Master of Science in Education Secondary Education with a Concentration in Initial Licensure 6-12 Mathematics (MSEd)

Master of Science in Education, Secondary Education

3101 Education Building
757-683-3284

Secondary programs include the Master of Science in Education degree program and three Post-baccalaureate licensure programs. Within the Master of Science in secondary education degree program there are a number of concentrations and content area choices for both licensed teachers as well as those seeking initial licensure or endorsement.

For those seeking initial licensure there are the following content areas:  6-12 (content areas:  biology, chemistry, earth science, English, mathematics, physics, social studies), and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12 (TESOL).

For licensed teachers seeking additional education there are the following concentration areas: 6-12 . Post-baccalaureate endorsement programs are designed for individuals with a non-teaching BS or BA degree who want to obtain licensure, or for those with a teaching license who want to be licensed in an additional teaching area. The two endorsement programs offered in secondary education are 6-12 and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12 (TESOL).

Please note that there are secondary education programs for earning a bachelor's degree with initial licensure in grades 6-12 described in the ODU Undergraduate Catalog.

Master of Science in Education, Secondary Education, for Licensed Teachers

3101 Education Building
757-683-3284

Tom Bean, Graduate Program Director

The Master of Science in Education, Secondary Education program for licensed teachers is designed for those who wish to improve and update their professional competency in teaching and enrich their teaching expertise for becoming master teachers. Licensed teachers completing the program enhance their ability to teach effectively and to conduct powerful educational research that has a direct impact upon their individual practice and school settings. Completion of the program requirements leads to the upgrade of the teaching license to the Postgraduate Professional level. The program of study consists of 30-credit hours, with 18 credit hours taught in a cohort model with shared courses for students from the early childhood, elementary and secondary advanced master’s degree programs. An additional three credit hours are completed as independent research/internship. The remaining nine credit hours focus explicitly on teaching and learning in the secondary grades. The MSEd - Secondary Education program for licensed teachers is offered online only. 

The graduate program associated with this major is intended to meet the needs of the individual student. Program options are designed to accomplish three primary goals:

1. to enhance classroom instruction by enriching the knowledge and skills of practicing teachers;
2. to train and encourage classroom teachers to conduct in-school research so that significant findings in the learning-teaching process can be applied to the classroom situation; and
3. to permit teachers to upgrade their teaching credentials to the Postgraduate Professional License level.

Curricula for the program include specific courses that emphasize the inter-disciplinary nature of teaching in diverse settings. Topics addressed in courses include curricular and pedagogical principles, assessment, English language learners, teaching in the digital age, and culturally responsive teaching. Students also learn to engage in reflective inquiry and how to conduct practitioner inquiry that directly transforms instructional practice and beliefs about teaching. The program has four component areas:

1. General core;
2. Research core;
3. Elementary emphasis area; and
4. Capstone experience.

Students must choose one of two capstone options – a research thesis and associated 3-credit hour thesis course (Thesis Option); or an internship experience and associated 3-credit hour internship course (Internship Option). The thesis option requires a successful defense of the thesis prospectus. The non-thesis internship option requires successful completion of a comprehensive examination covering program coursework.

Admission

All students must apply for and be admitted into the approved MSEd in Secondary Education, 6-12, with initial licensure program. For admission to the Campus-Based emphasis area, the following criteria must be met:

1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university is required in the liberal arts and sciences (or equivalent). The degree must include semester hours (which meet Virginia’s stated coursework competencies) in one of the following content areas: English, mathematics, earth science, chemistry, biology, or physics, and history/social studies, which will be listed on the license.
2. Students must meet the required criteria for admission by passing the Virginia Board of Education prescribed assessments and earning the minimum required grade point averages (GPA). For the most current information on the prescribed Virginia Board of Education admission assessment, visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website, http://www.odu.edu/oce and review the Teacher Education Handbook.
3. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.80 is required for admission.
4. Only courses that meet the grade required for the academic major or professional education will be accepted for admission in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies.
5. An application for graduate studies and official transcripts must be submitted by the appropriate deadline for admission. Under certain circumstances, applicants who do not fully meet the requirements for regular admission to the program may be admitted on a provisional basis subject to conditions specified by the graduate program director for secondary education.

Curriculum

Initial Licensure 6-12 Mathematics Concentration

There are a number of individuals who have earned BS or BA degrees who now want to obtain a master’s degree leading to licensure as a secondary school teacher. In the program, students complete (or have completed) a minimum of 32 credits of undergraduate courses in one endorsement area (mathematics) and an additional 31-34 credits of education courses at the graduate level.

Students seeking this degree need to apply through the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Additional Requirements

Continuance

1. Students must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) modules during the first twelve graduate credit hours at Old Dominion University.
2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 with a minimum grade requirement of B or higher required in all practicum coursework and a minimum B- grade in the remaining graduate professional education courses.
3. Students must take and pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and the Praxis Subject Assessment (formerly Praxis II) examination for the appropriate specialty area prior to or while enrolled in the instructional strategies course and the seminar in teacher education (TLED 583).
4. A clearance background check must be completed prior to placement in a field experience required for observation and practicum courses and for the teacher candidate internship.  For more information on the criminal background check process please review the information on the Office of Clinical Experienceswebsite.
5. All assessments must be passed prior to the start of the Teacher Candidate Internship Orientation session.  For more information please review the information on the Office of Clinical Experiences website.
6. Students must obtain certificates of completion in First Aid/AED/CPR, Dyslexia Awareness Training, Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training, Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Cultural Competence Training.

To review more information on the Virginia Board of Education prescribed professional assessments visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website.

Exit

Requirements for graduation include the following:

1. Passage of the teaching portfolio comprehensive exam,
2. completion of the Graduate Assessment,
3. a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA, with a minimum grade requirement of B or higher required in all practicum coursework and a grade of B-or higher in the remaining graduate professional education courses.
4. successful completion of the Teacher Candidate Internship,
5. completion of an exit interview,
6. completion of all course requirements, and
7. submission of an application for graduation.

Only courses that meet the grade required for the academic major or professional education will be accepted toward licensure requirements in the Darden College of Education.

Program Requirements

Students seeking initial licensure plus a master’s degree in secondary education (grades 6-12) must meet the grade required for the academic major and professional education in order to complete the master's degree. Transcripts will be evaluated by the education advisor to determine whether the academic requirements have been met by previous course work. Subject area specific course work (content) that was not met in previous course work must be completed prior to Teacher Candidate Internship (student teaching) orientation session. Experiential learning credit may be available for some non-academic work.