Program Overview

Master of Education Degrees

The Master of Education degree is offered in various curricular areas administered by the following academic divisions: Administrative and Organizational Studies, Teacher Education, and Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations.

Admission

Admission to these programs is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must satisfy program-specific admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

The minimum requirement for a Master's degree is thirty credits, at least twenty-four of which must be taken at the University. Some programs in the College of Education require more than the minimum, in which case those requirements take precedence.

Major Requirements

Major Requirements consist of a minimum of eight credits in the specialization selected by the student, in addition to, and when required, the terminal seminar and thesis, essay, or project. Specific course requirements for the various majors are presented in the respective divisional sections.

Master's Degree Options

Master's Degrees are offered with the following options:

• Plan A A minimum of twenty-two credits in coursework, plus eight credits for the terminal seminar and thesis
• Plan B A minimum of twenty-seven credits in coursework, plus three credits for the terminal seminar and essay or project
• Plan C A total of thirty credits, essay/project or thesis not required

Electives

Electives are those courses recommended outside the major. The purpose of elective courses is to provide breadth to the student's program.

Plan of Work

After consultation with the advisor, the master's applicant prepares a Plan of Work for the program, setting forth the courses that will satisfy the requirements for the degree.

Candidacy

This status is established upon completion by the master's applicant of nine credits toward degree requirements, and after filing an approved Plan of Work with the College Graduate Office.

Time Limitations

Requirements for all master's degrees must be completed within six years after completion of the first course to be applied toward the degree.

Time Extensions

The advisor and student must complete a Request for a Time Extension form and set a terminal date for completion of all degree requirements, including such additional requirements as may be indicated by the Graduate Director to revalidate over-age credits.

Revalidation

Upon the recommendation of the advisor and approval of the Graduate Director, a master's degree student may revalidate over-age credits which are between six and ten years old, and that represent courses completed at the University with grades of 'B' or better.

General Professional Requirement for Master of Education Degrees

The General Professional Requirement is met through completion of the following Fundamental Areas and/or Core Courses in education, performance improvement, health, and human development:

• Philosophical, historical, sociocultural, and political influences
• Impact of ecological factors on human development, health, and well-being across the lifespan
• Research, writing, and innovation

Fundamental Areas

All students in a Master's of Education program must meet the General Professional Requirement through completion of the following Fundamental Areas:

• Philosophical, Historical, Sociocultural, and Political Influences
  • Global/local education as social justice
  • Knowledge of history and systems of discipline area and implications
  • Issues of power and empowerment
  • Perspectives on inclusive society
  • Preparation for serving as an agent of change
• Ecological Perspectives on Development, Health, and Wellbeing
  • Psychology of learning across the lifespan
  • Knowledge of human development, child/adolescent psychology
  • Ecological influences on the quality of life issues
• Research, Writing, and Innovation
  • Methods of evaluation & research
  • Critique of research

Core Courses

In addition to the Fundamental Areas above, the General Professional Requirement is met through completion of professional Core Courses. The student must complete three courses from three different areas chosen from those listed below. Courses within a student's major area cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

• Counseling
  • CED 6700 The Role of the Teacher in Guidance
• Educational Administration
  • EDA 7600
• Educational Psychology
  • Select one of the following:
    • EDP 5450 Child Psychology
    • EDP 5480 Adolescent Psychology
    • EDP 7350 The Learning Process
• Evaluation and Research
  • EER 7610 Evaluation and Measurement
• History and Philosophy of Education
  • EHP 7600 Philosophy of Education