Secondary Education MEd

About the MEd in Secondary Education at Loyola

The MEd in Secondary Education is a one-year master of education program that will prepare you to teach at the high school level. Whether you've envisioned yourself teaching in Chicago, another big city, or a rural community, you'll have the practical skills and professional values you need to support and influence students at a critical, formative time in their life.

As a long-time partner of Chicago-area schools, Loyola University Chicago offers an immersive curriculum that places you directly in Chicago's classrooms, where you'll get the opportunity to learn from other teachers and make a difference in students' lives right away.

This master's in secondary education is a 36-hour, field-based program that is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE),

Program Structure

The MEd in Secondary Education is a full-time program. Classes are held weekdays on late afternoons and evenings at Loyola's Lakeshore Campus for some courses, and Loyola's Water Tower Campus for others, while some of the courses are also offered online.

Why Choose Loyola for the MEd in Secondary Education?

Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Education faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Secondary Education MEd program.

Loyola Stories

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the Secondary Education MEd program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide Secondary Education MEd learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2023-2024 Catalog

• Secondary Education MEd

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the Secondary Education MEd totals $35640.00, or 36 credit hours at a cost of $990.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

School of Education Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit the School of Education Scholarships page for detailed information about eligible scholarships.

More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

The School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

Upcoming Events

Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Secondary Education MEd are listed below. We encourage you to apply early for priority review. Please note that decisions may take longer during busy periods.

Summer 1
Priority: February 15
General: March 31
Final: May 1

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the Secondary Education MEd include:

• Transcripts

• 1 Letter of Recommendation

• 2.5 Minimum GPA

• 3.0 Minimum GPA

• Resume/CV

• Statement of Purpose

Please note that the Mathematics content area has a 2.5 minimum GPA requirement, whereas all other content areas have a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

The Secondary MEd program has prerequisite requirements for each content area, as outlined below.

English Endorsement
Candidates must have 32 total credit hours at grade C or above in English including the following courses (Loyola University Chicago course equivalents provided in parentheses):

• College Writing (UCWR 110: College Writing Seminar)

• 1 course in Grammar, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or History of English (ENGL 303)

• Adolescent Literature (CIEP 350)

• Shakespeare Studies (ENGL 326)

• Critical Theory (ENGL 354)

• 5 hours of upper division English (300-level or above, not counting courses used to meet other requirements)

• At least 1 course in English literature before 1700: (ENGL 304, 230, 321, 322, 323, 325, 327, 328, 329, or 365)

• At least 1 course in English literature after 1700 but before 1900: (ENGL 305, 330, 333, 335, 338, 343, 375, or 376)

• At least 1 course in English literature since 1900: (ENGL 278, 344, 345, 348, 349, 351, 361, 371 or 377)

• At least 1 course designated as multicultural literature: (ENGL 282, 312, 315, 372, 384)

Mathematics
Candidates must have completed each of the following courses or their equivalent with a C- or better, please note that a transcript analysis will be conducted (Loyola University Chicago course equivalents provided in parentheses):

• Calculus I and II (MATH 161 and 162)

• Multivariable Calculus (MATH 263)

• Linear Algebra (MATH 212)

• Abstract Algebra (MATH 313)

• Number Theory (MATH 201)

• History of Mathematics (MATH 301)

• Combinatorics (MATH 318)

• Mathematical Programming (MATH 215) or Object-Oriented Programming (COMP 170)

• Statistics (STAT 203 or 335)

• Game Theory (MATH 360)

• Euclidean and non-Euclidean Geometry (MATH 344)

Science
This content area is for applicants interested in becoming Biology, Chemistry, or Physics teachers. Candidates must have 32 total credit hours at grade C- or above in the specific content area where licensure is sought. There are specific competencies that must be addressed, including in mathematics, and a transcript analysis will be conducted.

Science and Social Science Subsequent endorsements on Initial teaching PELs

• Initial Science PEL: Can earn additional subsequent Science endorsements with either 12 hours of acceptable coursework OR passed content test

• Initial Social Science: Can earn additional subsequent Social Science endorsements with either 12 hours of acceptable coursework OR passed content test

• All other Initial teaching PELs: Can earn additional subsequent Science or Social Science endorsements with 18 hours of acceptable coursework AND passed content test

All other subsequent endorsements on all Initial teaching PELs

• Most, but not all, other subsequent endorsements can be added with 18 hours of acceptable coursework AND passed content test

Please note that licensure requirements are subject to change. Accepted and enrolled students may consult with the licensure officer to verify current ISBE requirements for subsequent endorsements.

Social Studies
This content area is for applicants interested in becoming social studies teachers. Candidates must have 32 total credit hours at grade C- or above in the social sciences. The social sciences are defined as courses taken in departments of:

• Anthropology

• Economics

• Geography

• History

• Political Science

• Psychology

• Sociology

Candidates must have completed a course in each of the following social science fields (Loyola University Chicago course equivalents provided in parentheses):

• United States History (HIST 103 or 211 or 212)

• Non-United States History (HIST 101 or 102 or 104)

• Political Science (PLSC 101)

• Economics (ECON 201 or 202)

• Geography (ENVS 282 or 283 or ANTH 104)

• Social or Behavioral Sciences (SOCL 101 or ANTH 102 or PSYCH 101)

All secondary candidates must complete the program with a licensure endorsement in history education, even if psychology or political science are the initial endorsement field. To do this, candidates must have at least 12 credit hours in history by the time of certification or have passed the Illinois Licensure Test #246 “Social Science: History” prior to admission.

Statement of Purpose Details

Your statement should be 2-3 pages (double spaced) and describe your academic and professional experience, plans and goals for this program and upon completion of graduate coursework, and your perspective on social justice as it applies to being a high school teacher. Please clearly indicate your content area of choice (Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Physics, or Social Studies). You should also include why you are a good fit for Loyola University Chicago's Teaching, Learning, and Leading with Schools and Communities program.

International Student Requirements

Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.

Additional Details

For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page. There is no fee to apply to graduate programs at Loyola.