Online Master’s in Secondary Education Degree (NITL)
Online Master’s in Secondary Education Degree (NITL)
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The Master of Education in Secondary Education non-licensure (NITL) program at Grand Canyon University is designed for professionals who have a current teaching license and are interested in teaching students in grades 6–12. This program combines coursework with observational and practice-based learning experiences while maximizing the content knowledge you already possess. If you enjoy planning instruction, working collaboratively with peers and creating engaging learning opportunities for students, a master’s in secondary education online degree may be right for you.
The graduate-level coursework within this program is focused on strategies that fit within the modern classroom to help prepare you to serve students in a variety of learning environments. Critical thinkers with an interest in leadership and building students’ futures are great candidates for this major.
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 (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
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).
As a graduate of this master’s program, you may find work as a secondary education teacher, which may require specific skills and responsibilities.
These may include:
Educating learners in grades 6–12
Directing educational programs
Developing curriculum
Offering after-school tutoring
Performing principal and administration duties
Providing educational resources to those with learning differences and challenges
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).
You may find educating young minds to be a rewarding and honorable profession. If you nurture a love of learning and embrace a strong desire to help others reach their full potential, this degree can help you prepare for a career teaching in secondary education settings.
GCU’s online learning platform offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to pursue your degree while balancing personal and professional commitments. With interactive coursework, access to knowledgeable faculty and a collaborative online community, you can engage in learning experiences from anywhere with internet.
This master's degree is designed for those who already hold a current teaching license; therefore, it does not contain the in-classroom teaching experience necessary to obtain licensure. As a student in this program, you will, instead, complete 100 hours of observational and practice-oriented field experiences. These experiences are designed to help equip you with skills in leadership, instructional technology and research.
What does it mean to major in the secondary education NITL program?
A degree in secondary education (non-licensure) allows teachers who already hold a degree and a state teaching certificate to teach in various school districts (public private, charter, international, etc.) in their chosen content area. Educators who hold a degree without a license cannot teach in traditional public schools. If you are seeking a program that leads to licensure, our MEd in Secondary Education (ITL) program can help you prepare to pursue teaching requirements for many educational schools at the 6–12 grade level.
Teaching middle and high school students often requires innovative instructional teaching strategies, adaptability and a commitment to fostering student growth. The MEd in Secondary Education program can help equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to create welcoming and engaging learning experiences with confidence and expertise.
Through this program, you will develop the ability to:
If you’re an educator looking to earn your online secondary education degree, you can find answers to many of your questions here.
This master's in secondary education online helps to prepare licensed educators with the knowledge and skills to teach grades 6–12 or explore advanced career opportunities within education. This non-licensure degree is ideal for students who already have an undergraduate degree in education and aspire to further transform their careers and classrooms.
If you are new to education and seeking licensure, our MEd in Secondary Education (ITL) program is designed to help you meet teaching requirements for grades 6-12 and take the next steps toward becoming a licensed educator.
Secondary education is the learning that takes place between elementary school and college, usually in grades 6–12. Secondary education typically offers general, technical, vocational or college-preparatory courses. MEd in Secondary Education graduates strive to prepare their students for their professional future.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 41,400 new jobs are estimated to open each year on average for middle school teachers from 2023 to 2033,1 and an estimated 64,000 new jobs for high school teachers each year during the same timeframe.2 Earning an education master’s degree can help prepare you to guide young learners in finding their own purpose, which you may find to be a rewarding experience.
The qualifications of secondary education teachers may vary depending on the state in which you will be teaching. According to the BLS, to teach middle and secondary school students, you will need the following qualifications:3,4
Secondary school teaching is more focused on particular subjects, so primary school teachers may be able to become secondary school teachers by becoming subject-matter experts. However, if your bachelor's degree is in elementary education, you may need this degree to qualify for secondary-level teaching. Depending on their needs, schools may welcome your primary teaching experience if they have students who are behind their peers and may benefit from a more primary approach.
Engaging students effectively requires creative approaches that make learning interactive and meaningful. This program explores research-based methods to help increase participation, encourage critical thinking, adapt lessons to different learning needs and create effective learning environments that foster student engagement.
This MEd in Secondary Education can help you prepare to become an effective educator with a strong understanding of individual learning styles, diverse student growth patterns and early adolescent development.
You will study ways to support student learning opportunities, such as:
As you complete your courses, you will investigate multiple methods of assessment that support student engagement, monitor student progress and guide instructional decision-making.
This includes:
This master’s in secondary education online program will examine the fundamentals of legal, historical and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI), as well as skills to support students with mild to moderate exceptionalities.
You will study:
This program can help you examine your role in the classroom, school and community as a leader and advocate for all participants. While promoting system change, emphasis is placed on actively participating in collaborative communities and developing a growth mindset.
The Master of Education in Secondary Education can help equip you to lead middle and high school students. Take the next step in your teaching journey today!
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 and is proud to prioritize quality education and comprehensive instruction. This program directly aligns with standards from the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and the International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE). The College of Education shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
