Education, M.S.

Courses required in the common core are:

• EDEF 606 - Educational Research Credits: (3)
• EDEF 607 - Foundations of Education Credits: (3)
• EDET 620 - Educational Technology: Applications, Applied Research and Integration Credits: (3)
• EDUC 670 - Basic Principles and Practices of Multicultural Education Credits: (3)

Programs of Study

In developing a program of study, students select one of three concentrations within the M.S. degree in Education or the five year Early Childhood Education program:

• Content Area Studies
  
  • Specialization in Math Education
• Curriculum and Instruction
  
  • With licensure
  • Without licensure
• Educational Technology
• Early Childhood Education with Licensure in PreK-3 and Early Childhood Special Education.

Program Requirements: 30-45 hrs. (variable credit hours depending on content)

The concentration in Content Area Studies requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework, including:

• Common core courses (12 credits)
• A minimum of 18 semester hours of approved graduate course work in a content area (18 credits)
• Other required or elective course- work may be required depending on the specific content area

Specialization in Math Education

The Math Education specialization in the Content Area Studies concentration is a 36-hour program for licensed secondary mathematics teachers, or students with an undergraduate degree in a mathematics education licensure program, or prospective college/university mathematics instructors. This program enhances secondary mathematics teachers’ knowledge of teaching while providing the mathematical content preparation required for teaching at a two-or four-year college.

Required Courses 12 hrs.

All M.S. in Education students are required to complete 12 semester hours of course work that comprise a common core or common knowledge base. Students are encouraged to complete the required common core courses early in their program of study, particularly the research course (EDEF 606), which is required within the first 9 hours.

Post-Baccalaureate Mathematics Education Certificate

Applicants who are already licensed mathematics educators and who are not interested in pursuing a full masters degree may be interested in the Post-Baccalaureate Mathematics Education Certificate. This is designed for individuals who wish to gain more content knowledge in mathematics. Completion of this 18-credit hour certificate program makes the applicant eligible to teach at the college level or as dual enrollment (high school/community college) teachers. The courses for the certificate are those six courses listed above under the “Math Courses” designation.

Specialization in Appalachian Studies

The Appalachian Studies specialization in the Content Area Studies concentration is a 30- hour program designed for pre-K-12 teachers in the region who wish to incorporate place-based education strategies in their classrooms.

Required Courses 12 hrs.

All M.S. in Education students are required to complete 12 semester hours of coursework that comprise a common core or common knowledge base. Students are encouraged to complete the required common core courses early in their program of study, particularly the research course (EDEF 606), which is required within the first 9 hours.

Post-Baccalaureate Appalachian Studies Certificate

Applicants who are not interested in pursuing a full Master’s degree may be interested in the Post-Baccalaureate Appalachian Studies Certificate. The certificate is relevant to pre-K-12 teachers in the region who already hold a master’s in Education but wish to incorporate place-based education strategies in their classrooms. Also, post-secondary educators, community organizers, nonprofit organization leaders, and business and health professionals in the region will benefit from obtaining the certificate. The courses for the certificate are:

Master’s with Licensure Option

Applicants who do not currently hold a license to teach in elementary, middle, or secondary education may work on such licensure concurrently while working toward the M.S. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction Concentration.

Students choosing the M.S. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction Concentration with Licensure Option will also be required to apply and be admitted to the College of Education and Human Development’s Teacher Education Program prior to the blocking/student teaching year. The admission requirements for this program include tests and content area coursework as well as additional documentation of preparedness for working with PreK-12th grade children.

If a student is combining initial licensure in elementary, middle or secondary education with the Curriculum and Instruction concentration, then additional coursework will be required beyond the 30 semester hours for the master’s. Please contact the M.S. in Education graduate program coordinator for specific coursework requirements.

Program Requirement 30 hrs.

This concentration allows professional educators opportunities to expand their professional development and enhance skills in teaching and content knowledge. There are two options in this concentration: master’s only and master’s with licensure.

Required Courses 12 hrs.

All M.S. in Education students are required to complete 12 semester hours of course work that comprise a common core or common knowledge base. Students are encouraged to complete the required common core courses early in their program of study, particularly the research course (EDEF 606), which is required within the first 9 hours.

Categorical Electives 12 hrs.

The student, in consultation with his/her advisor, will select 12 additional hours of coursework, with at least 3 hours in each of the following areas:

• Teaching and Curriculum Development
• Reading
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Special Education

Students must meet with their faculty advisors to get listings of which courses will count for each of the categories above.

Open Electives 6 hrs.

The student, in consultation with his/her advisor, will select 6 additional hours of coursework in any education-related category.

Program Requirements 36 hrs.

This program is designed solely for students who have completed the non-licensure B.S. program at RU in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (IDEC). Undergraduate students in the pre-professional portion of the program must meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate College before being enrolled in the master’s degree portion of the program. Students are expected to complete the graduate admissions process during the spring of their junior year. Graduate admissions requirements for students in the 5-year program are the same as for other concentrations within the M.S. in Education degree. Students complete the admission process to the teacher education program in the spring of their senior year.

The following courses are required for the fifth year master’s degree in Education with dual licensure in early childhood education (PreK-3) and early childhood special education (birth to five).

Required Courses 12 hrs.

All M.S. in Education students are required to complete 12 semester hours of course work that comprise a common core or common knowledge base. Students are encouraged to complete the required common core courses early in their program of study, particularly the research course (EDEF 606), which is required within the first 9 hours.

Program Requirements 30 hrs.

This concentration allows educational professionals in business and industry as well as K-16 educators to pursue professional development in a variety of technology-related areas. This graduate program focuses on the importance of capitalizing on emerging technical trends within the parameters of the typical educational environments. Areas of study emphasize the educational implications of virtually limitless, free, keyword-searchable information; wifi-enabled, locations-aware mobile technologies; Web technologies; and handheld and desktop games and simulations.

Required Courses 12 hrs.

All M.S. in Education students are required to complete 12 semester hours of course work that comprise a common core or common knowledge base. Students are encouraged to complete the required common core courses early in their program of study, particularly the research course (EDEF 606 ), which is required within the first 9 hours.