School of Education Graduate
Master of Science in Secondary Education
MS Master of Science with certification
Becoming an educator is more than a career — it’s a calling. In UB’s Secondary Education program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to inspire and engage students at the middle and high school levels.
Certification tracks
Secondary Education certification programs
In UB’s Secondary Education program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to inspire and engage students at the middle and high school levels. Secondary educators play a vital role in shaping young minds by providing subject-specific instruction to grades 4-12 students. Our program prepares you to become a dynamic classroom leader in one of the following certification tracks:
Business
Secondary Business
Business education teachers help students reach their full potential as consumers, savers, investors, and working professionals.
Prerequisites: a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field (i.e. Business Management, Accounting, Finance), OR 30 undergraduate credits in business plus 9 in a related area.
English
Secondary English
The Secondary English program prepares you for grade 4-12 English certification in the state of Connecticut. The Secondary English program is a nationally recognized program through the National Council of Teachers of English. Courses explore topics including: Supporting teaching-learning connections; Illuminating issues relating to student variability; In-depth exploration of English literature and content.
Candidates for the Secondary English program must demonstrate that they meet the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) standards. Applicants must have either a major in English or show that they have at least 30 credits of English coursework demonstrating both depth and breadth in their coursework. All students must have completed at least 9 credits in American and British literature, a 3 credit grammar or linguistics course, at least 3 credits in a genre study (such as short story or poetry), 3 credits in composition/communications, 6 credits in world literature, minority literature, and/or women’s literature, a 3 credit Shakespeare course, and a 3 credit advanced seminar or author study.
History and Social Studies
Secondary History and Social Studies
The Secondary History and Social Studies program offers experiences that prepare individuals to become successful teachers in the fields of History and Social Studies. Courses provide the range of understandings that support teaching-learning connections, that illuminate issues relating to student variability, that provide for meaningful exploration of content. Certification for the State of Connecticut to teach Secondary grades 4-12 History/Social Studies is offered as part of a Master’s degree. All of the education requirements for courses are built into the Master’s study. The student teacher requirement is completed subsequent to the degree.
Prerequisites: a History major and 18 additional credits in other Social Sciences, or a Social Science major such as Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science or Sociology with 18 additional credits in History, or an interdisciplinary major with at least 18 credits in History including U.S., Western or Europe and Non-Western, and at least 21 credits in other Social Sciences including a minimum of one course each in Political Science, Economics, Geography, and Anthropology or Sociology or Psychology. Course requirements: Nine credits in foundations: Special Education and Educational Psychology; Three credits in History/Social Studies methods; Three credits in Reading and Writing in the Content areas; One credit in statutory state requirements; Six credits in field experience; Appropriate electives as needed to reach 33 credits for the Master’s Degree; Final degree option (PRAXIS II or credit-bearing project); Resident Teaching (six credits not counting towards the Master’s Degree)
Mathematics
Secondary Mathematics
The program in Mathematics Education offers courses and classroom experiences to prepare future secondary teachers to successfully teach mathematics to a wide variety of students.
Prerequisites: a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from an accredited institution, or 30 undergraduate credits in Mathematics.
Science
Secondary Science
The science program is designed for those desiring to become competent secondary school science teachers.
Prerequisites for biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics certification: a science subject area major awarded by a regionally accredited undergraduate institution, or 30 undergraduate credits in the desired subject plus 9 in a related field. For General Science certification: 39 undergraduate credits in science including biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. Program requirements: Nine credits in foundations: Special Education and Educational Psychology; Three credits in Science methods; Three credits in Reading and Writing in the Content areas; One credit in statutory state requirements; Six credits in field experience; Appropriate electives to reach 33 credits for the Master’s Degree; Final degree option (PRAXIS II or credit-bearing project); Resident Teaching (six credits not counting towards the Master’s Degree)
Music
Music (PreK-12)
Contact Admissions for more information on certification requirements and program prerequisites.
Save over $25,000 in tuition
UB’s Secondary Education program provides you with real-world teaching experience through our tuition-paid internship or hands-on field placements. We partner with more than 60 school districts across Connecticut and New York, allowing you to gain valuable experience in a local school while reducing your tuition costs. By completing this internship, you can save over $25,000 in tuition while gaining essential classroom experience. Interns complete their degree over the course of one school year, attending classes 2-3 evenings per week. The program consists of 33 credits of master’s-level coursework completed over two semesters.
Student voices
Student voices
I made some great connections during my internship, which was just invaluable. I got to learn about how a school was run. From something as simple as how to work a copy machine to how to manage a classroom, I worked through all those growing pains during my UB internship.
Admission requirements
How to apply
Contact Admissions for more information on certification requirements and program prerequisites.
Program prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or recognized international institution
- Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (‘B’) or higher. Applicants whose cumulative GPA falls between 2.67 (‘B-’) and 3.0 (‘B’) will be considered for admission on a provisional basis.
- A master’s degree from a regionally accredited university is required for the Sixth-Year program.
Required materials
- Application and application fee (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts from each institution attended
- International transcripts must include an official course-by-course evaluation of all academic work from naces.org.
- While this program is not open to international students, we invite you to explore other opportunities at UB. See our full list of academic programs.
Deadlines
Why study secondary education
A lasting impact on students
Teaching at the secondary level allows you to make a meaningful and lasting impact on students as they prepare for their futures. You’ll have the opportunity to mentor and guide young adults, helping them develop subject mastery and essential life skills. Our program is designed to equip you with the expertise needed to succeed in the classroom, including preparation for the edTPA portfolio assessment and Praxis II exam, both of which are required for state certification.
Course catalog
Every course, in full
View all courses offered and read full course descriptions in our online course catalog system.
Foundations of education
2 courses
6 credits
Foundations of education
Special education
1 course
3 credits
Special education
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 564 | Education of the Exceptional Student |
Teaching methods and materials – middle (M) or secondary (J) level
8 courses
2-3 credits
Teaching methods and materials – middle (M) or secondary (J) level
Students must take one (1) of the following methods and materials courses specific to their certification area
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 440M | Methods and Materials in Teaching Language Arts in Middle School |
| EDUC 440J | Methods and Materials in Teaching Language Arts, Secondary Level |
| EDUC 441M | Methods and Materials Teaching Math, Middle School |
| EDUC 441J | Methods and Materials Teaching Math, Secondary |
| EDUC 442M | Methods and Materials Teaching Social Studies, Middle School |
| EDUC 442J | Methods and Materials Teaching Social Studies, Secondary |
| EDUC 443M | Methods and Materials Teaching Science, Middle School |
| EDUC 443J | Methods and Materials Teaching Science, Secondary |
Content literacy and literature
1 course
3 credits
Content literacy and literature
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 575J | Reading Content Area, Secondary |
Required for secondary English education program students
1 course
3 credits
Required for secondary English education program students
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 536J | Adolescent Literature Secondary |
Statutory requirements
1 course
Statutory requirements
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 511 | Statutory Requirements |
Field experience/supervised teaching residency
2 courses
Field experience/supervised teaching residency
Additional program requirements
4 courses
Additional program requirements
Final degree requirement
3 courses
Final degree requirement
Requirements for state of Connecticut certification
1 course
Requirements for state of Connecticut certification
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 450 | Field Experience |
* Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 33 credits which does not include 6 credits for student teaching
** May be taken in 2 semesters (2 credits each) or one semester at 4 credits
Each student must have the appropriate undergraduate coursework for their certification area. Students are advised to check with their academic advisor for all undergraduate and graduate certification requirements.
Students need to complete all requirements on their planned program of study and pass all performance assessments.
Biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, or physics requirements***
1 course
Biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, or physics requirements***
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 443J | Methods and Materials Teaching Science, Secondary |
English requirements***
3 courses
English requirements***
Mathematics requirements***
5 courses
Mathematics requirements***
History and social studies requirements
1 course
History and social studies requirements
History major plus 18 credits in other social sciences; or major in Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Geology, Economics, plus 18 credits in history
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 442J | Methods and Materials Teaching Social Studies, Secondary |
Business requirements***
1 course
Business requirements***
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| EDUC 445 | Methods and Materials of Teaching Business, Sec |
*** Undergraduate major in certification area (English, Math, etc…) or 30 credits plus nine (9) credits in related subject(s) to certification area
Certifications
Certifications
- Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts
Related programs
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