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Secondary Education, M.S.

McDaniel’s Master’s in Secondary Education is a program for certified teachers who want to add to their professional toolkit and earn a master’s degree from one of the best colleges in Maryland.

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Degree Types
Master's
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Program Cost
$552 per credit
Key
Format
Online
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Total credits
33

About the Program

Tailored To Your Goals, Your Life

The 33-credit program offers the opportunity to work one-on-one with the program coordinator to self-design an academic plan that meets your individual professional needs. You’ll be encouraged to select an academic focus from a variety of McDaniel certificate programs and will have the ability to combine them to create a unique plan of study. You will also have the option to add endorsements to your teaching certificate, including:

  • Administrator I Certification
  • Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES)
  • STEM Instructional Leadership

Alumni Testimonial - Jay Eaton '12

"McDaniel's program not only taught me how to be an effective educator but also developed my personal strengths in order to teach students in the most effective manner. The program's professors and mentor teachers are world-class, as they dedicate their time and efforts to bettering your education. I currently teach at an IB/MYP (International Baccalaureate/Middle Years Programme) school where there is a stringent focus on curriculum, instructional methods, and assessment. McDaniel's Education Department pushed me to be ready for such a challenge and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for McDaniel. I'm honored to call myself an alumnus."

Why McDaniel for Secondary Education?

We’ve designed our program to make sure it meets the needs of today’s educators.

  • Reputation. McDaniel’s programs in education are respected across Maryland and the region.
  • Convenience. Courses are offered at times convenient for working adults, both in-person and online.
  • Flexibility. The self-designed course of study means you’ll get personalized guidance to build a program that meets your unique professional goals.

Nationally Accredited

McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Master of Science in Secondary Education program has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

Official seal of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

What You Need to Know About the M.S. Secondary Education

Admissions Requirements

Candidates must submit:

  • Application for graduate study (online) here. 
  • Official transcripts conferring bachelor’s degree (minimum of 3.00 GPA*) from an accredited institution; graduate transcripts if applicable.
  • Copy of a Teaching Certificate - Maryland State Department of Education Standard Professional Certificate (SPC I or SPC II). Students with Professional Eligibility Certification or evidence of completion of teacher preparation program and passing Praxis II scores can be accepted in lieu of teacher certification.  Teachers who hold a license or certification from states outside of Maryland must also provide a copy of their teaching certificate.  Students holding provisional or conditional teacher certification would not be eligible for this program. Provisional or conditional certificate holders should discuss program options with the Graduate and Professional Studies office.

Please note: Students who have a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally and will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credit hours. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis for provisional admission but may be required to provide additional documentation and/or participate in an interview. Admission may also come with additional conditions.

This program does not lead to initial teacher certification.  Students wishing to pursue initial teacher certification should consider the MS in Teaching, MS in Special Education or MS in Education of the Deaf programs.

Degree Requirements

  • Successful completion of 33 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00
  • Successful completion of an individually developed capstone project.

See Program Requirements below for focus area options.

State Authorization & Professional Licensure

Program Requirements

33 credits

  • Core Courses
  • Specialization Courses
  • Elective Courses
  • Capstone Experience

Choose a Course of Study from 1 of the following Specializations:

Administrator I

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • EDL-502
    • EDL-504
    • EDL-505
    • EDL-540
    • ITL-509
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDL-552

Equity & Excellence in Education

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • ETM-501
    • ETM-511
    • ETM-525
  • Elective Courses
    • 15 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDU-551

Elementary Math Instructional Leader (EMIL)

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • MAT-501
    • MAT-502
    • MAT-520
    • EDU-542
    • EDU-559
    • EDL-504
  • Elective Courses
    • 6 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • MAT-598

Generalist

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Elective Courses
    • 24 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDU-551

Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES)

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • GFT-501
    • GFT-502
    • GFT-503
    • GFT-504
    • GFT-505
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • GFT-552

Innovations in Teaching & Learning (ITL)

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • ITL-504
    • ITL-508
    • ITL-509
    • ITL-510
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education, including National Board Certification courses.
  • Capstone Courses
    • ITL-516
    • ITL-602

Learning Technologies Specialist

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • ITL-508
    • LTS-502
    • LTS-504
    • LTS-520
    • SLM-508
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDU-551

Special Education

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • SED-500
    • SED-501
    • SED-502 or -511
    • SED-504
    • SED-507
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDU-551

STEM Instructional Leader

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • STM-501
    • STM-502
    • STM-503
    • STM-504
    • STM-505
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • STM-506

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • TSL-500
    • TSL-503
    • TSL-510
    • TSL-532
    • TSL-535
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDU-551

Writing for Children & Young Adults

  • Core Courses
    • ITL-502
    • ETM-521
  • Specialization Courses
    • WRT-501
    • WRT-503
    • WRT-505
    • WRT-507
    • WRT-510
  • Elective Courses
    • 9 credits to be chosen from graduate courses in education
  • Capstone Course
    • EDU-551

Program & Course Details

Secondary Education M.S. Catalog

Find Out More

Discover more about this program and others at one of our monthly, virtual open houses!  

Register

Apply

This program begins in Fall, Spring, and Summer. 

Start Your Application

Program Coordinator

Steven Johnson
(410) 386-4672

Email the Coordinator

Advancing Your Career

The Secondary Education Program prepares certified teachers to:

  • Expand your teaching repertoire and content knowledge
  • Add endorsements to your existing teaching certificate
  • Increase opportunities within your school district

Five-Year Accelerated B.A. to M.S. Pathway at McDaniel

McDaniel’s bachelor’s to master’s (B.A./M.S.) pathway programs provide the unique opportunity for academically qualified McDaniel students to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in an accelerated timeframe with less cost. Meet two recent undergraduate students who are using the five-year pathway to earn their master's degree from McDaniel!

Sarah Mendez - Class of 2024

Art B.A. to Secondary Education M.S. Class of 2024: Sarah Méndez Becoming an Art Teacher

Art major Sarah Méndez earned her bachelor's degree in Art in 2024. "My next steps include finishing my graduate degree in Secondary Education here at McDaniel! I absolutely love teaching and I hope to one day either teach at university level or secondary level."

A student holding a Bible and a calculator stands in front of a white background.

Math B.A. to Secondary Education M.S. Class of 2024: Montara Clay Becoming a Math Teacher

Montara Clay didn’t expect to call herself a mathematician in college, but since starting her journey to become a math teacher, Montara realized it was a perfect fit. "In my capstone, I addressed what the heat equation is and how it works. Then I talked about two ways that you can teach the heat equation to high schoolers."

Related Programs

Equity and Excellence in Education Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES) STEM Instructional Leader

Find Out More

Discover more about this program and others at one of our monthly, virtual open houses!  

Register

Apply

This program begins in Fall, Spring, and Summer. 

Start Your Application

Program Coordinator

Steven Johnson
(410) 386-4672

Email the Coordinator
McDaniel College
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Westminster, MD, 21157
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