Program Mission & Philosophy
"The mission of the College of Education at ETSU is to prepare knowledgeable, competent, ethical, and caring educators who are committed to excellence in their professional pursuits." The graduate faculty of the M.Ed. Secondary Education program embraces the College Mission Statement's goal of "assisting our students in acquiring and applying knowledge of people, methodology and subject matter for competent professional practice."

The Masters of Education in Secondary Education develops advanced knowledge and skills in order to develop action-researchers, change agents, life-long learners, disseminators of knowledge, producers of knowledge, users of current and emerging technologies, and multicultural practitioners. Inherent in these broad attitudes, values and commitments are dimensions of leadership, general knowledge, content knowledge, professional knowledge, diversity, collaboration, reflective practice, lifelong learning, caring, and critical thinking.

In order to enhance the philosophy, goals and support the Mission of the M.Ed. Secondary Education program, the candidates, as accomplished practitioners, will:

  • commit to students and their learning by (1) recognizing differences among students and adjusting their practice accordingly; (2) taking into account how children develop when planning learning activities; and, (3) fostering students' self-esteem, civic responsibility, and respect for one another.
  • understand how knowledge in their subjects is created, organized, linked to other disciplines, and used in the real world by (1) using a repertoire of effective teaching methods to convey a subject to students and (2) helping students learn by having them solve problems and make their own discoveries.
  • manage and monitor student learning by (1) modifying their teaching methods and classroom environment to meet students' needs, and try new approaches when others fail; (2) knowing how and when to get students, colleagues, and classroom volunteers to assist them; (3) using varied assessment methods to evaluate individual students as well as the entire class; and (4) clearly explaining performance to parents.
  • think systematically about their practice and learn from experience by (1) becoming lifelong learners who regularly seek advice from colleagues and others to strengthen their practice; (2) drawing upon education research-as well as their own classroom experience--to improve teaching; (3) being enthusiastic for and committed to continued learning providing a compelling model for their students.
  • reach beyond the classroom to work creatively and collaboratively with colleagues, parents and the community by (1) striving, with colleagues, to improve school-wide curriculum and instruction and bolstering the teaching of the entire faculty; (2) working, with parents, to promote student growth; and (3) taking advantage, in the community, of resources to enrich and supplement student learning.


Admission Criteria
Program Requirements
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