Secondary Education
Ready to inspire the next generation of thinkers and doers and be an agent of change in schools? Make it a reality with an M.A.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, with a concentration in Secondary Education. Our program focuses on integrating theory, research and practice so that in one year, you’ll be ready to step into the classroom with the knowledge, skills and strategies to confidently teach diverse student populations. Get ready to unlock your potential—and that of your students.
This program is designed as a full-time, 12-month (summer, fall, spring) program in which students complete all requirements as a cohort. This model provides for an intense and rewarding experience and creates a strong network of support among students, faculty, cooperating teachers and university supervisors.
Concentrations
Requirements
Graduate students in Secondary Education complete a 44-semester hour program that includes educational foundations course work, methods courses, and student teaching experiences.
Field Experiences
Clinical experiences are a complement to and an integral component of the teacher preparation program in the School of Education. Throughout the program, pre-service teachers have experiences in a variety of settings and with diverse populations at our partnering public schools. These experiences serve as a bridge between the knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed through formal course work and the practical application of those professional attributes as a teacher candidate and, subsequently, as a classroom teacher.
In the fall, secondary education candidates complete a minimum of 60 hours in the field, practicing their teaching skills, interacting with students, reflecting on the experiences, and learning about the ecosystem of schools. These field activities prepare candidates for their culminating field experience — student teaching. The 15-week, immersive student teaching experience takes place in the spring and is a critical component of our candidates’ preparation and development as a teacher.
Licensure Requirements
Students who successfully complete our Secondary Education programs will be eligible to apply for licensure as a Secondary Education 6-12 teacher in the selected discipline in the state of Virginia. Therefore, programs are designed for students who are not already licensed as educators in Virginia. Learn more about applying for licensure.
Testing Requirements
All teacher candidates must obtain passing scores on the professional teacher assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. At William & Mary, all required licensure tests are also graduation requirements; therefore, the appropriate tests must be completed regardless of a teacher candidate’s decision to apply for a teaching license. Learn more about testing requirements.
Program Contacts
English Education
Lindy Johnson, [[lljohnson,lljohnson@wm.edu]]
Associate Professor
(757) 221-2333
Math & Science Education
Meredith Kier, [[mwkier,mwkier@wm.edu]]
Associate Professor
(757) 221-2332
Social Studies Education
Esther Kim, [[ejkim05,ejkim05@wm.edu]]
Assistant Professor
(757) 221-2348
