Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Secondary Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Secondary Education

Our Secondary Education master of education (M.Ed.) program has the coursework and school-based practicum experiences to help you develop the skills you will need in your teaching practice. The program will provide you with an academic foundation that will lead to grades 8–12 licensure in STEM or 5-12 licensure in humanities (i.e., English and History).

At a Glance

How many courses?


The program consists of 9 courses and a 4-course practicum, for a total of 37 credits.

How long will it take?


For full time students, the program will take 1 academic year plus 2 summer sessions; part time students will take 2-3 years.

When can I start?


Start dates include fall, spring, and summer semesters.

How much does it cost?


To estimate your total program cost, multiply the number of credits required in your program by the tuition cost per credit.

What I want my students to understand is that teaching is a critical and vital way to serve and value human dignity and justice. That’s the core of teaching, and teacher training.
Dr. Lillie Albert, Professor

Curriculum

The Secondary Education master's degree program leads to grades 8–12 licensure in STEM or grades 5-12 licensure in Humanities (i.e., English and History) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in one of the following fields: Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, or Physics.

 

The program includes coursework in teaching methods, examining broad social features linked to formal education, content area electives, and school-based practicum courses with related inquiry seminars. Practicum experiences offer you opportunities to collaborate with fellow master’s students around issues of teaching and learning at practicum sites. To bolster your experience with English language learners in the classroom, you have the opportunity to obtain a Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) Certificate.

Requirements


  • Courses: 9 or 12
  • Practicum Courses: 4
  • Credits: 37 or 46
  • Comprehensive Exam

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The 37-credit program is recommend for all students—regardless of licensure discipline—if you have a background in their content area. E.g., it was your undergraduate major. M.Ed. licensure areas include Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, and Physics.

Electives Courses (6 Credits)

Students will select 2 electives (3 credits each) in their content area, with the help of their advisor. 

Practicum Courses (10 Credits)

For the initial pre-practicum, candidates typically spend one day per week in a school setting with a mentor teacher. For the full practicum, candidates work full-time for 14 weeks in all aspects of classroom teaching working closely with a cooperating teacher and university supervisor.

CourseCourse TitleCredits
EDUC7431

Graduate Inquiry Seminar I

The course will coincide with the pre-practicum experience. It is designed to introduce teacher candidates to inquiry as stance and the skills necessary to conduct classroom-based research that leads to pupil achievement and teaching for social justice. The course is designed to help teacher candidates mediate the relationships of theory and practice, pose questions for inquiry, learn through reflection and discussion, learn from their students and colleagues, construct critical perspectives about teaching, learning, and schooling, and to improve teaching and learning. The second part of this sequence is 432 which is taken in conjunction with full-time student teaching (EDUC7420).

1
EDUC7429

Graduate Pre-practicum

This is a pre-practicum experience for students in graduate programs leading to certification. Placements are made in selected schools in the greater Boston area. Apply to the Office of Practicum Experiences and Teacher Induction during the semester preceding the placement by April 15 for fall placements and December 1 for spring placements. Students who are accepted into a program after the deadlines are requested to submit the application upon notification.

1
EDUC7432

Graduate Inquiry Seminar II

The primary goal of this capstone seminar is to initiate teacher candidates into the practice of teacher research or collaborative inquiry for action. Collaborative Inquiry for Action is an ongoing, collaborative process of systematic and self-critical inquiry by educators about their own schools and classrooms in order to increase teachers' knowledge, improve students' learning, and contribute to social justice. This final project will be presented at a roundtable presentation at the end of the semester and also satisfies the M.Ed., MAT, MST Comprehensive Examination in Education.

2
EDUC7420

Graduate Full Practicum / Initial License

A semester-long, full-time, five day a week practicum experience for graduate students in early childhood, elementary and secondary education. The course is designed to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations requirements for endorsement from Boston College. Students will be guided by a qualified school-based mentor (Supervising Practitioner) and a university-based mentor (Program Supervisor). In addition to registering for the course, students must complete the online application (http://bc-us.inplacesoftware.com/student) during the semester preceding the placement by April 15 for fall placements and December 1 for spring placements. Contact the Office of Field Placement and Partnership Outreach at prac@dos5.net for more information. Department permission required after August/December 15.

6

Master's Comprehensive Exam (0 Credits)

CourseCourse TitleCredits
EDUC8100

Master's Comprehensive Exam

In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to take a written comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. Fulfilled by Inquiry Seminar II.

0

Student Teaching

Professional experiences comprise early field experiences, referred to as pre-practicum placements, and an immersive, semester-long full practicum experience.

Pre-practicum

Graduate students complete a pre-practicum experience, which consists of one school day per week for 10 weeks. 

Full Practicum

Full practicum experience is five days each week in the classroom for the entire semester. 


Support


You are guided by a qualified school-based mentor and a university-based mentor

Licensure


Designed to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) requirements for endorsement from Boston College, leading to licensure

Variety of Settings


Experience a range of urban and suburban public, private, parochial, and charter schools in Greater Boston

Donovan Urban Scholars Program


 

March 14, 2024 -- The Epiphany School in Dorchester, MA, a partnership school with Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Steeve Joazard teaching a middle school class.

As part of an intensive one-year M.Ed. program that leads to licensure, Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars learn how to flourish as K–12 teachers in urban schools through a curriculum that prioritizes critical inquiry, social justice education, and community building. 

Donovan Scholars select the desired program from the list, which correlates with a state license. You may choose any state to become licensed in and will complete the appropriate assessment(s). 

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Moderate Special Needs

Accreditation

We are an approved teacher preparation program by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Upon successful completion of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development's educator preparation program, students earn endorsement from Boston College for licensure in Massachusetts. For more information about educator licensure, including if you are seeking licensure in another state, please visit the licensure disclosure page.

Faculty

Tuition & Aid

Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $11.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable. 

Careers

Roles

  • Assistant Principal of Academics
  • Fourth Grade Teacher
  • Sixth Grade Teacher
  • High School History Teacher
  • Director of Exhibits
  • Court Procedures Attorney
  • First Grade Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Mathematics Instructor
  • School Principal & ELL Coordinator

Organizations

  • St. John's Preparatory School
  • Littleton Public Schools
  • Papillion La Vista School District
  • Concord-Carlisle Regional School District
  • Museum of Science
  • Goodwin Procter LLP
  • Boston Public Schools
  • Needham Public Schools
  • Steppingstone Foundation
  • North Attleborough Public Schools

Apply

Apply

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Application & Deadlines

Apply Now

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.

Deadlines

Spring 2025

Priority Deadline - November 1
Rolling Admission - Until December 1

Summer 2025

Priority Deadline - January 7
Rolling Admission - Until April 1 

Fall 2025

Priority Deadline - January 7
Rolling Admission - Until July 15

 

Résumé

To be uploaded to your online application.

In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online application.

In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one preferably coming from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required.

Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.

Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218. 

Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.

Writing Sample

Not required.

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.

Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.

Requirements for International Students

Quick Links

Contact Us

  gsoe@dos5.net
  617-552-4214