Degrees and Areas of Specialization
The School of Education offers courses of study leading to the Master of Education (MEd) in learning and instructional design. A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is offered for students seeking an initial license through an alternative licensure program. For those already holding a teaching certificate or license, the School of Education offers coursework to prepare students for endorsements in ESOL. For those licensed in elementary education, an early childhood unified endorsement is also available.
Graduate certificates are offered in instructional design in professional practice, interdisciplinary STEM education, and online learning and educational technology.
Applied Learning
Students are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from programs in education. The requirements can be met by the following:
Students who graduate from an undergraduate program must experience at least 600 hours of field experience/internship in various classroom settings throughout their specific program. In addition, all initial licensure students must complete the Teacher Licensure Capstone, which is an action research requirement for licensure.
Students who graduate from all master’s degree programs must complete either a master’s thesis or capstone research project in which the emphasis is on applying professional practices to research and is directly linked to applied learning.
Applied learning occurs when students develop knowledge, skills and values from personal direct experiences that go beyond the traditional lecture or lab. Applied learning encompasses a variety of activities including service learning, undergraduate research, theses, dissertations and other creative (e.g., live performances) and professional services (e.g., practicums, internships, clinical rotations and cooperative education).
The applied learning experience requirements for the initial licensure programs develop knowledge, skills and values primarily through practicums and internships. These internship experiences allow students to apply educational theory into practice. In addition, students complete the Teacher Licensure Capstone (TLC), which is a product of research in the K–12 classroom that includes data collection, teaching, data analysis and reflection.
The applied learning experience requirements for the graduate programs develop knowledge, skills and values primarily through the completion of either the master’s thesis or the capstone project. The completion of these terminal projects allow students to apply knowledge and skills gained from their coursework to independent research.
Programs in the School of Education
MEd - Master of Education
- MEd - Master of Education in Learning and Instructional Design (online program)