Master of Education

Program Description

The M.Ed. program in secondary education is designed for teachers who hold a clear renewable T-4 teaching certificate in English, mathematics, science, or social science. It provides advanced professional and pedagogical studies that develop expertise in the knowledge, skills, and habits of accomplished teachers.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the M.Ed. program, the candidate may apply to upgrade teacher certification to the T-5 level.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (regular admission) or 2.50 (provisional admission) on all undergraduate work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree
• A clear renewable teaching license or documentation of eligibility for certification (approved program completion and applicable licensure exam scores)
• The successful applicant must not have a criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher certifications

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Demonstrate expertise in understanding and using content in one's field of certification
• Demonstrate expertise in implementing effective instruction to help every student succeed
• Demonstrate expertise in assessing instruction, both the effect on individuals and on programs, and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning
• Display values, commitments, dispositions, and habits associated with accomplished teaching including application of educational research to teaching and learning

Additional Program Requirements

• Students must earn a 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies
• Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" or below in more than two (2) graduate courses
• A minimum of 27 hours of the hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (75%). Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence
• A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of transfer credit or courses taken at CSU prior to full admission to a masters degree program may be applied toward the degree. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below cannot be transferred. The student’s advisor and the coordinator of the program in which the student is enrolled must approve any courses transferred
• All degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years of first enrollment

An active Tk20 account is a required resource for this program because selected assignments must be submitted electronically using this online platform. Tk20 (www.tk20.com) is used by the university to maintain our accreditation, to demonstrate the quality of our academic programs, and to improve teaching and learning.

Program of Study

Click the link for the program of study within each concentration:

English Language Arts Concentration
Mathematics Concentration
Science Concentration
Social Science Concentration

English Language Arts Concentration

Area 1 Professional Core Required Hours: 7 
EDUF 6115 Educational Psychology: Achievement for Diverse Learners
EDUF 6116 Educational Research Methods
EDUF 6795 Seminar: Foundations of Collaborative Student Support

Area 2 Secondary Educ Core Required Hours: 5 
EDCI 6158 Trends/Issues in Mid/Sec Education
EDCI 6255 Teacher Inquiry and Investigation

Area 3 Concentration Required Hours: 18 
ENGL 5147, ENGL 5148, ENGL 5166, ENGL 5167 or ENGL 5168 
Select three of the following (literature and composition):
ENGL 5***/6*** or
EDSE 6115 Trends in Young Adult Literature 
Select one of the following:
EDCI 6118 Teaching Composition in Grades 4-12
EDRG 6148 Psychology of Reading 
THEA 5205 Advance Creative Dramatics

Area 4 Electives Required Hours: 6 
Recommended electives include:
EDCI 6159 Integrating Multicultural/Global Studies Throughout the Curriculum 
Other recommended electives include studies to gain a gifted education endorsement, an ESOL endorsement or NBPTS licensure.

Total Hours Required: 36

Mathematics Concentration

Area 1 Professional Core Required Hours: 7 
EDUF 6115 Educational Psychology
EDUF 6116 Educational Research Methods
EDUF 6795 Seminar: Foundations of Collaborative Student Support

Area 2: Concentration Required Hours: 23 
EDCI 6158 Trends and Issues in Middle Grades and Secondary Ed.
EDCI 6255 Teacher Inquiry and Investigation
EDSE 6125 Teaching Mathematics in Secondary School
EDSE 6526 Topics in Secondary Mathematics  
Select twelve semester hours of graduate mathematics at the MATH or STAT 5000 level or above.

Area 3: Electives Required Hours: 6 
Select six semester hours (5000 level or above) from MATH, STAT, EDSE, or EDMG with agreement of advisor.

Total Hours Required: 36

Science Concentration

Area 1 Professional Core Required Hours: 7 
EDUF 6115 Educational Psychology
EDUF 6116 Educational Research Methods
EDUF 6795 Seminar: Foundations of Collaborative Student Support

Area 2 Secondary Education Core Required Hours: 5 
EDCI 6158 Trends/Issues in Middle Grades/Sec Education
EDCI 6255 Teacher Inquiry and Investigation

Area 3 Electives (Emphasis in Biology) Required Hours: 18 
EDSE 6135 Teaching Science n the Secondary School 
Select 12 semester hours from 5000G level BIOL courses
Select three semester hours from the following:
BIOL/CHEM/ENVS/GEOL/PHYS (6000 level or above)*

OR
Area 3 Electives (Emphasis in Chemistry) Required Hours: 18 
EDSE 6135 Teaching Science in the Secondary School 
Select 12 semester hours from the following:
CHEM 5000 level and above
Select 3 semester hours from the following:
BIOL/CHEM/ENVS (6000 level or above)*

OR
Area 3 Electives (Emphasis in Earth Science) Required Hours: 18 
EDSE 6135 Teaching Science in the Secondary School
GEOL 5115 Geochemistry
GEOL 5135 Intro to Oceanography
GEOL 5215 Geomorphology
GEOL 5555 Selected Topics in Geology 
Select 2 semester hours from the following:
BIOL/CHEM/ENVS (6000 level or above)*

Area 4 Electives Required Hours: 6 
Select 4 semester hours from the following:
ATSC/BIOL/CHEM/ENVS/GEOL (5000 Level or above)
Select 2 semester hours from the following:
6000 level or above course with approval of Program Coordinator
(18 or more of the required hours must be 6000 level or above)

Total Hours Required: 36

*Note: Admission to upper level science courses may require prerequisites

Social Science Concentration

Area 1 Professional Core Required Hours: 7 
EDUF 6115 Educational Psychology
EDUF 6116 Educational Research Methods
EDUF 6795 Seminar: Foundations of Collaborative Student Support

Area 2 Pedagogical Studies Required Hours: 10 
EDCI 6158 Trends and Issues in Middle Grades/Sec Education
EDCI 6255 Teacher Inquiry and Investigation
EDSE 6145 Teaching Social Studies in Grades 6-12
EDSE 6205 Teaching the Diverse Learner in the Social Studies Classroom

Area 3 Concentration Required Hours: 18 
History: Select 18 semester hours (5000+ with at least 1 course at
6000+ level) from HIST for a content area concentration

OR
Political Science: Select 18 semester hours (5000+ with at least 1 course at
6000+ level) from POLS for a content area concentration

OR
Social Sciences: Select 18 semester hours (5000+ with at least 1 course at
6000+ level) from HIST, POLS, GEOG, or ECON to supplement previously taken coursework

Area 4 Electives Required Hours: 1 
Select 1 semester hour (6000+ level) as approved by advisor

Total Hours Required: 36