Secondary school teacher in classroom

M.Ed. Secondary Education and PA 7-12 Teacher Certification

Academics

Choose a career as a teacher and change the future of youth. 

Maria Kannebecker

"I originally came to Lehigh planning to pursue engineering and design. However, I quickly realized that my true passions lie in the classroom. While I didn't initially come to Lehigh for education, I'm very grateful that I ended up in Lehigh's COE!"

 

-Read Maria's Story

Overview

Our master’s degree in Secondary Education with Pennsylvania certification in grades 7-12 is a 33-credit program held on campus. The program is designed for the college graduate who pursued a field other than education and now wants to become a certified elementary school teacher. 

What You'll Learn

This degree offers graduate courses designed to promote evidence-based instructional practices. Master’s candidates work with our faculty to become highly skilled in best practices and effective methods for teaching all learners, including those with special needs and English language learners.

As a teacher, you are guiding youth’s development so they become successful and thriving adults. You are instrumental in their academic and social-emotional development. Your support of youth and their families has impact beyond the classroom walls. Your work builds stronger communities.

Demand for Teachers

As school enrollments rise and older teachers retire, there is great demand for new teachers in Pennsylvania and across the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting that employment of high school teachers will grow by 8 percent from 2016 to 2026. 

Program at a Glance

Format: On-Campus

Credits: 11 courses (33 credits) including the PA 7-12 Level 1 PA Teacher Certification

Length: 2 years

Deadlines: April 15 for summer semester summer, July 15 for fall semester start, December 15 for spring semester start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadlines.

Credential Earned: M.Ed. in Secondary Education and 7-12 Level 1 PA Teacher Certification

Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

International Students

Please Note:

Due to Pennsylvania Department of Education criteria, international students are not eligible for PDE certification. Lehigh is unable to provide immigration sponsorship for this program.

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The COE Advantage

In our program, you will:

  • Learn from nationally recognized professors with expertise in academic and behavioral development, instructional technology, special education, and multilingual learners. 

  • Gain hands-on experience starting in your first semester! You will enjoy mentored teaching placements in a variety of settings—including urban, suburban, and rural districts. This array of experience will be attractive to future employers as well as build your confidence and adaptability.

  • Use cutting-edge instructional technology to engage students and expand learning opportunities in dynamic, meaningful ways.

  • Build a versatile toolbox of teaching strategies designed to support all learners, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners.

Our Program Also Offers:

  • Highly Ranked Program with Competitive Tuition: We pride ourselves on offering a top-ranked education at a price point that beats out our competitors. We are the only local teacher preparation ranked in the top 100 of U.S. News & World Report. 
  • Faculty in the Field: Class instructors have firsthand experience working as PreK-12 educators.
  • Small Class Sizes: A low student-to-faculty ratio means master’s candidates work closely with mentors throughout the program. 
  • A Schedule Built for Working Adults: Courses are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings to allow you to work. This flexibility allows you to gain valuable and marketable experience in schools or with youth, such as substitute teaching and instructional assistants.   

Curriculum

Students can choose from one of eight certification areas to teach in grades 7-12:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth and Space Science
  • General Science
  • Physics
  • English
  • Mathematics 
  • Social Studies

Candidates will graduate with Level 1 Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania in one of these subject areas. Some students opt for dual certifications, for example, in an academic subject and special education.

Program of Study for General Education 7-12 Certification Only (33 credits)

SPED 332Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs 3
TLT 404Diversity, Families, and School Collaborations in K-123
TLT 405 Principles and Applications of K-12 Assessment 3
TLT 407 Instructional Design for K-12 Classrooms3
TLT 409 K-12 Classroom Environment and Management3

Content-area teaching methods course with the approval of your adviser (one of the following):

TLT 431 Social Studies in Middle Level and High School Education 3

TLT 434 English in Middle Level and High School Education 3

TLT 436 Science in Middle Level and High School Education 3

TLT 438 Mathematics in Middle Level and High School Education 3

Plus:

TLT 432 Reading and Critical Thinking in Middle Level and High School Education 3

SPED 465 Advanced Inclusionary Practices in K-12 3

TLT XXX Elective (with advisor approval) 3

TLT 440 Pre-professional Seminar 3

TLT 444 General Education Student Teaching and Seminar 3

To be eligible for certification, all master’s candidates must demonstrate competence in their subject areas. On admission, each student meets with a faculty member who is a content expert in the field in which the student seeks certification. The faculty member will review the student’s transcripts and compare the coursework to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s standards and recommend additional classes if needed. 

In addition to learning best practices for working with students of different abilities and backgrounds, candidates are trained in the basic principles of research, testing and techniques for gathering and analyzing educational data.  

During the program, master’s candidates gain practical experience working with teachers and students in a practicum of 8-10 hours per week. They spend their final semester student teaching in a classroom, with Lehigh’s certification office making the placement.

Once certified to teach in Pennsylvania, that certification has reciprocity in most states.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Pennsylvania Department of Education Requirements

It is important for individuals considering teaching as a career to be aware of the fairly rigorous academic, health and personal character requirements for teacher certification that are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for teacher candidates statewide:

Please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for additional information on Pennsylvania Certification.

In order to be eligible for secondary certification, by the time a student finishes the program he or she must have demonstrated competence in the subject matter area of that certification. Upon admission, each student meets with the content-area specialist in the field in which they seek secondary certification. The content-area specialist, who is a faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences, reviews the student’s transcripts and compares that student’s coursework with the content-area guide sheet approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Following this audit, the content-area specialist will identify what additional coursework in the content-area is needed, if any. The student is responsible for completing this coursework prior to applying for secondary certification.

Faculty & Staff

Application Requirements

  • Transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate). Evaluations are required for applicants who have earned a degree outside the U.S.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Personal statement
  • Undergraduate coursework audit by content area expert in the certification area
  • Professional resume

Still have questions?

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