Secondary Education: Pedagogy and Practice

Master of Science

The Master of Science in Secondary Education is a 100% online program for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree in a field related to English, math, science, or social studies, and are looking to earn a secondary education (grades 7-12) teaching certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This program can be completed in as little as one year

With a reputation for preparing the region’s best teachers, Mercyhurst is on the cutting edge in developing teacher-leaders who have a rich background in action research. This program satisfies all Pennsylvania certification requirements. If you are able to pass the PRAXIS exam for your desired certification subject, you do not need to take additional subject-based undergraduate coursework. Because this is a Master of Science degree, rather than a Master of Education (M.Ed.), individuals completing this program will be qualified to pursue doctoral programs in educational fields.

Program Overview

Options: Master’s, 4+1 for Mercyhurst undergrads
Location(s): Online coursework; school-based clinicals
Credits: 36
Duration: Minimum 12 months*
Cost: $921 per credit; $33,956 total
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Start term(s): Summer (preferred), fall, or spring semester
Careers: Teaching in a secondary education setting

*Most students can complete the program in one year; those who enroll in the Fall or Spring semesters will take longer than 12 months to complete the program. Typically students begin in the summer semester. The entire program, aside from required clinical hours, is offered asynchronously online. In other words, you can complete the program working around your own schedule with limited specific-time requirements. Courses are offered year-round, allowing customization for individual students who want to attend part time.

Learning Outcomes

We strive to be the region's premier certification program for highly qualified teachers in secondary education. Our students graduate with the skills to:

Design, conduct, and evaluate classroom activities
Manage the instructional environment
Implement, adapt, and assimilate effective instructional strategies
Assess and evaluate materials to meet the instructional needs and levels of diverse learners
Monitor and adjust instructional strategies
Communicate effectively
Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior

Ready to Apply?

Applicants must fulfill the following admissions requirements:

-Completed free online application
-A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited school with a preferred overall minimum GPA of 3.0
-Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended
-A current resume
-A 500-750 word personal statement outlining your reasons for enrolling and personal and professional goals
-A letter of recommendation from a professional or academic source (such as an employer or professor)

Admissions decisions are made by the program director on a rolling basis after a holistic review. At the discretion of the director of the secondary education graduate program, admission may be granted to applicants who have not fulfilled all the admissions requirements provided they agree to the conditions of the acceptance prescribed by the director.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but the time to graduation will be extended by at least one year.

Students can complete the program outside of PA and gain certification through your state after you have received your PA certification. Depending on your state, you may have to take an additional exam for certification.

Six weeks of clinical experience is needed for teachers who already have certification.

While on-campus seminars will be offered, students are not required to physically attend. If the distance to campus is too far for travel, students will be required to participate in an online capacity.

Students must have access to a computer with Microsoft Office software, webcam, and headphones for several of the online courses in this program.

Both the Intermediate Unit 5, located near Edinboro, and Kelly Services, located on West Ridge Rd in Erie, help administer emergency substitute teacher, sometimes referred to as guest teacher, programs that provide substitute teachers for several of the school districts throughout Erie, Warren and Crawford counties. If you are looking to get some secondary ed experience before committing to our master's degree program, reaching out to either of those facilities would be a good first step.

If you are currently a long term sub or anticipate being a long term sub, our program director is willing to review your experience for credit. While the policy for awarding credit for substitute teaching experience is still under development, our intent would be to award credit based on a portfolio of your experience as a long term sub in the classroom.