Master of Education (M.Ed./M.A.T./M.S.T./C.A.E.S) in Secondary Education

Master of Education (M.Ed./M.A.T./M.S.T./C.A.E.S) in Secondary Education

In our Secondary Education master's program, you can choose the degree that is right for your professional satisfaction and personal growth. Our master of education (M.Ed.), master of arts in teaching (M.A.T), and master of science in teaching (M.S.T) programs each have the coursework and school-based practicum experiences to help you develop the skills you will need in your teaching practice. All have the same academic foundation and will lead to grades 8–12 licensure in STEM or 5-12 licensure in humanities (i.e., English and History).

If you have an academic background in your area of interest, the M.Ed. may be right for you. The M.A.T. and M.S.T. include additional content area electives, offering you the opportunity to enrich your background in a specific content area. 

At a Glance

How many courses?


M.Ed. students take 9 courses and a 4-course practicum (37 credits total).

M.A.T. and M.S.T. students take 12 courses and a 4-course practicum (46 credits total).

How long will it take?
 

Full-time students typically complete the program in 1 academic year with 2 summer sessions.

Part-time students typically complete the program in 2–3 years, depending on course load.

When can I start?


You can begin any of the programs in the spring, summer, or fall semesters.

What I want my students to understand is that teaching is a critical and vital way to serve and value human dignity and justice. That’s the core of teaching, and teacher training.
Dr. Lillie Albert, Professor

Curriculum

Each of the three Secondary Education master's degree programs lead to grades 8–12 licensure in STEM or grades 5-12 licensure in Humanities (i.e., English and History) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in one of the following fields: Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, or Physics.

 

Each also includes coursework in teaching methods, examining broad social features linked to formal education, content area electives, and school-based practicum courses with related Inquiry Seminars. Practicum experiences offer you opportunities to collaborate with fellow master’s students around issues of teaching and learning at practicum sites. To bolster your experience with English language learners in the classroom, you have the opportunity to obtain a Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) Certificate.

Requirements


  • Courses: 9 or 12
  • Practicum Courses: 4
  • Credits: 37 or 46
  • Comprehensive Exam

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The 37-credit program is recommend for all students—regardless of licensure discipline—if you have a background in their content area. E.g., it was your undergraduate major. M.Ed. licensure areas include Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, and Physics.

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

This 46-credit program is for students seeking teacher licensure in history, English, or a foreign language who need to develop content area expertise in their licensure discipline. The M.A.T. is recommended because it has three more additional content area electives than the M.Ed. M.A.T. licensure areas include English, or History.

M.S.T.

The 46-credit program is for students seeking teacher licensure in the sciences or mathematics who need to develop content area expertise in their licensure discipline. The M.S.T. is recommended since it has three more additional content area electives than the M.Ed. M.S.T. licensure areas include Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

Student Teaching

Professional experiences comprise early field experiences, referred to as pre-practicum placements, and an immersive, semester-long full practicum experience.

Pre-practicum

Graduate students complete a pre-practicum experience, which consists of one school day per week for 10 weeks. 

Full Practicum

Full-practicum Experience is five days each week in the classroom for the entire semester. 


Support


You are guided by a qualified school-based mentor and a university-based mentor

Licensure


Designed to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) requirements for endorsement from Boston College, leading to licensure.

Variety of Settings


Experience a range of urban and suburban public, private, parochial, and charter schools in Greater Boston

Accreditation

We are an approved teacher preparation program by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Upon successful completion of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development's educator preparation program, students earn endorsement from Boston College for licensure in Massachusetts. For more information about educator licensure, including if you are seeking licensure in another state, please visit the Licensure Disclosure Page.

Faculty

Financial Aid

Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $11.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable. 

Careers

Roles

  • Assistant Principal of Academics
  • Fourth Grade Teacher
  • Sixth Grade Teacher
  • High School History Teacher
  • Director of Exhibits
  • Court Procedures Attorney
  • First Grade Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Mathematics Instructor
  • School Principal & ELL Coordinator

Organizations

  • St. John's Preparatory School
  • Littleton Public Schools
  • Papillion La Vista School District
  • Concord-Carlisle Regional School District
  • Museum of Science
  • Goodwin Procter LLP
  • Boston Public Schools
  • Needham Public Schools
  • Steppingstone Foundation
  • North Attleborough Public Schools

Apply

Apply

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Application & Deadlines

Apply Now

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.

Deadlines

Spring 2024

Priority Deadline - November 1
Rolling Admission - Until Dec 1

Summer 2024

Priority Deadline - January 4
Rolling Admission - Until April 5 

Fall 2024

Priority Deadline - January 4
Rolling Admission - Until July 15

 

Résumé

To be uploaded to your online application.

In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online application.

In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one preferably coming from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required.

Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.

Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218. 

Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.

Writing Sample

Not required.

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.

Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.

Requirements for International Students

Contact Us

  gsoe@bc.edu
  617-552-4214