The 3+2 Secondary and K-12 Licensure with Master of Arts in Education allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts in a specific content area and a Master of Arts in Education in five years with an emphasis in one the following areas: K-12 Online Teacher Leadership; Reading Leadership; Teacher Leadership. Additional coursework is required to be recommended for a Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement.
To be accepted into the 3+2 Secondary and K-12 Licensure program, each student must:
- Provide letters of recommendation from at least one Education Department faculty member and one faculty member of a core content area department
- Have demonstrated content knowledge by either:
- Completing the requirements for a degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA in the endorsement area sought, or
- Passing the relevant Praxis exam(s) as defined by the Colorado Department of Education
- Be accepted into Western's Teacher Licensure Program
- Successfully complete EDUC 340 Application of Pedagogy and Practice or show proof of registration
- Be on track to complete all coursework required within the academic major
Upon satisfactory completion of these requirements, students will be designated as "MAED candidates with provisional acceptance." Upon completion of the residency year coursework and requirements, students will be designated as "MAED degree seeking students." Students who have completed all other requirements of the 3+2 Secondary or K-12 Education Program and all Western undergraduate requirements, yet choose to leave the MAED program before Year Five, will still have completed the BA in Secondary or K-12 Education, have earned 120 credits necessary for a Western undergraduate degree, and be eligible to apply for initial teacher licensure.
Program Requirements
Students seeking licensure in the 3+2 Secondary and K-12 Licensure Program must complete the requirements of their major, all other University requirements, and the Secondary/K-12 Licensure requirements set forth by the Colorado Department of Education. For specific major requirements and degree plans, please see the appropriate discipline's page.
Available majors that can lead to teacher licensure:
Art, English, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Exercise and Sports Science, Geology, History, Mathematics, Music, Politics and Government, Spanish
The Secondary and K-12 Licensure Program requires 30 credits of Education coursework:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 000 | Education Gateway Course | 0 |
| EDUC 340 | Application of Pedagogy and Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Secondary and K-12 Licensure Coursework to be taken year 4 of 3+ 2 Secondary and K-12 Education MAED Program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 403 | INSTRTN&ASMT IN CONTENT AREA | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Data-driven Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDUC 604 | Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 606 | Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 607 | Rethinking Learning in the 21st Century | 3 |
| EDUC 624 | Managing to Differentiate | 3 |
| EDUC 629 | Inclusion and English Learners | 3 |
| Six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| One class taken twice: | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching | ||
or EDUC 610 | K-12 Student Teaching | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
The residency for Secondary or K-12 Licensure must be completed in a classroom that corresponds with the grade level and endorsement area sought. Students are expected to work cooperatively 24 hours per week with qualified mentor teachers. During this year-long clinical residency, students are applying and extending the pedagogical knowledge they are learning in their education courses. The Secondary and K-12 licensure coursework and the post-licensure coursework are taught online
5th year Post-Licensure Coursework:
Once accepted to the 3+2 Secondary or K-12 Licensure MAED Program, students must declare their MA emphasis and the School of Graduate Studies will designate the student as a "MAED degree-seeking student." Students in the Elementary, Secondary, or K-12 Licensure 3+2 Program may choose an MA emphasis in K-12 Online Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Reading Leadership or endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education.
All Secondary and K-12 Licensure 3+2 students will be required to take 3-6 credits of 600 level education electives. The only exception is Master of Arts in Education with Endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education which has a pre-determined 22 credit course series.
Education Coursework to be taken year 5 of 3 + 2 Secondary K-12 MAED Program:
Master of Arts in Education with emphasis in K-12 Online Teacher Leadership
K-12 Online Teacher Leadership is defined as the work of an individual (an online-teacher leader) teaching online in a virtual school and/or in a blended K-12 learning environment (a) who knows federal and state policies related to online and blended teaching and learning; has advanced knowledge of the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality online teaching and instructional design and (b) who can work effectively with other online or blended instructional staff to meet the targeted learning needs of all students. The K-12 online teacher leader provides professional guidance and expertise to virtual or brick and mortar schools on effective curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs in relation to online and blended learning.
To earn the MA in Education with emphasis in K-12 Online Teacher Leadership, the candidate must successfully complete 43 graduate credits of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience. Successful completion of the K-12 Online Teacher Leadership emphasis will result in earning the MA degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 621 | Creating Effective Online & Blended Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 622 | Using Data to Plan for Online & Blended Learning and Targeted Interventions | 3 |
| EDUC 623 | Designing and Delivering Effective Online & Blended Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 680 | Action Research for Educational Leaders | 4 |
| EDUC 693 | Conduct, Reflect, and Present Action Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
In addition to the courses listed above, all Secondary or K-12 Licensure 3+2 students with emphasis in K-12 Online Teacher Leadership will be required to take 6 credits of 600 level Education electives, for a total of 22 credits.
Master of Arts in Education with emphasis in Reading Leadership
Reading Leadership is defined as the work of an individual (a reading leader) situated in a classroom or a school or district-level position who has advanced knowledge of federal and state policies related to literacy; has deep understanding of the development, implementation, and evaluation of scientifically-based reading programs; and can work effectively with other instructional staff to meet the literacy needs of all students. The reading leader provides professional guidance and expertise to classroom teachers, school and/or district literacy curriculum, instruction, and assessment program leaders; and develops and conducts in-service programs related to literacy.
To earn the MA in Education with emphasis in Reading Leadership, the candidate must successfully complete 43 graduate credits of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience. Successful completion of the Reading Leadership emphasis will result in earning the MA degree. To be recommended for a Colorado Department of Education Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement, the candidate must also take one of the following: Reading Teacher Internship or Reading Specialist Internship
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 680 | Action Research for Educational Leaders | 4 |
| EDUC 684 | Materials and Motivation for Reading | 2 |
| EDUC 685 | Assessing, Evaluating, and Instructing At-risk and Struggling Readers | 3 |
| EDUC 686 | Student-Focused Coaching and Mentoring | 3 |
| EDUC 687 | School-Wide Comprehensive Literacy Program Development | 3 |
| EDUC 693 | Conduct, Reflect, and Present Action Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Optional Coursework for Reading Specialist Endorsement:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 689 | Reading Specialist Internship | 3 |
For candidates not pursuing the Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement, 6 credits of 600 level education electives must be completed, for a total of 22 credits.
Master of Arts in Education with emphasis in Teacher Leadership
Teacher Leadership is defined as the work of an individual (a teacher-leader) within a school who is regarded as an excellent educator; is well respected by peers; is recognized for his or her leadership capacity; holds a lifelong learning orientation; and has been identified to facilitate, advocate, and advance school reform and improvement of student learning. The work of a Teacher Leader is typically carried out through informal and formal venues and processes; for example, with teachers in their classrooms, district-level task forces, committee, and/or membership in district-level professional development projects. To earn the MA in Education with emphasis in Teacher Leadership, the candidate must successfully complete 43 graduate credits of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience. Successful completion of the Teacher Leadership emphasis will result in earning the MA degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 632 | Overview of Special Services | 3 |
| EDUC 669 | Formal and Informal Methods of Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC 680 | Action Research for Educational Leaders | 4 |
| EDUC 681 | Instructional Program Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 682 | Shaping School Culture | 3 |
| EDUC 693 | Conduct, Reflect, and Present Action Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
In addition to the courses listed above, all Secondary or K-12 Licensure 3+2 students with emphasis in Teacher Leadership will be required to take 3 credits of 600 level Education electives, for a total of 22 credits.
*EDUC 697 may only be taken upon instructor approval. Students interested in EDUC 697 must consult with the graduate advisor prior to enrolling in this course. Master of Arts in Education with Endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) teaching is defined as the work of an individual (a CLD Interventionist or CLD Teacher Leader) who serves as a liaison between various constituents accountable for meeting the needs of CLD learners in the school and community settings. This individual is aware of state, national, and local cultural norms, legalities, and policies that impact student learning and the acquisition of English language proficiency. The CLD teacher has the ability to guide and support stakeholders associated with serving CLD learners to sustain high levels of productivity, collaboration, and achievement. To earn the 3+2 MA in Education with an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, the candidate must successfully complete 43 graduate credits of education coursework in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience. The candidate must be a licensed teacher and will be eligible to add a CLD endorsement at the conclusion of the following sequence of MA coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 616 | Language Acquisition for Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| EDUC 617 | Linguistically Diverse Student Literacies | 3 |
| EDUC 618 | Linguistically Diverse Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 680 | Action Research for Educational Leaders | 4 |
| EDUC 693 | Conduct, Reflect, and Present Action Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
In addition to the courses listed above, 3+2 candidates must take 6 credits of 600-level education electives.