Secondary Education (M.A.)

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Program Overview

A master’s in secondary education provides the opportunity to study STEM or literacy education in greater depth. Specifically designed for the practicing educator, specializing in Science, Technology and Math (STEM) is ideal for teachers interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills necessary for designing, implementing, and evaluating integrated STEM lessons in their classrooms. The Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach specialization prepares current teachers to use research-proven literacy practices and programs to effectively teach students and adults. Graduates can expect to become leaders in their schools related to effective STEM or literacy instruction. Learn more at u sd.edu/tre or usd.edu/online-seed.

DELIVERY: Online

Master of Arts, Secondary Education Non-Thesis option

-Thesis is also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

Science, Technology and Math Education (STM) Specialization

Major Requirements (30 hours)

Note: Thesis is also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
SEED 700 - Stem Methods I: History, Foundations, Trends and Issues of Science Technology and Math 3 cr
SEED 710 - Stem Methods II: Research Literature in Stem Education 3 cr
SEED 720 - Designing Projects and Environments in Stem Education 3 cr
SEED 773 - Research-Based Methods in Curriculum and Instruction 3 cr (3 cr hrs required)
SEED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 1 to 8 cr (3 cr hrs required)

Elective courses (12 credit hours)

Any TET/LT/ELED/SEED/MLED course with a focus on Science, Technology, or Mathematics (approved by the advisor)

All courses below are recommended courses by the department to fulfill this requirement for the STM specialization:

ELED 766 - Technology Integration for Effective Instruction 3 cr OR
SEED 766 - Technology Integration for Effective Instruction 3 cr
ELED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr OR
SEED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr
LT 712 - Instructional Technologies for Active Learning 3 cr
LT 716 - Systematic Design of Instruction 3 cr
LT 731 - Multimedia Production 3 cr
TET 732 - Emerging Technologies in Teaching and Training 3 cr
Also accepted: Any graduate level math and science courses will be accepted should the students be qualified and interested to take such courses.

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.S.Ed., B.A. or B.S./M.A. with STEM Education specialization

Approved to start Summer 2024.

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S.Ed., B.A., or B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit in the STEM Education specializations of the M.A. ELED or SEED programs. This accelerated option is available only to those currently enrolled in a USD B.S.Ed., B.A. ,or B.S. program.

The following restrictions apply:

Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.A. or B.S. and M.A. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree.
Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for accelerated program credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students admitted to the accelerated M.A. Program may be allowed to register for all courses included in his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Master of Arts Secondary Education, Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach Non-thesis option: Total 30 credit hours

Students in this program are required to take the Praxis Exam for Reading Specialists as an additional graduation requirement.

Note: Thesis is also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

Major Area Coursework

SEED 752 - Reading Program Leadership/Change 1-3 cr (3 credit hours required)
SEED 755 - Research/Practice Read Instruction 2-3 cr (3 credit hours required)
SEED 757 - Assessment and Interventions for Struggling and Dyslexic Readers 3 cr
SEED 781 - Theoretical Foundations of Literacy and Dyslexia 3 cr
SEED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 1 to 8 cr (3 credit hours required)
Or
ELED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 2 to 8 cr (3 credit hours required)
SEED 795 - Practicum in Secondary Education (M.A.) 1 to 6 cr (3 credit hours required)
Or
ELED 795 - Practicum 1 to 3 cr (3 credit hours required)

Supporting Area Coursework

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
Students who have not taken MLED 460 or SEED 450 or an equivalent course, must take one of the following (0-3 credit hours*):
MLED 560 - Middle Level Reading Methods 3 cr
SEED 550 - 7-12 Reading and Content Literacy (C) 3 cr
Electives approved by advisor (6-9 credit hours required)
Students may also take Thesis SEED 798 Thesis (4 credits)

Note:

* Students who have not completed middle level reading methods (MLED 460) or secondary reading and content literacy (SEED 450) course or equivalent secondary reading methods courses, will be required to complete one of the courses at the 500-level. Students who have completed this content, will enroll in an elective approved by the advisor.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Division of Teacher Residency and Education
605-658-6639 | tre @usd.edu | usd.edu/tre

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad