Secondary Education

Master’s Degree Program (M.Ed.)

The master’s in secondary education (with postbaccalaureate licensure) combines rigorous coursework and extensive field-based training. It’s also highly flexible. You can complete the secondary education degree face-to-face in a traditional classroom, via distance learning or a combination of both.

Because our graduates are uniquely prepared to teach in the geographic and cultural context of Alaska, they are highly sought after by school districts throughout the state. Many of our students are offered teaching positions even before they graduate. Our dedicated advising team is here to support you from day one, and will help guide you throughout the program.

Requirements for the Master’s Degree in Secondary Education

The secondary education master’s program is designed for students seeking first-time teacher licensure, who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in an approved subject area.

To pursue your master’s degree in secondary education, you must first complete the postbaccalaureate licensure program. You can apply up to 26 credits of the UAF secondary licensure program toward the master’s degree.

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Quick Facts

Degree type:

  • Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Availability:

  • UAF main campus
  • Anchorage
  • Distance and hybrid

Accredited by:

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

 

Why Study Secondary Education at UAF?

Skilled teachers are in high demand across Alaska. This hands-on licensure and master’s degree program will open the door to rewarding, high-paying careers teaching grades 7-12. These are some of the top reasons to choose UAF for your graduate school in education.

Get a year of teaching experience before you start your job

  • A yearlong internship, guided by a mentor teacher, as well as numerous fieldwork experiences are built into the licensure program. Once you get your teaching certification, you can continue working on your master's degree while you are employed in your own classroom.

Earn your master’s degree from anywhere in the state

  • The degree in secondary education at UAF is offered on-site at our main campus in Fairbanks, Alaska, and in Anchorage. The program is also available through distance delivery to all areas of the state, via audio and video conferencing and Blackboard Collaborate.

Gain specialized training for teaching in Alaska

  • Our program integrates resources, knowledge and experiences unique to Alaska, preparing culturally responsive educators who honor the communities they serve. Through your coursework, you’ll have opportunities to work with students from all over the state, from small villages to large cities.

Learn from faculty who are experienced secondary teachers

  • Our faculty are current and former school teachers who bring their real-world knowledge and insights to the coursework. Small class sizes allow for closer supervision and more personal attention.

 

I really appreciate the friendly staff and professors at the school of Education at UAF. I had a lot of questions over the past year and they were very kind and courteous about answering my questions and getting back to me as quickly as they could. Staff were always available for in-person and over-the-phone meetings throughout the semester. Not only were they helpful, but you can tell that the employees and staff at the UAF School of Education genuinely want to see you succeed, and I felt like they had my back the whole way through. I would highly recommend this program to others who are considering to become an educator.Triston Nyquest, Secondary Education program

 

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Secondary Education?

Earning your master’s degree in secondary education is about creating opportunities. It’s a way to develop your professional teaching skills, open the door to new career pathways and boost your earning potential in the process. Our graduates are successful teachers in school districts across Alaska and around the world.

Each state has its own unique requirements for authorization. If you are planning to seek a professional license or certificate in a state other than Alaska, please see the state listings website.

Career outlook for secondary education master’s graduates

Graduates of our secondary education master’s program enjoy an almost 100% job placement rate. Not only are secondary teachers in high demand in Alaska, our School of Education has partnerships with school districts throughout the state that offer diverse professional opportunities for our students. Many of our students find jobs well before they graduate, through the internship and fieldwork experiences that are part of the licensure program.

What grades can you teach with a secondary education degree?

The master’s degree in secondary education at the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Fairbanks prepares you to teach grades 7 through 12.

Secondary education salaries

With an annual mean wage of $77,920, Alaska is one of the top paying states in the nation for secondary school teachers.* With your master’s degree, you will be well positioned for teaching careers at the higher end of the pay scale.

 

What Classes Are Required for the Master’s in Secondary Education?

The secondary education master’s programs explores methodologies for teaching middle and high school students in rural and urban settings, methods for instruction and assessment in secondary content areas, classroom management strategies, research methods and more. As part of the postbaccalaureate licensure, the program also includes a yearlong internship and other field experiences that relate to the coursework.

Programs Related to Secondary Education

 

Get Started on Your Master’s in Secondary Education

Take the next step toward earning your degree in secondary education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We have the resources to help you get started.

Talk to an Advisor

Have questions? We have one of the best advising teams of any graduate school for education in the country. Let us know how we can help.

Transfer to UAF

Transferring to UAF? Contact us to walk through the process and make sure you maximize the credits you’ve already earned.

Apply Now and Request More Information

You can enroll in the master’s in secondary education program throughout the year. Take a few minutes to submit your online application today.