Division of Teaching and Learning -
Secondary Education (SEC ED)

UMSL Home

Division of Teaching and Learning Home Page

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Science in Education: Secondary Education
Two secondary Education programs prepare students to teach in grades 9 through 12: Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education through the College of Education (B.S.Ed.) OR Bachelor of Arts in a department of the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.) with certification in Secondary Education

General Education Requirements
B.S.Ed. degree candidates must complete the following General Education courses required by the College of Education and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Humanities
Three courses required from the following fields: music (excluding applied music), art, foreign language, Western and non‑Western cultures, philosophy, literature, classical studies, and theater and drama.

Communication Skills
At least two courses in English composition and one in oral communications.

Social Studies
HIST 1001, American Civ to 1865 OR HIST 1002 American Civ 1865 to Present
POL SCI 1100, Intro to American Politics
PSYCH 1003, General Psychology (required).

Natural Science
One course in a physical or earth science; one course in a biological science. At least one of these courses must have a laboratory component.

Mathematics
MATH 1020, Contemporary Math OR
MATH 1030, College Algebra

Note All of the courses above must be a minimum of 2 semester hours.

Program Requirements
B.S.Ed. and B.A. certification candidates must complete the following courses:

Level I: Exploring Education as a Profession
TCH ED 2209, Foundations of Teaching in American Schools
ED PSY 2212, Introduction to Learners and Learning

Level II: Analyzing the Nature and Process of Education
TCH ED 3310, Introduction to Instructional Methods
ED PSY 3312, Psychology of Teaching and Learning
TCH ED 3313, Psychology of the Exceptional Child
TCH ED 4391, Teaching Reading in Secondary School Content Areas

Level III: Synthesizing Theory and Practice in Education
SEC ED 4xxx, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching (specific subject area)
SEC ED 4989, Secondary Education Professional Internship
SEC ED 4990, Secondary School Student Teaching
SEC ED 4xxx, Student Teaching Intern Seminar (Taken concurrently with student teaching)

Note: SEC ED 4989 Secondary Education Professional Internship and SEC ED 4xxx, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching (specific subject area) must be taken in the same semester and in the semester immediately preceding SEC ED 4990, Secondary School Student Teaching

Attention Education majors: Professional Education courses must be completed with a grade point average of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C or better are required in all courses in the teaching field.

Emphasis Areas: B.S.Ed. candidates must complete 30 to 50 hours of specific subject requirements in one of the following fields: English, foreign language (French, German, or Spanish), mathematics, music, unified science (biology, chemistry, or physics endorsement), or social studies. For specific subject requirements see the appropriate department listing.

Music Education students take the following courses during the same semester: SEC ED 4993, Student Teaching in Music Education K‑6, and SEC ED 4994, Student Teaching in Music Education 7‑12. Art Education Students take the following courses during the same semester:

SEC ED 4996, Student Teaching in Elementary Art and SEC ED 4997, Student Teaching in Secondary Art. These two courses must be taken in the same semester.

Social Studies certification students must complete a major or an equivalent in hours in one of the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, or sociology. They must meet these minimum social science requirements:

Social science methods courses are HIST/SEC ED 4011
For emphasis area advising, see the History Department.

B.S. Degree in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Science-Physics
All candidates must enroll in a program that includes levels I, II, and III course work in the College of Education. In addition, students must complete the following Science Core Courses and the courses listed under Physics Endorsement:

Science core courses:

PHIL 3380, Philosophy of Science

Biology
CHEM 1111, Introductory Chemistry I
CHEM 1112, Introductory Chemistry II
BIOL 1811, Introductory Biology I
BIOL 1821, Introductory Biology II

GEOL 1001, General Geology

ATM SC 1001, Elementary Meteorology

BIOL 1202, Environmental Biology or another environmental science

Physics
PHYSICS 1011, Basic Physics I
PHYSICS 1012, Basic Physics II

Physics Endorsement

Physics
PHYSICS 3200, Mathematical Methods of Theoretical Physics
PHYSICS 3221, Mechanics
PHYSICS 3223, Electricity and Magnetism
PHYSICS 3231, Introduction to Modern Physics
PHYSICS 4310, Modern Electronics
PHYSICS 4311, Advanced Physics Laboratory I
PHYSICS 4802/SEC ED 3240, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Physical Science
PHYSICS 4837, Chemistry/Physics Teaching Intern Seminar

Graduate Studies

The M.Ed. program in Secondary Education has general program, curriculum and instruction, or reading options. All consist of an initial required core of courses; an opportunity to develop an area of specialization; an opportunity for study in the teaching field; and a capstone or exit course. Areas of specialization will be listed on the transcript and include the following: General, Curriculum and Instruction, Middle Level Education, Reading, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Additionally, students may seek initial teacher certification while also studying for the M.Ed. These specializations are described in this section.

Master of Education: Secondary Education
The M.Ed. general program is appropriate for secondary teachers and department chairpersons. Programs must be planned with the academic adviser and meet the approval of the advisor, College, and Graduate School.

1) Required Core (9 hours)
Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study.
TCH ED 6010, Examining History, Community, and Social Justice in Education (3)
TCH ED 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership (3)
TCH ED/ED PSY 6030, Instruction, Learning & Assessment (3)

2) Required Research Course (3)
TCH ED 6909, Teacher Action Research I (3)
Take semester prior to Teacher Action Research (TCH ED 6910). For non-teacher M.Ed. candidates, ED REM 6040 or TCH ED 6909 can be taken.

3) Teaching Field Concentration (12-18 hours)
A curriculum course (required): SEC ED 6415, The Secondary School Curriculum. Students should select at least nine hours in their teaching field (mathematics; chemistry; biology; physics; social studies; English; physical education; speech and theatre; educational technology or other) or in secondary education, as identified in consultation with the faculty advisor.

4) Specialization Areas (Optional: 6 hours)
Students may follow one of the core competency courses with two additional courses to develop an area of specialization, such as:

Educational Technology Option: TCH ED/ED PSY 6030 followed by ED TECH 5340, Selection and Utilization of Educational Multimedia and ED TECH 6452, Educational Multimedia Design

Educational Psychology Option, TCH ED/ED PSY 6030 followed by either ED PSY 6210, Life-Span: Individual and Family Development or ED PSY/ED TECH 6448, Technology Supported Inquiry Learning (3 hours each) and one of the following:

ED PSY 6210, Life-Span: Individual & Family Development
ED PSY 6215, Psychology of Early Childhood Development
ED PSY 6220, Psychology of the Elementary School Child or
ED PSY 6225, The Psychology of Adolescence (3 hours each)

Teaching of Writing Option, TCH ED/ED PSY 6030 followed by TCH ED 5850, Topics in the Teaching of Writing and TCH ED 6890, Seminar in Professional Writing for Teachers; or TCH ED 6880, Gateway Writing Project (6).

Other specialization areas are available and information is available in the Graduate Education and Teaching & Learning Division offices.

5) Capstone Course (3 hours)
Students must enroll in the capstone course during their last semester and after completing Teacher Action Research I TCH ED 6909.
TCH ED 6910, Teacher Action Research Capstone (3)
This course is not offered in summer sessions.

Master of Education: Secondary Education with Emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction

The M.Ed. with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction is designed for graduate students who wish to further their competencies as teacher or curriculum specialist or instructional leaders.

1) Required Core requirements (9 hours)
Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study.
TCH ED 6010, Examining History, Community, and Social Justice in Education (3)
TCH ED 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership (3)
TCH ED/ED PSY 6030, Instruction, learning & Assessment (3)

2) Required Research Course (3)
TCH ED 6909, Teacher Action Research I (3)
Take semester prior to Teacher Action Research Capstone (TCH ED 6910). For non-teacher candidates, ED REM 6040 or TCH  ED 6909 may be taken.

3) Curriculum and Instruction Core (9 hours)
SEC ED 6415, The Secondary School Curriculum
SEC ED 6416, Curriculum Construction for Secondary Schools
SEC ED 6420, The Improvement of Secondary School Teaching

4) Specialization Areas (Optional: 6 hours)
Same as above

5) Electives (3-9 hours)
Students can elect hours in their teaching field or other areas of secondary Education. The following are suggested:
ED FND 6421, Philosophy of Education
ED FND 6422, Analysis of Educational Issues
ED FND 6435, History of Western Education

6) Capstone Course (3)
Students must enroll in the capstone course during their last semester and after completing Teacher Research I TCH ED 6909.
TCH ED 6910, Teacher Action Research Capstone (3)
This course is not offered in summer sessions.

Master of Education: Secondary Education with Emphasis in Middle Level Education
The M.Ed. with an emphasis in middle level Education is designed for graduate students who would like to further their competencies as a middle level Educator.

1) Required Core Requirements (9 hours)
Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study.
TCH ED 6010, Examining History, Community, and Social Justice in Education (3)
TCH ED 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership (3)
TCH ED/ED PSY 6030, Instruction, learning & Assessment (3

2) Research Course (3)
TCH ED 6909, Teacher Action Research I (3)
Take semester prior to Teacher Action Research Capstone (TCH ED 6910).
For non-teacher candidates, ED REM 6040 or TCH ED 6909 may be taken.

3) Middle Level Education Core (12 hours)
Students should select a curriculum course and at least 9 hours from the following:
ED ADM 6303, Middle School Administration
ED ADM 6315, Middle School Educational Philosophy
ED ADM 6317, Supervision and the Middle School Child
ED PSY 6225, The Psychology of Adolescence

4) Specialization Areas (Optional: 6 hours)
Same as above

5) Electives (3-6 hours)

6) Capstone Course (3)
Students must enroll in the capstone course during their last semester and after completing Teacher Action Research I TCH ED 6909.
TCH ED 6910, Teacher Action Research Capstone (3)
This course is not offered in summer sessions.

Master of Education: Secondary Education with Emphasis in Reading
The M.Ed. program with emphasis in reading (literacy) is designed to enable candidates to further their competencies as teachers of reading, writing and other communication arts. The program also prepares them for positions as literacy coaches, reading specialists, curriculum specialist in communication arts and reading areas, consultants in areas of communication arts, and/or for further graduate study. The following program enables the student to earn a M.Ed. with an emphasis in Reading while fulfilling the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s requirements for special reading certification in Missouri. A course in reading in the content area is required for secondary certification. If this has not been taken as an undergraduate, it must be selected as an elective in the program for a Masters in Secondary Education with a Reading Emphasis. The minimum required and recommended courses are as follows:

1) Required Core requirements (9 hours)
Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study.
TCH ED 6010, Examining History, Community, and Social Justice in Education (3)
TCH ED 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership (3)
TCH ED/ED PSY 6030, Instruction, learning & Assessment (3)

2) Required Research Course – Evaluation of Abilities and Achievement (3)
ED REM 6707, 6709, or 6716, Choose one course (3 hours)

3) Reading Concentration (18 hours): Required Courses
ELE ED 6684, Instructional Strategies for Teaching Reading
ELE ED 6686, Analysis and Correction of Reading Disabilities
SEC ED 6487, Literacy Acquisition & Learning for Urban Students
SEC ED 6493, Reading Specialist Practicum I
SEC ED 6494, Reading Specialist Practicum II

And at least one course from the literacy-related elective list or from the certification-related elective list below (min. 3 hrs):

4) Capstone Course (3 hours)
SEC ED 6482, Problems and Research in Teaching Secondary School Reading

Literacy Related Electives Include:
ELE ED 6630, Communication Arts Instruction
ELE ED 6436, Children’s Literature I: Survey & Analysis
ELE ED 6688, Literacy Assessment to Guide Instruction
ENGL/TCH ED 6880, Gateway Writing Project
TCH ED 4391, Teaching Reading in the Secondary School Content Areas
One course needed to complete certification (See note below)

To be recommended for Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education special reading certification, teachers must have a valid Missouri teacher’s certificate and two years of classroom teaching experience, and they must have had the following at either the undergraduate or graduate level: two additional courses in reading; language acquisition or development; classroom management techniques; counseling techniques (to include exceptional children and their families: child AND adolescent psychology; and testing, evaluation, and achievement. These certification requirements might be in addition to the courses listed in the program of study above. See your graduate advisor for information about these courses. M.Ed. Students needing any of the above can elect to take these courses at the graduate level where available and apply them to their concentration area.

Certification Related Electives Include
CNS ED 3320, Counseling Individuals with Special Needs
ECH ED 4331, Language Acquisition and Development in Early Childhood
ED PSY 6220, Psychology of the Elementary School Child
ED PSY 6225, The Psychology of Adolescence
ED REM 6707, Classroom Measurement & Evaluation
ED REM 6709, Educational and Psychological Testing
SPEC ED 4315, Speech and Language Problems Exceptional Children
SPEC ED 6320, Advanced Studies in Classroom Management

*Note: Only one 4000 level course can be applied to the M.Ed.

Master of Education: Secondary Education with Emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Others Languages (TESOL)

The M.Ed. program with emphasis in TESOL is designed to meet the need for teachers who can apply knowledge about language learning to their culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. This program meets the requirements for a Missouri Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education Teaching endorsement in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

1) Required Core (9 hours)
Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study.
TCH ED 6010, Examining History, Community and Social Justice in Education (3)
TCH ED 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership (3)
TCH ED /ED PSY 6030, Instruction, Learning & Assessment (3)

2) Required Research Course (3 hours)
TCH ED 6909, Teacher Action Research I (3)
Take semester prior to Teacher Action Research Capstone (TCH ED 6910).
For non-teacher candidates, ED REM 6040 or TCH ED 6909 may be taken.

3) TESOL Core (18 hours)
TCH ED 6210, Foundations of TESOL
TCH ED 6220, Principles of Second/Foreign Language Acquisition
TCH ED 6230, Cross-Cultural Communications in the Classroom
TCH ED 6240, Assessment for TESOL
TCH ED 6250, Methods and Materials for TESOL
TCH ED 6260, Practicum in TESOL

4) Capstone Course (3 hours)
Students must enroll in the capstone course during their last six hours and after completing Teacher Action Research I TCH ED 6909.
TCH ED 6910, Teacher Action Research Capstone (3)
This course is not offered in summer sessions.

Master of Education: Secondary Education and Certification
Those holding a baccalaureate degree or major in the teaching field who would like to pursue initial teacher preparation and a Master’s degree, can take the following program. The exact number of hours depends upon hours needed by the student to meet certification requirements in the chosen teaching field.

1) Required Teacher Certification Courses at the Graduate Level (17 hours)

TCH ED 5311, Foundations in Education (4)
TCH ED 5310, Instructional Design (3)
TCH ED 5312, Differentiated Instruction (4)
ED PSY 6109, Learning and Development in Educational Environments (4)

2) Required Teacher Certification Courses at the Undergraduate Level (19-21 hours)
These courses are not applicable to the Master’s degree
SEC ED 4xxx, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ---(3)
SEC ED 4989, Secondary Education Professional Internship (3)
SEC ED 4990, Secondary School Student Teaching (12)
SEC ED 4xxx, Student teaching Seminar (1-3)

3) Teaching Field Courses (6 hours minimum)
Selected in consultation with advisor. Should be taken at the graduate level when possible. Only graduate credit can be applied to the Master's degree

4) Master of Education Required Core Courses (9 hours)
Students should complete initial teacher certification courses before enrolling in the following:
TCH ED 6010, Examining History, Community and Social Justice in Education (3 hours)
TCH ED 6020, Teacher Action, Advocacy & Leadership
TCH ED/ED PSY 6030, Instruction, Learning & Assessment (3 hours)

5) Required Research Course (3 hours)
TCH ED 6909, Teacher Action Research I (3)
Take semester prior to Teacher Action Research Capstone (TCH ED 6910). For non-teacher candidates, ED REM 6040 or TCH ED 6909 may be taken.

6) Capstone Course (3 hours)
Students must enroll in the capstone course during their last semester and after completing Teacher Action Research I TCH ED 6909.
TCH ED 6910, Teacher Research Capstone (3)
This course is not offered in summer sessions.

• Check with your advisor regarding limits on the number of 4000 level courses that can be applied to the Master’s degree.

Total minimum 33 graduate hours

Graduate Certificate in Secondary School Teaching

The Graduate Certificate in Secondary School Teaching prepares those with at least a bachelor’s degree for teaching in high school. Normally this Graduate Certificate is taken by students who are not simultaneously pursuing the M.Ed. and teacher certification.

Admission
Applicants must meet the university’s academic requirements in their teaching field and consult a Graduate Certificate in Secondary School Teaching faculty advisor to design their programs of study. In addition, applicants meet with an advisor in the Office of Graduate Education to learn about prerequisites, checkpoints, assessments, and other requirements that may be set by the state or the university. An overall GPA of at least 2.75 is required for admission to the Graduate School.

Requirements:

GRADUATE LEVEL CERTIFICATION COURSES—(15 hours Graduate Credit)
TCH ED 5311, Foundations of Education (4)
ED PSY 6109, Learning and Development in Secondary School (4)
TCH ED 5310, Designing Instruction (3)
TCH ED, 5312, Differentiated Instruction (4)

CAPSTONE—(3 hours Graduate Credit)
TCH ED 5989, New Teacher Learning Community I (1)
TCH ED 5990, New Teaching Learning Community II (2)

Students pursuing a Teaching Certificate in Missouri need to complete the Professional Experience Courses at the undergraduate level which are not part of the Graduate Certificate hours.
TCH ED 4989, Professional Internship (3)—taken concurrently with
SEC ED A&S/FAC 4xxx, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching [Subject area] (3)
TCH ED 4990, Student Teaching (12)
SEC ED/A&S/FAC 4xxx, [Subject area], Teaching Seminar (1-3)

Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
The graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is intended for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who would like to advance their knowledge about language learning in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. The program is a combination of theory and practice, covering the key concepts, issues and innovative strategies required to apply this knowledge. Students may seek this Graduate Certificate simultaneously with the M.Ed. in Secondary Education with a specialization in TESOL.

Admission
Applicants who wish to earn a Graduate Certificate in TESOL must apply for admission to the certificate program and to the Graduate School at the University of Missouri –St. Louis as a non-degree student or as a Master’s or doctoral student. Applicants must have a 2.75 GPA in undergraduate coursework to be admitted. A background in K-12 or adult education is desirable.

Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to remain in the certificate program. The certificate is awarded after completion of the courses listed below. A program of study, or M-1, should be filed in the first one-third of the program. Students should file an Intent to Complete a Graduate Certificate at the beginning of their last semester. The Graduate Certificate in TESOL requires 18 credit hours of course work, including an entry course (TCH ED 6210):
TCH ED 6210, Foundations of 6210
TCH ED 6220, Principles of Second/Foreign Language Acquisition
TCH ED 6230, Cross-Cultural Communication in the Classroom
TCH ED 6240, Assessment for TESOL
TCH ED 6250, Methods and Materials for TESOL
TCH ED 6260, Practicum in TESOL

Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing, Gateway Writing Project

Jointly housed in the Division of Teaching and Learning and the Department of English, this Graduate Certificate prepares teachers at all levels (K-12, college, adult) to improve their students’ performance in writing. The program also emphasizes using writing as a means to promote learning in all content areas. All courses provide opportunities for teachers to write, revise, share feedback, and reflect on their own writing development. Based on the National Writing Project’s core belief that teachers of writing must themselves be writers, the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing brings together sound pedagogy, composition theory, and writing practice.

The Certificate is an 18-hour program through the Gateway Writing Project (GWP); it may also be coordinated with other graduate programs. Certificate courses may be applicable to the M.A. in English with emphasis in composition or to various M.Ed. programs. The GWP Certificate is especially appropriate for post-master’s candidates who wish to pursue a specialization in teaching writing. The Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing requires a 12 semester-hour core of courses developed by the Gateway Writing Project: The GWP invitational institute (6 hrs), a designated “topics” course (3 hrs.), and an exit course (3 hrs.). The Certificate requires a minimum of 12 semester hours at the 5000 or 6000 level or above. Electives (6 semester hours) may be chosen from approved offerings in English or Education.

Admission
Applicants must be admitted to Graduate School and be selected by the faculty admissions committee for the Gateway Writing Project’s Certificate in the Teaching of Writing. The committee will review candidates on the basis of an interview, an application essay, and supporting documentation. Criteria include experience teaching writing at any level and academic record, especially in writing and the teaching of writing.

Prerequisites:
ENGL/SEC ED 4880, “Writing for Teachers” or an equivalent course in teaching writing.
Coursework or competency in basic computer application.
Required Core Courses (12 semester hours)
ENGL 4850/TCH ED 5850, Topics in the Teaching of Writing (designated topics, 3 sem. hrs)
ENGL/TCH ED 6880, Gateway Writing Project (6 sem. hrs)
TCH ED 6890, Seminar in Professional Writing for Teachers (exit course, 3 sem. hrs)

Electives (6 semester hours)
Electives may be chosen from other Gateway Writing Project offerings or from courses offered by the appropriate academic department with advisor’s approval. These electives must include at least one more 5000-6000 level course.

Suggested electives applicable to an MA in English with writing emphasis:
ENGL 5800, Modern Linguistics
ENGL 5840, Theories of Writing
ENGL 5860, Writing/Reading Theory
ENGL 5860, Composition Research
ENGL 5890, Teaching College Writing

Suggested electives applicable to an M.Ed. in Elementary or Secondary Education
ED REM 6714, Action Research in Education
ELE ED 6387, Literacy Acquisition and Learning for Urban Students
ELE ED 6432, Problems & Research in Language Arts
ELE ED 6482, Problems & Research in Elementary Reading
SEC ED 6430, Problems in Teaching English in Secondary Schools
Courses in adult and higher education may also be appropriate.

For complete information, see The Gateway Writing Project’s Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing,