) should contact Dr. Cynthia Sanders, Coordinator for Secondary Teacher Education, for advising and program questions.
Prospective students who will be enrolling in Fall 2025 have the option to pursue a 4+1 program as a pathway to licensure to teach in high schools (grades 7-12).
Secondary Education MA
4+1 Degree Program
Initial Teacher Licensure Program for Grades 7-12
Open to Catholic University Undergraduates studying
English (BA), History (BA), or Mathematics (BA or BS)
The Department of Education at Catholic University supports a vibrant community of faculty, program candidates, staff, and alumni. This community embraces the university’s commitment to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason by discovering and imparting truth through excellence in teaching and research in service to the Church, the nation, and the world. We have a rich history in preparing educators to serve in Catholic, private, charter, and public schools. At a time when the teaching profession is facing a myriad of challenges, our program seeks to offer a foundation of strength, vision, and teacher formation that will sustain our candidates throughout their careers.
The Secondary Education MA 4+1 program option is designed for candidates interested in pursuing initial teacher licensure to serve as a classroom teacher in American schools after completing a baccalaureate degree. Students enrolled in the English (BA), History (BA), and Mathematics (BA or BS) are eligible to pursue this degree option. Students earn both a Bachelor’s degree in their content area and an MA in Secondary Education in just five years. Holding both a BA or BS in their chosen subject area (English, History, or Math) in addition to a Secondary Education degree at the Master’s level positions our graduates to succeed an excel in their career as an educator.
The English, History, and Mathematics departments in collaboration with the Education Department have developed UG programs of study that foster a deep understanding of the discipline.The strong knowledge of content built in the discipline provides an excellent foundation on which to build the theoretical and pedagogical knowledge needed to succeed as an educator. Students are assigned advisors in their respective majors who are familiar with and understand the desire to become a classroom teacher.
As students complete their UG degree, they are eligible to take up to four Secondary Education courses at the Graduate level to apply to the Secondary Education MA degree (see descriptions below). The program coursework, practicum field experiences, and student teaching internship are designed to prepare candidates to serve in a variety of educational contexts. Upon successful program completion, candidates are also eligible to apply for a Standard Teaching Credential (license) from the Office of the State Superintendent of DC (OSSE).
Overview of Secondary Education MA Coursework
These four courses are taken during the UG program of study in the content area:
EDUC 551 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of American Education
This course provides a solid foundation of the history, philosophy, and structure of the American Education system. Candidates explore the aims, goals, and functions of schooling emphasizing the philosophical, historical, and socio-political context of U.S. education. The course also introduces candidates to current educational issues that influence the teaching profession.
EDUC 582 Introduction to Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Education
EDUC 689C Concurrent practicum (20 hours) OR Employment*
This course is an introduction to Curriculum and Instruction theory and design grounded in the Wiggins and McTighe's Understanding by Design framework.The course is taken concurrently with a Practicum Field Experience of 20 hours allowing candidates to apply the course concepts to observations of instructional strategies in a classroom context.
EDUC 586 Instructional Strategies and Assessment for Secondary Education
EDUC 689C Concurrent practicum (20 hours) OR Employment*
The course focuses on current theory and research related to effective assessment and instructional planning for secondary classroom settings to facilitate student comprehension and engagement. The course is taken concurrently with a Practicum Field Experience of 20 hours allowing candidates to apply the course concepts to observations of instructional strategies in a classroom context.
EDUC 581 Educating Exceptional Learners
This interactive course provides an overview of the origins of special education, the laws governing special education, and current best practices in the education of diverse learners. Diverse learners include students with disabilities, gifted and talented as well as at-risk students, and students from diverse ethnic, linguistic, and racial backgrounds.
Candidates complete the following courses in the 5th year to earn the MA in Secondary Education:
Fall Semester:
Candidates take the following three courses:
EDUC 765 Principles of Curriculum Theory
This seminar provides students with a foundational understanding of the historical and contemporary issues, theories, and practices that make up the curriculum field. The course also explores Catholic educational theory, pedagogy, and curriculum based in Thomist philosophy of the intersection of faith and reason.
EDUC 580 (English)/ 585 (Social Studies)/ 579 (Math) Content Area Methods
EDUC 689C Concurrent Practicum (30 hours) OR Employment*
Candidates further develop their philosophy of content area education, planning for instruction, and ability to critique curriculum materials in this course with a focus on their subject area. The course is taken concurrently with a Practicum Field Experience of 30 hours allowing candidates to apply the course concepts to observations of instructional strategies in a classroom context.
EDUC 525 Psychology of Learning for Student Engagement
This course focuses on behavioral and cognitive science theories of learning and how these theories apply to diverse populations. Candidates consider how the theoretical constructs may help to inform solutions to problems of curriculum and instruction in a variety of school settings.
Candidates choose 1 of the following courses:
EDUC 699 Introduction to Research in Secondary Education
This course introduces principles of educational research and evaluation, including research methodology, methods of analyzing and evaluating research, a review of current practices, and research design. Emphasis is placed on the role teachers must play in the wider dialog of education research and classroom instruction.
EDUC 513 Classroom Management
This course explores relevant theories and practices to facilitate positive instructional experiences for diverse student populations in a variety of contexts. The course emphasizes five principles: understanding students' psychological and learning needs; establishing positive interpersonal relations; using organizational procedures that maximize on-task behavior; using instructional methods that encourage optimal learning; and using counseling and behavioral methods to examine and modify behavior.
Spring Semester:
EDUC 500 Student Teaching Internship (9 credit hours)
OR EDUC 600 (3 credit hours if current classroom teacher in subject area)
The Student Teaching Internship experience provides the opportunity for Graduate Program candidates to apply the professional knowledge of theory and pedagogy acquired in previous coursework and Field Practicum experiences to gain the contextual knowledge required to enter the teaching profession and thrive. Candidates spend the 15 week semester immersed in a school classroom and assume instruction under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and a University Supervisor.
EDUC 501 Student Teaching Seminar (3 credit hours- required for all candidates)
This Student Teaching Seminar course for Graduate Program Candidates is taken concurrently with the Student Teaching Internship experience (EDUC 500). Candidates apply their understanding of theory, philosophy, and practice to complete their Action Research Projects during this seminar course.
Please contact Dr. Cynthia Sanders, Coordinator for Secondary Education Programs for additional information sanderscy@cua.edu.
Minor
Candidates can obtain the form to declare a minor from the A&S Undergraduate Dean's office website link https://arts-sciences.catholic.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/advising/forms.html.
Once the form is completed, candidates must meet with their minor and major advisor to plan their program of studies for a timely graduation.
Arts & Sciences Majors - are eligible to minor in Secondary Education. In order to get a minor in Secondary Education, students need to formally declare the minor with the UG A&S Program Office and take the following courses and seminars:
| Students must take all four of the following courses. | |
| EDUC 251 | Foundations of Education |
| EDUC 271 | Psychology of Education |
|
EDUC 382 |
Secondary Education Introduction to Assessment and Instruction Planning Note: There is a classroom practicum (observation) component associated with this course. Students will work with their minor advisor and course instructor to meet this requirement. Alternate course assignments are available if the minor candidate chooses not to participate in a field placement. |
| EDUC 386 |
Curriculum and Methods in Adolescent Education Note: There is a classroom practicum (observation) component associated with this course. Students will work with their minor advisor and course instructor to meet this requirement. Alternate course assignments are available if the minor candidate chooses not to participate in a field placement. |
| Student must take at least ONE of the following courses: | |
| EDUC 381 | Educating Diverse Learners |
| EDUC 261 | Human Growth and Development |
|
Education Elective Courses: Students must take ONE elective course. Selections vary by semester and year. The following are some popular choices by Sec Ed Minors. NOTE: Students may also take EDUC 381 or 261 as an elective. |
|
| EDUC 422 | Race, Class, Disability and Gender in Education Contexts |
| EDUC 313 | Classroom Management |
| EDUC (elective) | See semester registration listings for more choices. |
Policies on Arts and Sciences minors can be found here.