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Secondary Education, Bachelor's/Master's Combined Program

Accelerate Your Future
  • 9-12

    Program Will Prepare You to Teach High School Students in Grades 9-12

  • 4

    Licensure Areas: English, Social Studies, Mathematics or Science

  • 33

    Credit Hours

program completion feature
program completion feature

Offers

Cohort-model program

Dedicated secondary faculty

Six credits of graduate coursework can count towards both your undergraduate and graduate degree programs

Early field experiences and a year-long internship in a local public high school during the final semesters

High job placement and support beyond graduation

“ A 27-year career in the military gave me a better understanding of history and social studies. With the bachelor's to MAT program, I earned a history degree and master’s in secondary education and began a second career in teaching in just five years. ”
Robert ’20, ’21M
Robert, ’20, ’21M
Secondary Education, Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Program Overview

Two Degrees, More Opportunities

Our combined program in Secondary Education is designed to provide students currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Science, History, English or a related field at UNCW the opportunity to also complete a master’s degree in secondary education within a five year period (including one summer).

How it Works

The key feature of the program is that students take 3-6 credits of graduate coursework that will count for the student’s undergraduate and graduate program.

This program is designed for students currently in the B.A. or B.S. programs in Mathematics, Science, History, English, or a related field at UNCW who have:

  1. Completed a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours in their undergraduate program leading toward a major in mathematics, science, history, English or a related field, including credits earned from advanced placement if they start at UNCW or are transfer students and have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student at UNCW, a minimum of 24 hours.
  2. Completed a minimum of 9 hours of 300-400 level courses in the degree content area at the time of application.
  3. A minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at time of submission of the application to the Graduate School.
  4. Will have completed all the requirements for their undergraduate degree by the end of the spring semester of their senior year.

The MAT cohort begins summer 1, so students must be fully admitted before then.

Watson lecturer with two partnership teachers

University-School Partnerships

WCE brings longstanding partnerships with 12 school districts and 2,000+ teachers in SE North Carolina.

Pathway to Success

Watson graduates have a strong track record of securing jobs and are often highly rated by principals and other employers, with many recognized as leaders in their schools and districts.

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Support Beyond Graduation

The Watson College continues to support new teachers through the First Years of Teaching Support Program, professional development opportunities and on-campus resource libraries. Even after you graduate, we’re here to help you achieve career success and make a meaningful impact on your students.

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Courses

Spring

Table shows sample courses for second spring semester
SEC 511 ESL Concepts for Secondary Teachers
Elective University Content

Summer

Table shows sample courses for second fall semester
SEC 510 Diverse Learners & Special Needs
SEC 520 Instructional Design, Technology, & Leadership

Fall

Table shows sample courses for first fall semester
SEC 500 Student Teaching I in Secondary Schools
SEC 503-7 Advanced Theory & Practice in Teaching Secondary Methods
SEC 528 Secondary School Organization
SEC 515 Assessment & Learning Environments

Spring

Table shows sample courses for first spring semester
SEC 509 Student Teaching II in Secondary Schools
SEC 521 Seminar on Teaching, Learning, & Leadership
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply?

Students currently in the B.A. or B.S. programs in mathematics, science, history, English, or a related field at UNCW who have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours toward their major and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply for the bachelor's/MAT program. Admission to the program is a two-step process.

Fall of Fourth Year – Apply to the Bachelor's/MAT program

Students interested in the bachelor's/MAT program should request permission from the Secondary MAT program coordinator to apply up to 6 hours of graduate-level credit earned during your fourth year towards your future master’s degree in Secondary Education.

During the fall semester, you will take courses in your major, plus any other degree requirements. During the spring semester, you will enroll in 6 hours of graduate credit - including one content course and one Education course (SEC-511) - and complete all courses graduation requirements.

Spring of Fourth Year – Apply to the MAT program

To apply for the MAT program, students submit the standard Graduate School application for the MAT Secondary Education program. This includes:

  • An application for graduate admission.
  • Official copies of transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
  • Three professional recommendations.
  • A letter of interest describing your commitment to the teaching profession, recent experience working with teenagers, and philosophy of teaching and learning.

Final selection for admission is based upon consideration of the academic record, letter of application and recommendations. An interview with a committee of Watson College of Education faculty and public school personnel may also be required.

Concentrations

  • English Specialization
  • Mathematics Specialization
  • Science Specialization
  • Social Studies Specialization

Praxis Subject Tests

It is recommended that you take the Praxis Subject Test prior to applying. A passing score on a discipline-specific Praxis Exam as approved by NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) in the applicant’s concentration area and the pedagogy (PLT) required for teacher licensure. While a successful qualifying Praxis Subject Tests score is NOT required for admission consideration, it is recommended that students take and pass one or more Praxis Subject Tests as required by the state of North Carolina for their certification area(s). The Praxis Subject Test scores are listed below with Test Title, Code(s), and Qualifying Score. The program faculty highly recommend students take the Praxis Subject Tests test prior to admission. The program coordinator will be happy to answer any questions concerning this recommendation.

Table shows the Praxis test students will take.
Subject Test Test Number Qualifying Score
English (Secondary) English Language Arts: Content Knowledge 5038 167
History (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 158
Mathematics (Secondary) Mathematics: Content Knowledge 5165 159
Science (Comprehensive, Secondary General Science: Content Knowledge 5436 141

Program Coordinator

Dr. Dennis Kubasko
kubaskod@uncw.edu 
910.962.7817

Steps for Admission to Combined Programs

  1. Undergraduate Application: If you are not a current UNCW student, submit the appropriate application to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
  2. Communicate: Communicate your interest to participate in the combined program with your undergraduate advisor and the coordinator of the graduate program. This includes reviewing the process to be considered for the combined program and discussing when to apply to the Graduate School.
  3. Combined Program Approval: The graduate coordinator will review your request to participate in the combined program. Approval to apply for the combined program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School.
  4. Junior Year: During your junior year, you will work with your undergraduate advisor and the coordinator of the graduate program to identify which graduate courses you may take as an undergraduate student.
  5. Senior Year: During your senior year, you will work with the graduate program coordinator to obtain approval to take graduate courses as an undergraduate student.
  6. Graduate School Application: UNCW's Graduate School requires that your bachelor's degree be awarded prior to the first day of graduate classes for the term that you begin the master's degree program. Apply to take graduate classes for the term you begin the master's program.
  7. UNCW Graduate School Contact Info: Email gradschool@uncw.edu with questions prior to submitting the graduate application as the application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Student Opportunities

Cohort Model

WCE’s cohort learning model is designed to provide a strong community of support for graduate students pursuing a teaching degree. Whether you’re on campus or online, you will attend classes together, share field experience opportunities, and build close connections with faculty, teachers in the field and other students pursuing a teaching degree.

Classroom Experience

WCE MAT students participate in field experiences throughout the program, and complete a full-time student teaching internship during the final semester. These applied learning opportunities coupled with rigorous academics result in well-rounded, prepared teachers ready to impact the world around them.

International Study

Through our international study abroad programs, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your horizons and gain a global perspective as you both work and study in schools throughout the world.

Student Organizations

Watson Student Leaders and Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society dedicated to scholarship and excellence in education, are just two of the many organizations that give students an opportunity to connect with other pre-service teachers and professionals in the field.

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Watson student helping a middle grades student look through a microscope
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Elementary student lookinig through a viewmaster while a Watson student looks on

For program details see

SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM

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