Department of Health, Physical, and Secondary Education

The Department of Health, Physical, and Secondary Education is committed to educating and preparing individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels for professions in the field of education, research, service, community health and sport management. The principal goal of the Department of Health, Physical, and Secondary Education is to provide a quality education for prospective facilitators of learning in middle grades, secondary, health/physical education, and special education. In keeping with this principal goal, the department offers programs leading to the Master of Education degrees in Middle Grades (6-9), Special Education (K-12) and Secondary Education (9-12) and the Master of Arts in Teaching degrees in Middle Grades (6-9), Secondary Education (9-12) and Special Education: General Curriculum. Students seeking a master’s degree in middle grades education must select an area of concentration from language arts, mathematics, or science. The department is committed to providing academic quality in educator preparation and support services leading to candidate degree attainment and skill development in the areas of: (a) teaching academic content using current technology, (b) developing content connections within diverse learning environments, (c) reflecting on teacher beliefs and assumptions, and (d) engaging in continuous professional development. The department is further committed to strengthening faculty involvement in research, professional development and community engagement to enhance candidate and P-12 student outcomes and teacher quality in response to 21st Century, southeastern region of North Carolina communities and global expectations.

Students seeking a master’s degree in secondary education must select an area of concentration from biology, mathematics, and sociology. Students seeking the M.Ed. in Special Education may choose one of the following three specialty areas: specific learning disabilities, mental disabilities, and/or behavioral-emotional disabilities. Each of the programs requires a minimum of thirty-six (36-45) semester hours of study. In addition, a Class A level licensure program is available in Middle Grades Education, Special Education: General Curriculum, Health/Physical Education, and Secondary Education.

Suspension of Programs

At this time, the College of Education is suspending graduate admissions to the M.Ed. and M.A.T. in Secondary Education.

Candidates for the initial teaching license (Bachelor of Science [B.S.] degree, non-degree Licensure Only programs, and Master of Arts in Teaching [M.A.T.] degree) will complete a Leadership Family/ Community Collaboration Project and edTPA during the clinical experience semester. In addition, clinical experience candidates must also achieve a rating of “Met” on all parts of the final Certification of Teaching Capacity form.

Candidates for the Master of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching degree (M.Ed. and M.A.T.) will complete an Advanced Leadership and Collaboration Project evidence to demonstrate their competence in the North Carolina Graduate Standards and Indicators during their respective culminating course (EDUC 698   or SPED 698 ). In addition, candidates for the M.Ed. in Special Education must also complete the Problem Based Learning Product evidence during their initial field experience related to the Advanced Licensure Standards/Indicators in their respective Special Education specialty area (Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, or Emotional Disabilities). Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of Proficient (score of 3.0) on each indicator of the scoring rubric(s) to receive course credit and recommendation for advanced licensure.

Learning Outcomes

Health, Physical, and Secondary Education

1. The candidates will possess in-depth content knowledge to enhance 21st century skills in the specialty area that they teach.
2. The candidates will know how to implement pedagogical strategies based on the Common Core State Standards, NC Essential Standards and CAEP.
3. The candidates will design, implement and report research projects conducted in their classroom/school which integrates research with teaching and service.
4. The candidates will utilize technology to enhance instruction, learning, research, assessment and data management.
5. The candidates will promote an educational culture that values reflective practice.
6. The candidates will demonstrate the value of diversity and promote instruction that is responsive to all learner needs.
7. The candidates will demonstrate leadership skills to advocate for students, communities, policies and practices that support student learning and development.

Programs

• K-12 Special Subjects, Health and Physical Education, Spanish, Music, or Art Specialty Area, M.A.T.
• Secondary Education 9-12, Mathematics, Science, English Language Arts, or Social Studies Specialty Area, M.A.T.
• Secondary Education, Biology Specialty Area, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, Mathematics Specialty Area, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, Sociology Specialty Area, M.Ed.

• Licensure in Art Education
• Licensure in Health and Physical Education
• Licensure in Music Education (K-12)
• Licensure in Secondary Education 9-12, Biology Specialty Area
• Licensure in Secondary Education 9-12, English Specialty Area
• Licensure in Secondary Education 9-12, Mathematics Specialty Area
• Licensure in Spanish Education (K-12)