Mar 28, 2024  
2019 -2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019 -2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education, M.S.


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Programs of Study


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

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

Master’s Core


All students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Education are required to complete 12 semester hours of coursework that comprise the Master’s Core. Students are encouraged to complete the Master’s Core courses early in their program of study. The Master’s Core consists of the following courses:

Content Area Studies


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 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.

Notes


Students pursuing the M.S. in Education degree with a Mathematics Education concentration will be allowed to transfer in up to 15 credit hours of graduate coursework.

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 605), 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 605), 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.

Curriculum and Instruction Concentration


Program Requirement 30 hrs.


The Curriculum and Instruction 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 Master’s Core Courses 15 hrs.


All students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Education are required to complete 12 semester hours of coursework that comprise the Master’s Core. Students are encouraged to complete the Master’s Core courses early in their program of study. The Master’s Core consists of the following courses:

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:

Students will choose from the courses listed in consultation with their advisors. Other courses may be used with approval from the advisor.

Teaching and Curriculum Development:


Five Year M.S. in Education Program with Licensure In PreK-3 and Early Childhood Special Education


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 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 Master’s Core Courses 12 hrs.


All students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Education are required to complete 12 semester hours of coursework that comprise the Masters Core. Students are encouraged to complete the Masters Core courses early in their program of study. The Masters Core consists of the following courses:

Gifted Education K-12 Endorsement


Endorsement Requirements (12 - 15 hrs.)


The candidate must have:

  1. Completed an approved teacher preparation program in gifted education; or
  2. Completed the following:
  1. Graduated with a baccalaureate degree with an endorsement in a teaching area;
  2. Completed 12 hours of graduate-level coursework in gifted education; and 
  3. Completed a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. This practicum shall include a minimum of 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with gifted students in a heterogeneously grouped (mixed ability) classroom or a homogeneously grouped (single ability) classroom. One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the practicum.

Students who already hold an initial teaching license and are seeking the Add-On Endorsement in gifted education without the master’s degree must take the following four courses:


Students who are seeking the Add-On Endorsement in Gifted Education


Who are concurrently working towards their initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, Secondary Education or Special Education must take the four courses listed above as well as the practicum course listed below:

Students who are seeking both the M.S. in Education – Curriculum and Instruction degree and the Add-On Endorsement in Gifted Education must take the following courses:


Required Courses: Master’s Core 12 hrs.


All students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Education are required to complete 12 semester hours of coursework that comprise the Master’s Core. Students are encouraged to complete the Master’s Core courses early in their program of study. The Master’s Core consists of the following courses:

Note:


Students must meet with their advisor to see what course(s) they will need from the listing above before enrolling.

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