Recent Employers
- Ridley School District
- Interboro School District
- The School District of Philadelphia
- Chester Community Charter School
- Widener Partnership Charter School
Master's Degree & Certification
Secondary Education (MEd)
Gain advanced learning experiences suitable for practicing teachers through our secondary education master’s program. Along with professional skills enrichment and development, you can earn certification in eight subjects.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Master's
Certification
Format
Hybrid (Online & On Campus)
Credits
Master's: 30-36
Certification: 30
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Secondary Education MEd & Certification
Our master’s program in secondary education (grades 7–12) provides you with advanced learning experiences suitable for practicing teachers, along with opportunities for professional skills enrichment and development.
Earn your graduate degree with or without teaching certification in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies (History), or Spanish**.
**Spanish certification qualifies students to teach pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Program Options
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Earn grade 7-12 teaching certification in the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies (History), or Spanish.
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Outlook & Outcomes
Why Study Secondary Education at Widener?
Gain the professional skills and preparation to advance your teaching career in 7–12 grades.
Personalized Learning
With a personalized learning approach, our program will help you meet your career goals to become a critical member of the secondary education teaching community.
Instruction for Working Educators
We have hybrid, online, and evening classes—perfect for working professionals. You can also complete the program part-time, enabling you to earn your degree on your own timetable.
Convenient Classes & Online Options
We structure our courses as professional learning communities, so your prior knowledge and work experience are integrated with engaged faculty with secondary education experience. You also work with fellow educators, learning from each other to develop leadership and collaborative skills to be an outstanding grade 7-12 educator.
Clubs & Organizations
Secondary Education majors have the opportunity to join various clubs & organizations across and outside of campus to expand their network, including the Secondary Education Affinity Group, Kappa Delta Pi, and many more.
Our Faculty
"My interests include brain development, literacy development, and applications of technology in research and instruction. My greatest excitement in teaching comes from the way that working with graduate students spills over to my teaching of undergraduates and vice versa."
Recent News
Widener Prepares Student Teachers to Thrive in a Digital Classroom
When COVID-19 forced the closure of K-12 schools in mid-March, Widener student teachers found themselves embarking on a new partnership with Agora Cyber Charter School.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
- Completed online application
- $35 application fee
- Official transcripts from all previous graduate and undergraduate programs
- Two letters of recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, or college professors
- Interview with a faculty advisor
- Personal statement:
- Please describe your experiences as an educational leader, what you hope to gain from advanced studies, and a brief description of your current dissertation research interests
Additional requirements for dissertation completion students:
- Resume or CV
- For your two letters of recommendation:
- At least one letter must be from a faculty member in the student's former program, preferably from the dissertation chair or academic advisor. Letter must indicate that the student was in good academic standing when they left the program.
- Letters must address the student's writing ability, academic ability, and work ethic
- For your official transcripts:
- Include transcripts with master's degree conferral
- Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their former doctoral programs
- Academic writing sample, such as a current draft of the student's dissertation or a paper
- Writing sample must be at least 10 pages long
- Personal statement indicating the following:
- The student's research interests
- The current status of the student's dissertation
- Widener faculty the student is interested in working with as Dissertation Chair
We have rolling admissions, so you may enter the program in any semester.
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Graduate Assistantships
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Program cost for dissertation completion students will be 12-credits minimum at the graduate tuition rate.
Center for Education
-
503 East 13th Street
Chester, PA 19013
- 610-499-4345
Kat LeConey
Assistant Director of Admissions & Enrollment
-
Hyatt Hall, Office #320
- (610) 499-1388
- ksleconey@widener.edu
Patricia A. Newman
Adjunct Professor
-
503 E. 13th Street
Chester, PA 19061
Room 113
- (610) 499-4630
- panewman@widener.edu