Teaching English in Secondary Schools (TESS) (MA)

Master of Arts

Elevate your teaching career with an online program designed specifically for middle and high school teachers. 
  • Next cohort begins: August 2024
  • Apply Now! Applications received by April 15 will receive priority consideration.

UNI alumni are eligible for a $2,000 Panther Alumni Continuing Education Scholarship for Teachers -- complete the application today!

Teaching English in Secondary Schools MA

Features

Primarily Online | 30 Credits | 2.5 Years
  • Designed primarily for Iowa middle-level and secondary teachers
  • Delivered on a cohort basis and completed in eight consecutive semesters (3-6 hours of credit each semester)
  • Program coursework and instruction areas include English education pedagogy, writing practice and pedagogy, literature study, including close examination of the range of literature read by adolescents, and classroom research strategies/methodologies

Here to Help

As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Enrollment Contact and Program Coordinator to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more.

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Karen Tracey

Program Coordinator

Associate Professor, Languages & Literatures
karen.tracey@uni.edu
319-273-5965

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Carolina Wilson

Enrollment Contact

carolina.wilson@uni.edu
319-273-2121

Request Information





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Delivered Primarily Online

Fall and spring courses are offered online on Wednesday nights using the Blackboard learning management system and Zoom video conferencing sessions. These platforms allow students to enhance their learning experience with face-to-face interaction, while building a sense of community with classmates. The summer session typically requires one week of in-person instruction on the UNI campus. 

Smiling student with laptop looking at camera
Our graduates are prepared to:
  • Teach dual enrollment and community college English classes
  • Assume teacher leadership roles
  • Align curriculum and classroom practices to best practices in the field of English language arts
Smiling graduate hugging someone at graduation ceremony
Individualized Support Services

Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:

  • Personalized academic advising
  • Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
  • Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
  • Access to student accessibility services and staff
  • Technical support assistance
Smiling students sitting outside with staff member
Delivered Primarily Online

Fall and spring courses are offered online on Wednesday nights using the Blackboard learning management system and Zoom video conferencing sessions. These platforms allow students to enhance their learning experience with face-to-face interaction, while building a sense of community with classmates. The summer session typically requires one week of in-person instruction on the UNI campus. 

Smiling student with laptop looking at camera
Our graduates are prepared to:
  • Teach dual enrollment and community college English classes
  • Assume teacher leadership roles
  • Align curriculum and classroom practices to best practices in the field of English language arts
Smiling graduate hugging someone at graduation ceremony
Individualized Support Services

Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:

  • Personalized academic advising
  • Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
  • Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
  • Access to student accessibility services and staff
  • Technical support assistance
Smiling students sitting outside with staff member

 To be admitted, students must have:

  • state licensure to teach
  • undergraduate coursework in areas such as Advanced Writing or Teaching of Writing, American Literature, Modern or Ethnic Literature, Young Adult Literature and Teaching of English
  • completed application checklist items:
    • applicant statement addressing professional background, motivations for seeking degree, and career goals
    • writing sample, consisting of an analytic, research, or technical paper of at least seven pages or, if the applicant does not have one available, a piece of writing demonstrating comparable skills.
    • two letters of reference
    • official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions

 

Next Steps


Express Interest

Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information and application deadlines directly to your inbox!


Apply Now

Along with the application, students must submit the required additional application materials listed above.

Applications received by April 15 will receive priority consideration.

 


Scholarships 

Online & Distance Education offers scholarships to UNI teaching alumni who enroll in a degree-seeking graduate program at a distance.

 

Delivery of program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.