The Master of Education in Secondary Education degree is designed for those who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to earn an Ohio teaching license in conjunction with a master's degree. Students in this program earn a master's degree and an initial Ohio educator license for grades 7 through 12 in one content area or PreK through grade 12 in one world language. Content area options include: English language arts, mathematics, chemistry, Earth and space science, life science, physics, integrated science or social studies. World language options include: Chinese, French, German, or Spanish. 

The ME in Secondary Education is a 30 semester hour program with an addition semester hours of coursework required for licensure. Students take core educational courses along with courses selected with a faculty adviser based on the student's intended licensure area. The program culminates with a theory and research class and the completion of either a master's seminar aimed at producing a publishable manuscript, a research-based project, or a thesis depending on the student's interest. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online and field-based courses. 

Admission to the ME in Secondary Education

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the master's program requires the following:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution

• An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work

• A well-written statement of purpose describing the student’s background and goals as well as the importance of the degree in achieving those goals

• Three letters of recommendation regarding the prospective student's potential for doing master's level work from professionals such as an undergraduate major advisor, current employer, school principal or others who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to engage in graduate work in the desired program

• A content area grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale for coursework in the selected licensure area

• Undergraduate content area coursework for the selected licensure area  

• Mastery of reading, writing, and mathematics skills as demonstrated on one of these nationally normed assessments: ACT, SAT, GRE, or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Students must present test scores at or above the 50th percentile from one of these assessments. Acceptable scores for these assessments are listed below (current score scale for Fall 2019 admissions): 

  • ACT – Mathematics: 21; Reading: 21; Writing: 6

  • SAT – Mathematics: 532; Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 543; Essay Writing*: 5.0

  • GRE – Quantitative Reasoning: 153; Verbal Reasoning: 151; Analytical Writing*: 4.0

  • PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators – Mathematics (test code 5732): 156; Reading (test code 5712): 156; Writing (test code 5722)*: 162

*Writing scores are required for each option beginning 2021

The master's program has selective admissions and may admit a limited number of students. Thus, meeting all formal criteria does not guarantee admission.

What to Submit with Your Application 

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• Statement of purpose

• Resume

• Three letters of recommendation 

• Course review worksheet

• Scores for one the following: ACT, SAT, GRE, or PRAXIS CORE

Requirements for the ME in Secondary Education

For the Master of Education degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 30 semester hours of approved graduate course work

• The master's core requirement by completing one course in each of the four foundational areas in education (curriculum, research, psychological, and social and philosophical) within the first 18 semester hours of course work, i.e. four of the first six courses must be core courses

• An area of specialization in curriculum and instruction with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor

• A course in theory and research

• A thesis, project, research seminar, or field experience (practicum)

For the Ohio licensure, students must complete:

• Additional semester hours to fulfill the credential requirements as well as the degree requirements 

In addition, no more than six semester hours of credit from any combination of workshops (5950), problems or special topics courses (5980 or 6980), and independent studies (5990 or 6990) may be included in the degree program.

All coursework and requirements of the master's degree must be taken within a six-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Plan of Study

A plan of study identifying the courses for the master's degree is required after 12 credit hours, generally at the end of the first semester of full time study. The master's plan of study must include the following within the 30 semester hour minimum:

• 12 credits of master's core courses

• 12 credits of specialization

• 3 credits of theory and research 

• 3 credits of thesis, project or research seminar 

Licensure or endorsement requires additional semester hours to fulfill the credential requirements as well as degree requirements.​ Students should consult their advisor for detailed information.

Other Requirements

Prior to Beginning Classroom Experiences

• Criminal background check

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Content Assessment(s) for the licensure area

• All undergraduate content area courses

Prior to Applying for Ohio Teaching License

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Pedagogy Assessment for the licensure area

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Assessment for the licensure area

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Master of Education in Secondary Education. Students should work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

Additional hours are required to fulfill licensure requirements.