Online Master's in Humanities Education for Secondary Education

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Degree Level

Master's

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Teaching

Program

MEd in Secondary Humanities Education

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Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

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Country

United States

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Overview

Become a Secondary Education Humanities Teacher in Nevada

The Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary Humanities Education degree at Grand Canyon University is designed to prepare you to pursue licensure as a middle school or high school teacher. The humanities education coursework teaches you how to lead classes related to language arts, social studies and the arts. You will have opportunities to examine and practice core competencies and skills that are necessary in this field, including teaching strategies and classroom management.

This master’s in humanities education degree is designed to provide teaching candidates in Nevada an Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL). Education students who pursue an education degree with licensure will be taught the skills needed to prepare them to earn a teaching certificate by completing practical field experiences and go on to pass the state exam for teaching licensure.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, you can use the ARL program to meet the Nevada state requirements while continuing to work in the classroom. Upon graduating from this online master’s in humanities education degree program, you will be eligible to pursue a teaching license in Nevada.

Master of Education in Secondary Humanities Education

Offered By

College of Education

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $615 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 44

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 6 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

This program is only available in Nevada. A similar program is available in your state.

Why GCU

Benefits of Earning a Secondary Education Master’s in Humanities From GCU

The MEd in Secondary Humanities Education program is designed for teachers who plan to work while also attending school. In Nevada, teachers under the ARL program are looking for ways to achieve standard licensing. This program can help working teachers stay in the classroom while also earning a master’s degree and licensure.

There are many benefits of being a teacher with a master’s degree, including:

Knowledge of modern teaching practices

Continuing professional development opportunities

Potential to focus on a specialization

Possible opportunities to pursue leadership roles within a school

Opportunity to stay on top of advances in education

Earn Your Online Master’s in Humanities Education

When you work toward your master’s degree in secondary humanities education at GCU, you can complete your coursework online from almost anywhere while still meeting the obligations of your current teaching role. The online classes are taught by instructors who are knowledgeable in the field. Working full time and going to school can be challenging, but the flexibility and accessibility of an online program can help you to juggle work and continuing education responsibilities.

This Degree Is Offered Online

Coursework

Coursework Covered in This Humanities Education Master’s Program

In addition to advanced teacher education topics, you will study adolescent development and psychology to plan and create individualized classroom experiences that best meet the needs of your students.

67,100

New jobs estimated to open for high school teachers from 2022 to 2032¹

Careers

Career Paths for MEd in Secondary Humanities Education Graduates

Upon completing this master's degree program, you will have the opportunity to learn the skills and tools needed that can meet qualifications to teach various subjects within the humanities fields. By studying current educational research and modern teaching techniques in this program that focuses on running an engaging classroom, you may be able to pursue postsecondary and secondary education teaching positions.

Accreditation

Complete Your Master's in Education From an Accredited University

For those teachers in Nevada looking for a way through the ARL process, your search is over. By earning your MEd in Secondary Humanities Education degree at GCU, you can remain in the classroom, earn an advanced degree and become eligible for standard licensing. GCU holds institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, signifying that it provides quality education recognized and endorsed by its fellow educational institutions.

University Accreditation

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

As you think about your desired career pathway, you may have some questions before you commit to earning a master’s degree. Explore the FAQs and answers, which may help guide your decision-making.

Humanities teachers can cover a diverse range of subjects that focus on the following:

Literature
Language arts
History
Philosophy

Within these subject areas, humanities teachers may also guide students in developing critical thinking skills and curiosity about the world around them.

The major areas of humanities pertain to the study of human culture and societies.

These areas include:²

History
Philosophy
Religion
Language arts (including literature)
Foreign languages

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer specific details for a humanities teacher, the BLS does state that, about 67,100 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade (from 2022 to 2032).¹ Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.¹

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major44 credits

Degree Requirements44 credits

Core Courses

SEC-502

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates will survey the philosophical, historical, and sociological influences upon which secondary educational theories and practices are constructed and explore a variety of the common issues, trends, and opportunities that professional educators encounter in the field. Emphasis is placed on deepening understanding of personal biases and accessing resources to promote ethical practice, build strong relationships, and uphold the expectations of the profession. Candidates will prepare for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University by developing and strengthening the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.

EDU-526

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, candidates explore how issues related to family relationships and community environments influence classroom dynamics. Emphasis is placed on promoting an equal partnership between families and schools to make collaborative decisions that support student learning outcomes and school policies, practices, and programs. Candidates explore how to create a welcoming classroom and school atmosphere where families feel valued, connected to the school staff, and engaged in the education of their children. Candidates also investigate strategies for collaborating with community resources that can assist families and schools to foster a healthy home and school connection. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.

SPD-500

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance not required.

POS-500

3 Total Credits

SEC-506

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates will survey how early adolescents and adolescents grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical areas. This survey of the seminal concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the development of adolescents will allow candidates to build foundational knowledge for constructing learning opportunities that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation. Emphasis is placed on creating a collaborative environment to enhance student learning and well-being. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-502.

SEC-510

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to allow the teacher candidate the opportunity to learn techniques involved in the successful engagement and management of a learning environment. Major emphasis is placed to the establishment of a realistic discipline plan to manage student behavior, as well as engagement and management techniques and strategies to maximize instructional time, classroom procedures, and physical space. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-501 or SEC-502 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach, Secondary Education.

SEC-516

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates will investigate multiple methods of assessment that support student engagement, monitor student progress, and guide decision-making, specifically to Humanities classrooms. Candidates will build foundational knowledge regarding formal and informal assessment strategies for planning, evaluating, and strengthening instruction to promote continuous intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of each student. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.

SEC-525

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to foster application of proven teaching and learning methodologies for both instructor and student in order to make appropriate and data-driven decisions about all aspects of teaching. Major emphasis is focused on planning instructional objectives and lessons, assessing objectives, and developing teaching methodology that encourages problem solving, active participation, and assessment. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-515 or SEC-516 or SEC-517.

SEC-540

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to develop a broad range of research-based reading methodologies to enhance the learning strategies of middle and secondary school students. Major emphasis is placed on the use of reading strategies for culturally and socially diverse classrooms, including the use of literacy-based instruction in all content areas and understanding, evaluating, and promoting effective pedagogy in adolescent literacy. The development and use of integrated and thematic approaches of instruction are addressed. Teacher candidates are expected to observe and assist in a grade 5-12 classroom while taking this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

SEC-530

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates examine a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of the major concepts contained within Social Studies, English Language Arts, and the Arts through modes of inquiry from the integrated study of history, geography, the social sciences, reading, writing, oral language, and their influences that build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. Teacher candidates integrate instructional content, academic functions, formative and summative assessments, media and technology to engage learning. Teacher candidates apply their foundational knowledge of reading, language, and child development to teach reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, and comprehension skills to middle and high school students. Candidates also help these students successfully apply their developing skills to different situations, materials, and ideas. Practicum/field experience hours: 11. Fingerprint clearance required.

ESL-545

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs and approaches for teaching English learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement as they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards-based instruction for English learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

SEC-581

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Various orientations to curriculum development and assessment are investigated and elements of model curricula are examined specific to the areas of Humanities. Emphasis is placed on understanding current structures and trends in middle and high schools, as well as critical issues, as these relate to curriculum and assessment. Course content is strategically planned to enable participants to make informed curriculum decisions in Humanities classrooms to meet the needs of a diverse student population. Also emphasized is the alignment of educational objectives to standards and building both formative and summative assessments, including rubrics to analyze student learning. This course focuses on the principles and practices involved in curriculum design for Humanities classrooms. Teacher candidates develop their own curriculum unit. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.

SEC-590

8 Total Credits

Course Description

Teacher candidates are engaged in the student teaching experience that includes practical classroom experiences, research, analysis, and teaching to develop a Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP). The teacher candidate will have a GCU course instructor, a GCU faculty supervisor, and be placed in an approved school with a certified cooperating teacher/mentor. Fingerprint clearance required.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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If you would like the opportunity to inspire the next generation of young learners as a humanities teacher, apply for enrollment in GCU’s online master’s in secondary humanities education program.

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If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).

¹ COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers, retrieved on Oct. 3, 2023.

² Humanities in Action (n.d.). What Are the Humanities? Retrieved on Aug. 3, 2023.