Degrees for Education

Middle/Secondary Early Adolescence through Adolescence Education Major
(degree earned respective to major)

For majors in the following areas: biology, broad field science, broad field social studies, chemistry, English language arts, and mathematics.
General education requirements: see General Education section of this catalog. Education majors are required to take specific general education courses to satisfy DPI licensure requirements. Students should refer to their degree audit for specifics.
Academic major: see respective department.
Professional program: EDUC 150, 215, 216, 255, 316, 330, 390, 459, 471, 482; a methods course is required, see School of Education dean
Final degree requirements: see Degree Requirements section of this catalog. Students are permitted to take only six hours of 300 level professional education sequence courses prior to admission to the teacher education program.

Certifiable minors for middle/secondary education majors are available in biology, chemistry, computer information systems, English/language arts, history, mathematics, sociology, Spanish, theatre. See respective departments. Methods and student teaching are part of each minor.

The Department of Middle and Secondary Education enjoys a talented and student-centered faculty. All tenured members of the department have earned their terminal degrees and engage in scholarly activities including presenting at international and national conferences.

This department offers ten undergraduate certification programs and a master’s degree program in Middle and Secondary Education.

Department members participate in a continuous improvement model and consistently make revisions to their programs based on researched best practice. The Junior Block (a block of professional courses taken simultaneously) provides the opportunity for teacher candidates to work collaboratively with exemplary cooperating teachers who have demonstrated excellence in their personal teaching.

As a culminating activity, teacher candidates showcase their portfolios for professors, cooperating teachers, and invited guests.

The Department also provides an Urban Seminar Experience in Philadelphia each year, and selected candidates have the opportunity to enhance their preparation for working with underserved populations of students.

The Department of Exceptional Education offers two options for a program of study at the master’s level: a general option or a certification option. Students choosing the General Option enroll in 15 credits of core requirements and 15 credits that reflect a focus area of study. This program is created in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students choosing the Certification Option must be accepted into one of the Department of Exceptional Education’s Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs as well as the Graduate Program. Certification programs include Early Childhood Education (0-8 yrs), Primary/Middle and Middle/Secondary Education (grades K-9 or 6-12 in the areas of learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and emotional disturbance), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (grades K-12). Up to 15 credits of coursework in the certification program may be applied to the Master’s degree in addition to 15 credits of core requirements.

Under the auspices of the PhD program in Urban Education, the Department offers doctoral level training with a designated specialization in Exceptional Education.

The Teaching Major: Each middle/secondary education student must complete an approved teaching major in one of the following academic areas: art, broad field language arts or social sciences, biology, chemistry, communication, English, German, history, mathematics, music, political science, psychology, Spanish, or theatre.

The Teaching Minor: The student may also complete a teaching minor in one of the following academic areas: biology, chemistry, coaching, communication, English/language arts, German, history, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, Spanish, or theatre.

Franklin Pierce University’s Master of Eduction degree offers several options for those who have a bachelor’s degree and have never taught, as well as for those who are already certified and want to move up in their profession.

Graduates of the Master of Education program at Franklin Piece are prepared to be caring and supportive teachers in a standards-based environment that stresses accountability and excellence. The program is solidly based on “best practices” research that integrates the most current knowledge about technology, state and federal standards, multiple ways of learning, alternative assessment, reflective practice and more.

Students can earn a Master of Education degree or Master of Education degree with certification in the following areas:

Elementary Education (K-8)
Middle / Secondary Education in Biology (7-12), English (5-12) or Social Studies (5-12)
General Special Education with Learning Disabilities (K-12)
General Special Education with Emotional/ Behavioral Disabilities (K-12)
NEW! MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (with an optional Literary focus)

The Department of Middle and Secondary Education enjoys a talented and student-centered faculty. All tenured members of the department have earned their terminal degrees and engage in scholarly activities including presenting at international and national conferences.

This department offers ten undergraduate certification programs and a master’s degree program in Middle and Secondary Education.

Department members participate in a continuous improvement model and consistently make revisions to their programs based on researched best practice. The Junior Block (a block of professional courses taken simultaneously) provides the opportunity for teacher candidates to work collaboratively with exemplary cooperating teachers who have demonstrated excellence in their personal teaching.

As a culminating activity, teacher candidates showcase their portfolios for professors, cooperating teachers, and invited guests.

The Department also provides an Urban Seminar Experience in Philadelphia each year, and selected candidates have the opportunity to enhance their preparation for working with underserved populations of students.

Certification is offered in the following areas :
Early Elementary Education, Grades P-5
Middle School Education, Grades 5-9
Secondary School Education, Grades 8-12
Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD), Grades P-12 Endorsement

MAT Program of Studies- Elementary School Education, Grades P-5
NOTE: Early Elementary, Grades P-5, requires a minimum 36 hours of a liberal studies emphasis to be completed prior to the professional semester. A student may elect to add certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders. This will require additional course work.

MODULE I- Foundations and Tools
Educ. 533- Foundations of Elementary Education
Educ. 612- Advanced Field Placement
Educ. 618- Advanced Child Development

MODULE II- Literacy and Pedagogy
Educ. 534- Literature for Children and Youth
Educ. 535- The Teaching of Reading
Educ. 556- Curriculum Design Methods

MODULE III- Research and Technology
Educ. 600- Research Methodology
Educ. 616- Computer Applications in Education

MODULE IV- Math/Science and Pedagogy
Educ. 642- Teaching Science
Educ. 666- Teaching Mathematics

MODULE V- Professional Semester
Educ. 518- Supervised Student Teaching, Elementary School, Grades P-5
Educ. 519- Supervised Student Teaching, Elementary School, Grades P-5

SPECIAL TOPICAL WORKSHOP- At least annually, participation in a series of topic workshops will be required. These workshops will focus on the fine arts as a complement to and tool
for reinforcing academic content.

MAT Program of Studies- Middle School Education, Grades 5-9
NOTE: Middle School, Grades 5-9, requires 24 hours of specialization in two of the following areas: English/Communications, Mathematics, Science, Social and Behavioral Studies, or Special Education. All necessary coursework in the specialization areas must be completed prior to the Professional Semester.

MODULE I- Foundations of Education
Educ. 502- Foundations of Middle/Secondary Education
Educ. 509- Classroom Management Strategies
Educ. 546- Middle Grades Curriculum
Educ. 612- Advanced Field Placement

MODULE II- Sociocultural Studies in Education
Educ. 547- Parallel Culture Education
Educ. 610- Parents, School & Community

MODULE III- Research and Tools
Educ 600- Research Methodology
Educ 618 -Adv. Child Development
Educ 616 -Computer Application in Education

MODULE IV- Middle/Secondary Pedagogy
Educ. 538- Teaching Social Studies and/or
Educ. 539- Teaching Language Arts
Educ. 545- Reading in the Content
Educ. 642- Teaching Science II and/or
Educ. 666- Teaching Mathematics II

MODULE V- Professional Semester
Educ. 543- Supervised Student Teaching, Middle School Grades 5-9
Educ. 544- Supervised Student Teaching, Middle School Grades 5-9

MAT Program of Studies- Secondary School Education, Grades 8-12
NOTE: Secondary School Education, Grades 8-12, requires thirty-six (36) hours of specialization in one of the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics or Social Studies.
All necessary coursework in the specialization area must be completed prior to the Professional Semester.

MODULE I- Foundations of Education
Educ. 502- Foundations of Middle/Secondary Education
Educ. 509- Classroom Management Strategies
Educ. 566- Curriculum Design/Methods in Secondary Schools
Educ. 612- Advanced Field Placement

MODULE II- Sociocultural Studies in Education
Educ. 547- Parallel Culture Education
Educ. 610- Parents, School & Community

MODULE III- Research and Tools
Educ. 600- Research Methodology
Educ. 618- Adv. Child Development
Educ. 616- Computer Applications in Education

MODULE IV- Secondary Pedagogy
Educ. 545- Reading in the Content
Educ. 548- Teaching Secondary Mathematics or
Educ. 557- Teaching Secondary Social Studies or
Educ. 558- Teaching Secondary English or
Educ. 549- Teaching Secondary Science

MODULE V- Professional Semester
Educ. 541- Supervised Student Teaching: Secondary

Course Requirements

The M.Ed. program consists of nine credit hours of core courses, 12-15 hours of study in a specific track, six to nine hours of electives and three to six hours in a capstone experience. For more information, please see requirements.

Early Childhood Education Track
Elementary Education Track
Middle/Secondary Education Track
Post-Secondary Education Track
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Admission
University & Program Admission

Provisional Admission
Submit completed applications to the Education Department, including
Two Recommendation Letters (download PDF Recommendation form)
Program of Study, completed and signed by you and your advisor
Education Department Application and Statement of Reasons/Goals (download PDF Application form/ PDF Application form for Educational Leadership
Employment Verification (for Educational Leadership only. A letter from your principal or your school’s Human Resources department on letterhead stating your work dates will suffice.)

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a professional degree designed for students seeking advanced preparation in the education professions. Like all education programs in the Seidel School, the Master of Education represents the Mission and Conceptual Framework of all Education programs in the Seidel School. Students may also pursue the Master of Science in Mathematics Education through the Henson School of Science.
Licensure

Currently licensed teachers may gain advanced licensure in the Master of Education: Reading Specialist or the Master of Education: Educational Leadership programs.

Prospective students who are not currently licensed teachers and who wish to achieve initial teacher certification should explore the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or the undergraduate programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education or Secondary/K-12 Education.

Professional Development
The tracks in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle/Secondary Education, Post-Secondary Education, and Teaching and Learning with Technology do not lead to initial teacher certification. These tracks are intended to provide advanced professional development to professional educators already holding licensure.

The middle/secondary education program, offered as a minor, prepares students for certification for grades 6 through 12. Students seeking secondary certification choose the subject (or subjects) they would like to teach in middle or high school. Alverno can prepare students for certification in each of the following areas: biology, broadfield social studies, chemistry, English, history, language arts, mathematics, and broadfield science.

Alverno Faculty
At Alverno, you’ll learn from a faculty that is nationally known for its leadership in education. Alverno’s education faculty members are all experienced teachers with advanced degrees. In addition to their teaching, the department’s professors also provide one-on-one guidance to students in course selection, field placements, student teaching and career options.

Field Experience
An important part of a teacher’s education is her field experience and student teaching. Alverno’s education students spend over 100 hours actively involved in classroom practice throughout the Milwaukee area before their student teaching. Because the Milwaukee area has the largest concentration of schools in Wisconsin, it offers excellent variety in placements for education students. Alverno maintains ties with over 150 schools in the Milwaukee area to provide field experience and student teaching opportunities for its education students. The college also operates an on-campus childcare facility, providing additional placement options for education students.

When you graduate, you’ll have over 600 hours of in-class experience and a thorough preparation in the area you choose. The future in teaching looks bright for Alverno graduates. With an Alverno education, you will be well-prepared to teach in the 21st century.

Sample Curriculum

First Year:
Fine Arts & Humanities
Integrated Communications Seminar
Psychology
Quantitative Strategies
Major Courses

Second Year:
Integrated Field Experiences
Life Span Development
Perspectives on Literature
Foundations of Teaching, Learning, Assessing
Technology and Education
Major Courses
Electives

Third Year:
Integrated Field Experiences
Middle School Teaching
Major Courses
Electives
Intro to the Exceptional Learner

Fourth Year:
Student Teaching
Philosophy of Education
Methods course related to your major and Interdisciplinary Teaching Seminar
Diverse Learners

Quote from Alverno alumna
“I realize, as I look back and as I continue to look ahead, that Alverno has taught me that you never really stop learning. Alverno’s teachers were thorough and patient when addressing issues and my many, many queries/concerns. They shared of themselves unceasingly. They nurtured unselfishly. Learning was made relevant. I find it is a continual, wonderful, exciting, ongoing process.”

Eloise N. Daniels
English Teacher

Your next step
To find out more about Alverno’s secondary education program, contact the Alverno Admissions office. An Admissions Counselor can answer your questions about the program, admissions, credit transfers and financial aid.