MAT Secondary Education (7-12) Program in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science (Chemistry, Physics, and Biology)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education (7-12) is designed to prepare teachers for the nation's secondary school classrooms (grades 7-12).  The program's coursework includes professional education in areas of concentration including English, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) for grades 7-12. The MAT in Secondary Education (Grades 7-12) is designed for college graduates who are seeking Instructional I certification in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upon completion of the program of study, candidates are eligible to apply for certification to teach in grades 7-12 classrooms in a specific content area in Pennsylvania, as well as other states. The School of Education holds national recognition by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). All secondary education programs align with professional standards in the content areas; the standards are addressed during the coursework and field experiences throughout the program. The program prepares leading teachers for secondary education learning environments in grades 7-12. Throughout the program, candidates have the opportunity to develop classroom and professional skills by participating in a holistic approach to teaching using evidence-based teaching methodology. Field and community-based placements that provide the candidates with guided learning experiences are integral to the program. As of Fall 2024, the MAT program in Secondary Education will be a fully online program, with school-based experiences. Paraprofessionals and other working educational professionals are encouraged to apply.

The MAT in Secondary Education is a 39-credit program consisting of courses and field-based experiences. The curriculum meets Pennsylvania standards as well as the standards of national professional organizations. Successful completion of the program results in a Master's of Arts in Teaching and eligibility to apply for initial certification to teach in a secondary (grades 7-12) content area in Pennsylvania.

Mathematics: The Secondary Math Education Program at Duquesne University is nationally recognized by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a specialized professional association. NCTM presents a vision of effective teaching and learning in mathematics (NCTM 2000, 1991), asserting that effective teaching "redirects mathematics instruction from a focus on presenting content through lecture and demonstration to a focus on active participation and involvement." As a teaching candidate in the Graduate Program in Secondary Mathematics, you will explore how to "facilitate learners' construction of their own knowledge of mathematics." The purpose of the program is to engage teaching candidates in developing the fundamental knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching middle school and high school mathematics in ways that promote all students' learning and understanding. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryedFREEDUQUESNE  

English: The Secondary English Education Program at Duquesne University is nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a specialized professional association. NCTE and the International Literacy Association (ILA) have collaborated in the creation of standards for the English language arts to "ensure that all students are offered the opportunities, the encouragement, and the vision to develop the language skills they need to pursue life's goals, including personal enrichment and participation as informed members of our society" (1996). As a teacher candidate in the Graduate Program in Secondary English, you are provided with opportunities to explore issues regarding the theory and practice of teaching English at the secondary level and to engage in teaching adolescents the skills of writing, reading, responding to literature, listening, speaking, and exploring new media while considering student and community contexts. Through a strongly oriented social justice framework, the focus of the program will be to facilitate candidates as more knowledgeable, insightful, creative and compassionate teachers upon entry into the secondary English classroom. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryedFREEDUQUESNE%C2%A0 

Social Studies: The Secondary Social Studies Education Program at Duquesne University is nationally recognized by the National Council for Teachers of Social Studies (NCSS), a specialized professional association. According to the NCSS (1992), "the primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world." As a teaching candidate in the Graduate Program in Secondary Social Studies, you will have the opportunity to develop ideas and practices that support this imperative of democratic citizenship as well as develop the fundamental knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching middle school and high school social studies. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryedFREEDUQUESNE  

Sciences: As part of a reform movement in science, the National Science Education Standards  recommend that science is taught to achieve students' scientific understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity. Classroom practices should give grades 7-12 students opportunities to engage in hands-on, minds-on scientific inquiry and to experience how scientists develop conjectures about the world in justifying assertions and a base from which to reason and model data they encounter in real life. The Graduate Program in Secondary Science provides you with opportunities to develop the knowledge and teaching skills and practices essential in educating students in the science content areas for the 21st century. Contact information: (412) 396-6088 or secondaryedFREEDUQUESNE%C2%A0 

Admission Requirements

Phase 1

Along with the Online Application, the following are required for applying to the program:

  • Transcripts from undergraduate degree in a content area from an accredited college or university.
  • Undergraduate degree must fulfill one of the criteria below:
    • A minimum overall 3.00 GPA (grade point average)
    • A minimum 3.00 GPA on the most recent 48 credits.
  • Provide a one-page letter of intent, describing why you want to become a teacher
  • Provide one letter of recommendation from an academic or professional contacts (no personal contacts)

Please send all application materials to: 

soegradFREEDUQUESNE  

or

School of Education
Office of Graduate Admissions
Duquesne University
214 Canevin Hall
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Phase 2

Once your Phase 1 materials have been received, they will be reviewed by a Graduate Secondary Advisor in your content area. If you meet the minimum program requirements (i.e., GPA and completion of content prerequisites), you will be asked to meet with the Content Area Advisor to review your official transcript to ensure that state requirements for admission have been met and to review the overall program guidelines. In addition, the state requires coursework in Teaching English Language Learners and Special Education. These courses can be taken prior to entering the program or as part of the MAT program in the School of Education.

Deadline for applications: July 1

Additional Information

Prior to the first semester of study, candidates will need to obtain clearances. A list of required clearances can be found on the School of Education's Intranet Clearance page.

Pennsylvania Department of Education Tests

Prior to applying for certification, candidates must pass the required content area Praxis test (ets.org) to earn an Instructional Level I certification. Students are required to take and pass the exam as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education before applying for certification. More information regarding these tests will be given to candidates throughout the program.

For further information please contact the Program Director at (412) 396-6088 or secondaryedFREEDUQUESNE  

Learning Outcomes

For a teaching candidate completing the Secondary Education Certification Programs

  • Exhibits exemplary content knowledge in the subject area of certification.
  • Demonstrates the ability to plan instruction with academic rigor in light of state and national content standards.
  • Utilizes resources from professional organizations specific to the content area and for education in general.
  • Demonstrates the ability to apply, analyze and evaluate a variety of research-based instructional techniques at the secondary level.
  • Implements instruction that: a) supports the development of students' critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills; b) fosters conceptual understanding of the content; c) incorporates worthwhile tasks in the content area; d) utilizes questioning techniques, and e) engages students in discourse appropriate to the discipline. 
  • Plans and implements instruction that attends to and supports learners from diverse backgrounds and academic needs.
  • Demonstrates the ability to design formative and summative assessments of students' understanding, and to use the results of those assessments as the basis of instructional decision-making at the individual and whole-class level.
  • Demonstrates the ability to select and use technology, manipulatives, and other resources in ways that enhance students' learning.
  • Demonstrates the capacity to attend to social equity issues in planning and organizing instruction in high school classrooms.
  • Understands the professional role of a secondary teacher in supporting students' transition from high school to college and/or to the workforce, including ways to work with students, families, and communities in ethical and responsive ways.

Program of Study

  • GSCE 520 Introduction to Teaching, 3 credits
  • GSCE 583 Introduction to Teaching Field (30 hours), 0 credits
  • GSCE 501 Content Area Reading, 3 credits
  • GSCE 502 Content Area Reading Field (30 hours), 3 credits
  • GSCE 522 Educating the Whole Teen, 3 credits
  • GSCE 536 Teaching Middle Level Math (for Math only), 3 credits
  • GSCE 540 Adolescent Literature (for English and SS), 3 credits
  • GSCE 631 Instructional Techniques (all content areas), 3 credits
  • GSCE 632 Instructional Techniques Field (30 hours), 0 credits
  • GSCE 634 Teaching Secondary School Social Studies, 3 credits
  • GSCE 635 Teaching Secondary School Math (for Math and Science), 3 credits
  • GSCE 636 Teaching Secondary School Science, 3 credits
  • GSCE 637 Teaching Secondary School English, 3 credits
  • GSCE 593 Secondary Supervised Field (Math or Science or English or Social Studies) (30 hours), 0 credits
  • GESL 501 Helping ELLs in Mainstream Classroom, 3 credits
  • GFDE 500 Foundations of Assessment, 3 credits
  • GILT 511 Technology in Education, 3 credits
  • GSPE 501 Exploring Inclusive Teaching Supports, 3 credits
  • GSPE 655 Secondary Practices and Transitions, 3 credits
  • GSCE 589 Secondary School Student Teaching (15 weeks), 6 credits
    OR
  • GSCE 591 Secondary School Student Teaching Abroad, 3 credits abroad and 3 credits in the US

Total Program Credits: 39