Education, M.S.Ed.

Coordinator: Adele Schepige

Mission

Provides a critical, advanced and intellectually rigorous curriculum whereby students are given the opportunity to advance their knowledge of the teaching/learning process, demonstrate an exemplary level of competence in all aspects of teaching, increase their knowledge of content information and materials and show their commitment to professional excellence and professional leadership.

Learning outcomes

Effectively use advanced content knowledge and educational technologies.
Analyze data and evidence to support learning and engage in change.
Apply learning theories, educational data and research in education in a variety of contexts.
Demonstrate professional growth, dispositions and leadership appropriate to their field in education.

The Master of Science in Education degree consists of 45 credit hours of approved graduate-level courses in a combination of education and advanced content/specialty courses.

The degree has three areas:

Professional education core (21)
Advanced Content/Specialty core (18)
Exit requirements (6): Two options to complete this requirement:
1. Electives approved by adviser and completion of comprehensive exams.
2. Thesis or professional project (ED 603 )

All MS Ed students holding a current teaching license, are required to complete a 3 credit ED 609 Practicum .

Core Courses

Area 1

Professional education core (21) *

All MSED students complete this core

ED 611 Theories of Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
ED 632 Cultural, Social and Philosophical Issues in Education Credits: 3
ED 633 Research and Writing Credits: 3
ED 635 Action Research Credits: 3
ED 636 Leadership and Policy in a Diverse Society Credits: 3
ED 637 Inquiry Into Pedagogy Credits: 3 *

Choose one: (3)**

CSE 610 Computers in Education Credits: 3
CSE 624 Internet for Educators Credits: 3

Note:

* ESOL or Bilingual/ESOL students will substitute ED 691 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Strategies for English Language Learners for ED 637 . Reading Education students will substitute ED 668 Assessment & Reading Instruction for ED 637 .

** In addition to CSE 610 and CE 624, non-licensure students may also choose from CSE 615 Designing Information , CSE 616 Designing and Teaching Online Courses and ED 626 Instructional Design , to meet their CSE requirements.

Area 2

Advanced content/specialty core (16-24)

Students in the Masters of Science in Education program will complete 16-24 credits of coursework in a selected content area. This portion of the degree is often planned by faculty in liberal arts and sciences and the faculty in education. Students may continue graduate-level work in their academic areas or additional endorsement courses may be added.

Students seeking to complete a new endorsement within the 18 credit portion of the program are required to complete a 90-clock-hour practicum in the appropriate preparation level or endorsement. Endorsements are offered in ESOL, bilingual/ESOL, early childhood or reading and are described in the endorsement section.

Select one content/specialty core:

Area 3

Capstone exit requirements (6)

Non-licensed teachers have three options for completing their final 6 hours of capstone exit requirements. Licensed teachers have two capstone exit options. Licensed teachers who are not considering further education in doctoral programs should take Option 1.

Option 1:

Six hours of advanced professional specialty proficiency documentation

ED 617 Professional Inquiry in Education Credits: 3
ED 609 Practicum Credits: 1-15

Note:

This option serves as an on-the-job demonstration of advanced professional specialty competency. It is designed to demonstrate the candidate’s ability to teach and work with others at an advanced level of performance in the field of education with a specific focus on using data literacy to impact education settings.

Option 2:

Six hours of thesis or professional project

ED 603 Thesis, Professional Project or Field Study Credits: 3-9 or
HE 603 Thesis Credits: 1-9 (depending on content area) or
CSE 603 Thesis or Professional Project Credits: 3-9 (depending on content area)

Note:

Students who wish to complete a thesis or professional project as their capstone exit requirement must enroll in thesis or professional credit hours. Students demonstrate the ability to conduct research or produce a professional project. During this time, they work with advisers and individually to complete their projects. Licensed teachers who choose this option must work with advanced proficiency standards of data literacy and conduct a study in P-12 setting in their thesis or to produce a professional project for a particular educational setting or partner.

Option 3:

Comprehensive exams

Students choosing to complete comprehensive exams as their capstone exit requirement choose elective credits to complete their 45-hour program. Students work with their advisers to determine appropriate elective courses. Licensed teachers cannot choose comprehensive exams as their capstone exit option.