Secondary Education (Teaching Advanced Academics) (M.Ed.)

Program Overview

The Secondary Education (Teaching Advanced Academics) M.Ed. program at Texas State University prepares educators to teach college-level courses to high school students through advanced academic programs. The program emphasizes knowledge and skills in advanced academics, curriculum and instruction, and a specific content area. Graduates are well-positioned for teaching college courses at both the high school and postsecondary level, as well as careers in campus and district administrative positions related to dual credit/enrollment or advanced academics.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Secondary Education (Teaching Advanced Academics) Master of Education (M.Ed.) program at Texas State University is designed to prepare educators to teach college-level courses to high school students through advanced academic programs such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Early College High School models. The program emphasizes the development of knowledge, skills, and expertise in advanced academics, curriculum and instruction, and a specific content area.

Objectives:

• Prepare educators to teach college courses to high school students who are developmentally in a different place than college students.
• Develop knowledge and skills for teaching excellence in dual credit/early college high school teaching and learning.
• Provide systems, organizational, and advisory expertise of how dual credit teaching fits into the P-16 ecosystem.

Program Description:

The program consists of 36 credit hours, including 18 hours of coursework in advanced academics and 18 hours in a specific content area. The advanced academics courses cover topics such as:

• Preparing educators to teach college courses to high school students who are developmentally in a different place than college students.
• Comparing characteristics of postsecondary learners with those of secondary learners.
• Exploring how postsecondary institutions actively teach learning strategies and develop critical thinking skills.
• Identifying teaching practices that can effectively develop postsecondary critical thinking skills in a high school setting.
• Knowledge and skills for teaching excellence in dual credit/early college high school teaching and learning.
• Examining factors creating racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other barriers to equitable participation in dual credit classes.
• Supporting high school experiences that accurately reflect instructors' abilities to deliver college-level content and skills.
• Systems, organizational, and advisory expertise of how dual credit teaching fits into the P-16 ecosystem.
• Understanding the role and influence of P-12 and postsecondary relationships.
• Analyzing policies and best practices that inform the way students are advised through dual credit programs.
• Developing leadership skills essential for successful dual credit programs at the campus and district levels.
The remaining 18 hours of coursework are dedicated to a specific content area (e.g., Math, Political Science, History, or English). These courses are content-based rather than curriculum-based, satisfying the current accreditation requirements for post-secondary instructors.

Outline:

Content:

The program's content covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Advanced academics
• Teaching college courses to high school students
• Curriculum and instruction
• A specific content area (e.g., Math, Political Science, History, or English)

Structure:

The program consists of 36 credit hours, including:

• 18 hours of coursework in advanced academics
• 18 hours of coursework in a specific content area

Course Schedule:

The program's course schedule is designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, including online, evening, and weekend classes.

Individual Modules:

The program's individual modules cover a variety of topics, including:

• Preparing educators to teach college courses to high school students
• Comparing characteristics of postsecondary learners with those of secondary learners
• Exploring how postsecondary institutions actively teach learning strategies and develop critical thinking skills
• Identifying teaching practices that can effectively develop postsecondary critical thinking skills in a high school setting.
• Knowledge and skills for teaching excellence in dual credit/early college high school teaching and learning
• Examining factors creating racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other barriers to equitable participation in dual credit classes
• Supporting high school experiences that accurately reflect instructors' abilities to deliver college-level content and skills
• Systems, organizational, and advisory expertise of how dual credit teaching fits into the P-16 ecosystem
• Understanding the role and influence of P-12 and postsecondary relationships
• Analyzing policies and best practices that inform the way students are advised through dual credit programs
• Developing leadership skills essential for successful dual credit programs at the campus and district levels

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

The program's assessment methods vary depending on the course and module. Some common assessment methods include:

• Exams
• Quizzes
• Papers
• Projects
• Presentations

Assessment Criteria:

The program's assessment criteria are based on the following:

• Knowledge of the content
• Understanding of the concepts
• Application of the skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The program's teaching methods vary depending on the course and module. Some common teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Group work
• Simulations
• Case studies

Faculty:

The program's faculty are nationally recognized leaders and scholars in education. They bring a wealth of academic and professional experience to the program.

Unique Approaches:

The program's unique approaches include:

• An emphasis on the development of knowledge, skills, and expertise in advanced academics
• A focus on the preparation of educators to teach college courses to high school students
• A partnership with local school districts to provide field experiences for students

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

Graduates of the program are well-positioned for teaching college courses at both the high school and postsecondary level. They may also pursue careers in campus and district administrative positions related to dual credit/enrollment or advanced academics.

Opportunities:

Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to:

• Teach college courses at high schools
• Teach college courses at postsecondary institutions
• Pursue careers in campus and district administrative positions related to dual credit/enrollment or advanced academics

Outcomes:

Graduates of the program have been successful in obtaining teaching positions at high schools and postsecondary institutions. They have also been successful in obtaining campus and district administrative positions related to dual credit/enrollment or advanced academics.