Graduate Programs - Graduate Teacher Certification Program

 

Graduate Teacher Certification Program (GTCP)

Secondary Education Overview

 

Specializations in secondary education lead to certification at the high school level. Secondary Education is for those who wish to be certified to teach students in grades 7-12 in one academic area. Candidates are introduced to a variety of philosophies and approaches to secondary education through coursework and field experiences and to a wide variety of students from diverse backgrounds.

 

Reflective teaching at the secondary level is important to ensure that students engage in maximal educational experiences as they prepare to enter adulthood. Some crucial dilemmas are recognized, such as the nature of the curriculum and allocation of resources, time and materials. Our goal is to prepare professional educators who are able to meet the challenges presented by a changing society, while adhering to sound instructional practice.

Requirements

 

Because of their non-degree status, GTCP candidates do not have to submit GRE or MAT scores for admission, but must submit passing scores on the Praxis I tests in Reading (177), Writing (173), and Mathematics (177). GTCP candidates do not have to take comprehensive examinations or produce a thesis, but they must pass the Praxis II test in the Core Knowledge of Secondary Education before becoming eligible for certification.  The coursework for certification candidates is approximately the same as that for MA candidates, one difference being that GTCP candidates substitute two electives for Education 699 and 702, two courses required in the MA program.

 

GTCP candidates may apply for admission to the MA program at any time during their course of study but will have to be accepted into the MA program and complete all MA requirements. If you are interested in more information on the MA program in Teacher Education, Secondary Education, please click here.