Graduate Programs
The Master of Education Degree in Secondary Education with a Specialization in Social Studies
Program of Study
Hours: 30, Thesis: Optional
The Master of Education degree in secondary education is designed for secondary school teachers and persons in related positions. The program is intended to: (1) increase awareness of the problems of education in their broad settings, (2) expand the knowledge and understanding of curriculum development and the instructional processes, (3) augment professional awareness through research in secondary education, and (4) enhance personal competence in history/social studies.
The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours. A comprehensive examination is required. All courses are three semester hours, except the thesis. All students accepted into this program must complete all requirements within six (6) calendar years.
Course Work
AREA I Problems of Education in Their Broad Setting (6 hours)
Area I is designed to explore the fundamentals underlying the education process and to relate them to current practice in schooling.
- EDU 496 Multicultural Education
- EDU 528 Education and the Culturally Different Student
- EDU 533 Social Interpretations of Education
- EDU 535 Major Philosophies of Education
- EDU 597 Change in Education
- PSY 520 Advanced Social Psychology
- PSY 527 Developmental Psychology of Adolescence
- PSY 565 Theories of Learning
AREA II Curriculum and Instruction (6 - 9 hours)
Area II is designed to investigate the criteria for decision-making and the structure and organization of curriculum and instruction. ONE of the following four courses is REQUIRED:
- EDU 567 The Curriculum of the Secondary School
- EDU 568 Middle School Curriculum and Instruction
- SSU 523 Social Studies Curriculum: Prospects and Problems
- SSU 524 Teaching Models for Social Studies Instruction
AREA III Research (3 - 9 hours)
Area III is designed to pursue an understanding of how knowledge is gained, how to verify knowledge, and how to judge its value. ONE of the following courses is REQUIRED:
- EDU 500 Methods of Research (REQUIRED)
- EDU 503 Thesis (six credit hours upon completion of the thesis). PREREQUISITE: An appropriate research methodology course.
Select with advisement:
- EDU 580 Independent Study - Secondary Education
- SSC 526 Guided Research Project
AREA IV Subject Specialization (12 - 15 hours in social studies)
Area IV is designed to provide the opportunity for scholarly growth in the fields of history and social sciences. Course selection should be made based on interest and advisement.
NOTE: Students taking the minimum number of credits in Areas I-IV will have 3 credits remaining to be completed as a free elective. These 3 credits may be satisfied by taking an additional graduate-level course. Special consideration should be given to the following:
- AVC 514 Instructional Technology
- AVC 525 Microcomputers for Educators
- AVC 553 Development of Projected Instructional Materials
- EDU 523 Evaluation: Tests and Measurements for Teachers
- EDU 537 Educational Effectiveness: An Analysis of Research
- EDU 544 Effective Secondary Instruction Seminar
- EDU 565 Special Topics in Education
- EDU 568 Middle School Curriculum and Instruction
The M.Ed. in secondary education IS NOT a teacher certification program. Graduate students who are not certified teachers and are interested in seeking certification, or who are certified and wish to obtain additional certification, must contact the Office of the Graduate Dean, Room 100, Graduate Center, (610) 683-4201 .
Contact Person
Dr. Kathleen Dolgos, Secondary Education Department Chairperson
- Department Office: 252 Beekey Building
- Telephone: (610) 683-4279
- E-mail: dolgos@kutztown.edu