MEd or CAGS in Middle/Secondary Education

• Design and manage project-based inquiry experiences that promote critical thinking and are aligned with relevant content-area knowledge.
• Apply research-based instructional practices to enhance curriculum delivery and support effective teaching and learning in middle and secondary school settings.
• Implement reflective practices and develop classroom assessments to guide evidence-based decision-making and support continuous improvement for all learners.
• Analyze, evaluate, and adapt instructional strategies to align with current best practices in teaching and learning.
• Address the diverse needs of all learners equitably by responding to the social and emotional factors that influence student success while creating culturally proficient, safe, and high expectation learning environments.
• Establish and sustain authentic partnerships with families, community members, and organizations to support student learning and socio-emotional development.

• Orientation and all Benchmark Assignments must be completed at the level of proficiency expected for sustained performance and learner engagement in all courses aligned with preparation requirements. 

Required Courses

Foundation Courses  

• EDU5400: The Reflective Practitioner  
• EDU5410: Introduction to Special Education (25 hours fieldwork) Advanced Developmental Reading  

Professional Area Courses 

• PSY5350: Adolescent Psychology  
• EDU6610: Behavior Management  
• EDU6661: Literacy in the Content Areas for Middle & Secondary Schools (25 hours fieldwork) 

Specialty Area Courses 

• EDU6654: Classroom Assessment

Middle and Secondary Methods Courses (select one that corresponds to your license content area)

• EDU6671: Middle & Secondary School Methods in English (25 hours fieldwork) 
• EDU6672: Middle & Secondary School Methods in Math (25 hours fieldwork)  
• EDU6673: Middle & Secondary School Methods in Science (25 hours fieldwork)  
• EDU6676: Middle & Secondary School Methods in History (25 hours fieldwork)  
• EDU6677: Middle & Secondary School Methods in Spanish (25 hours fieldwork)

Licensure Track

• EDU6624: Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Seminar

Choose one as appropriate:

• EDU6859/6860: Practicum in Education I/II: Secondary School
• EDU6869/6870: Practicum in Education I/II: Middle School

Degree Only, Non-Licensure Track

• EDU 6669/6670  Field-Based Research I/II: Middle/Secondary Education

Additional Program Notes

EDU6625 Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course is available to students who have not yet earned the SEI Endorsement.  While the SEI Endorsement is a requirement for licensure as mandated by DESE, it is not a requirement for degree completion nor licensure endorsement.   

Total credits: 30-36  

Licensure Track: 33 credits  

Degree only, Non-licensure Track: 30 credits  

Completion of SEI course accounts for an additional 3 credits  

Please reference the current catalogfor all course descriptions.

General Requirements

The MEd and CAGS offer rolling admissions, accepting applications throughout the year.

General requirements are:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with preference given to applicants whose field of study directly aligns with the specific academic program selected.
• A GPA of 3.0 or better.
• A copy of your current license (if applicable).
• A completed and signed application.
• Official sealed transcript(s) of all previous academic work, undergraduate and graduate.
• Two (2) professional letters of recommendation, including at least one recommendation from a current supervisor.
• Personal goal statement or essay. In approximately 500 words, please respond to these questions:
  • Why are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree in education at AIC?
  • What are your career goals and how will enrolling in this program impact your educational, personal, and professional growth?
• U.S. $50 non-refundable application fee.

Note: In the event a 3.0 GPA is not held, evidence must be submitted with the application that merits further review by the School of Education’s Graduate Admissions Committee. Documented evidence includes (but is not limited to) GRE scores (if applicable), successful completion of the last 30 credits of prior undergraduate coursework (for the MEd program) or the last 15 credits of prior graduate coursework (for the CAGS program), and/or an interview with designated personnel in the program selected.

Depending on the outcome of the interview and review of all other application materials, the individual may be granted full or conditional acceptance into the program.

A $500-per-credit cost prices AIC’s Master of Education programs at a competitive value, tailored to the needs of today’s educators.

Our resources cover all associated costs and how to finance your education.

The closeness and encouragement for which AIC is known extends to the online space, sparking energizing discussions among diverse, driven educators:

• A community of leaders: Gain insights from fellow professionals who’ve spent three to more than 10 years in a school or similar environment. Many of your peers assume informal leadership roles as mentors, curriculum leaders, or committee chairs. 
• Designed for working educators: Once-a-week synchronous online courses and practicum assignments completed from your location easily fit your education around your schedule. You’ll remain in your classroom while observing ways you can foster change in your school.
• Cohort learning: Benefit from regular meetings with a small, familiar group of classmates who are striving toward a similar outcome. In many cases, you’ll interact with professionals who represent districts all over Massachusetts.