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Master of Education - Program Description

The traditional Master of Education degree program is in transition, and will not be enrolling new students in the 2014-15 academic year. Current students may rely on the catalog associated with the year of matriculation. For more information, prospective and current students may contact the Director of Graduate Education.

Several areas of concentration are offered in the The Master of Education with Postgraduate Concentration degree program. Completion of the Reading Specialization (PK-12) endorsement program prepares licensed teachers to be additionally licensed as Reading Specialists in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Curriculum and Instruction concentration offers licensed teachers at any level (PK-12) further study in the teaching-learning process. Both areas of concentration require 30 semester hours of work and a passing grade on the written comprehensive examination. To become eligible for professional teaching licensure as a Reading Specialist, one must successfully pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE).  Other areas of concentration – Biology, Mathematics, and English require 18 semester hours of graduate study in the content area and 18 semester hours of work in Education.  Interested students should check with the Director of Graduate Studies about current program offerings.  Admission requires one must be fully licensed to teach, or must be immediately eligible for licensure, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The program is designed for teachers who are currently working; therefore, graduate courses are offered during the evenings in the fall and spring semesters. In the summer terms, both day and evening courses may be offered.

The Master of  Education with Initial Teaching Licensure degree programis designed for graduate students who wish to earn a teaching license while pursuing a master's degree. This degree will license prospective teachers in areas in which Averett currently offers licensure at the undergraduate level. Those areas are: grades PK-6, Special Education PK-12, and the secondary subject areas of  Biology, English, History/Social Science, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, and Visual Arts.  Students seeking a teaching license in Visual Arts, Health and Physical Education, and Special Education will be licensed in grades PK-12.  In order to complete initial licensure degrees, students must pass and have on record passing scores on all tests currently mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, with all of these required before student teaching.  They must also complete any undergraduate deficiencies identified as needing to be met.

Students should be advised that the Virginia Board of Education may alter licensure processes and requirements, thus making changes in Averett's degree programs necessary.  The University reserves the right to make such alterations in degree requirements as are necessary to insure graduates of their eligibility for a teaching license.

The Master of Education with teaching licensure program is designed both for full-time and part-time students. Classes are offered during the day as well as in the evenings during the fall and spring semesters. Some courses are also offered during the summer sessions.

Based upon the premise that the graduate student holds, or is immediately eligible to hold, a Virginia teaching license, or one from a reciprocal state, the non-licensure graduate education curriculum is designed for the classroom teacher to strengthen his/her understanding of the teaching-learning process. In an effort to provide a strong theoretical base, a core of courses that examine philosophical, psychological, and research-oriented issues is required of all students. Beyond that, courses in the areas of specialization are offered to enhance the student's knowledge in his/her chosen area of study. Therefore, this graduate program attempts to provide both theoretical and practical experiences for teachers who wish to become leaders in their profession.

1. In order to assume leadership positions, teachers must become competent in:curriculum content, design, and implementation;
2. use of instructional strategies appropriate for the developmental level of students and appropriate for each curriculum area;
3. evaluation of instructional procedures and student progress;
4. development and utilization of a variety of materials (including appropriate technology);
5. understanding of the cognitive, emotional, physical and social development of the student.

Three options are available for the completion of the Master of Education with Postgraduate Concentration degree. The candidate must select an option by the time 12 semester hours of study have been completed. Any change in degree options must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

The degree options are as follows: 

1. The student will complete the required number of courses for the chosen concentration area and pass a comprehensive examination when all required courses are completed. The comprehensive examination tests the understanding of information gained in both the core courses and the area of specialization.
2. The student with a concentration in Reading Specialization or Curriculum and Instruction may complete a minimum of 24 semester hours, write a thesis and satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination. When this option is elected, the Director of Graduate Studies and the student will select two additional faculty members to serve as the thesis committee, which will be responsible for supervising the writing of the thesis. The student must be continuously enrolled in the thesis course (ED 594) from the beginning of thesis research until the thesis is completed and successfully defended. A minimum of six semester hours of credit must be earned for thesis research.  (If the thesis is not completed, credit for the thesis course will not count toward the degree). Two bound copies of the thesis, indicating the approval of the thesis committee, must be given to the Director of Graduate Studies on or before the last day of the semester or term in which the thesis is defended.
3. The student with a concentration in Reading Specialization or Curriculum and Instruction may complete a minimum of 24 or 27 hours of course work and a three-semester or six-semester hour in-the-field project in the student's area of concentration. The student and his/her advisor must present a detailed plan for this project to the education faculty for approval. The student must enroll in the project course (Education 592) during the semester(s) or term(s) in which the project is undertaken. If the project is not completed, credit for the project course will not count toward the degree. The student must also complete and pass a comprehensive examination.

A student will be eligible to receive the Master of Education degree Postgraduate Concentration when the following requirements have been met.

The student must:

1. have completed the appropriate coursework including all required courses (and a project or thesis if chosen as an option).
2. have successfully passed the written comprehensive examination.
3. have maintained a 3.0 grade point average throughout the program.
4. have no more than one C in the program and none in the area of concentration. (Grades lower than C are unacceptable.)
5. have filed an application for graduation with the University Registrar.
6. have settled all financial accounts with the Business Office.
7. have completed the program within six years.

Averett University holds two commencement exercises each year--at the end of spring semester and at the end of the fall semester. Students may select the graduation in which they wish to participate, but all degree requirements must be met prior to participation in either ceremony. Application deadlines will be strictly enforced and students bear the responsibility for applying, getting measured for caps and gowns, and meeting the graduation requirements by the deadlines. Failure to meet deadlines will mean that the student must wait until the next graduation date. Graduation information including deadlines may be found on the Averett website.

All graduate students are expected to participate in the graduation exercises. If unusual circumstances prevent this, the student must request permission to graduate in absentia from the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success 30 days prior to graduation.

MASTER OF EDUCATION with Initial Teaching Licensure

The Master of Education with Teaching Licensure program is designed for graduate students who wish to earn a teaching license while pursuing a master's degree. This degree will lead to a license for prospective teachers only in areas in which Averett currently offers licenses at the undergraduate level. Those areas are: grades PK-6, Special Education PK-12, and the secondary subject areas of Biology, English, History/Social Studies, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, and Visual Arts.   Students seeking a teaching license in Visual Arts, Special Education, or Health and Physical Education will be licensed in grades PK-12.

Students should be advised that the Virginia Department of Education may alter licensure processes and requirements, thus making changes in Averett's degree programs necessary.  The University reserves the right to make such alterations in degree requirements as are necessary to ensure graduates their eligibility for a teaching license.

The goals of the Masters Degree with Teaching Licensure Program are compatible with the goals of the undergraduate teacher education program and with those of the Master of Education with Postgraduate Concentrations.  These goals are outlined below.
           

1. To assist the candidate in developing a realistic philosophy of education, an understanding of the school in contemporary society, and an understanding of the evolution of education in this country.
2. To provide the candidate the opportunity to become knowledgeable in curriculum content and competent in curriculum design and implementation appropriate for the grade level and/or subject area in which the candidate plans to teach and the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
3. To assist the candidate in gaining a realistic conception of the role of the teacher, the student, and the subject matter in the teaching-learning process, with emphasis on the use of a variety of appropriate instructional strategies, including technology.
4. To assist the candidate in gaining an understanding of psychological growth and development, the process of human learning, and the dynamics of human interaction as they are related to the process of teaching.
5. To provide opportunities for the student to gain competency in the use of research in the classroom setting and in the use of that research in the evaluation of the teaching-learning process.

The Master of Education with Teaching  Licensure Degree Program requires the completion of a minimum of 39 semester hours for students who wish to be licensed in grades PK-6. Those seeking licensure in Special Education General Curriculum PK-12 complete a minimum of 33 semester hours.  For students who wish to be licensed to teach a subject at the secondary level, the program requires a minimum of 42 semester hours. In addition to the graduate courses listed in the Curriculum Outlines in this catalog, the student must present evidence that the following courses or other state/university requirements have been completed prior to being recommended for a teaching license.

ELEMENTARY GRADES PK-6 and SPECIAL EDUCATION PK-12:

To receive a Masters Degree with Teaching Licensure in grades PK-6 or Special Education PK-12 from Averett University, students must have the following coursework or its equivalent in their undergraduate program:

1. English  - 12 semester hours - including English Grammar and Composition, Literature, Children's Literature, Communications/Speech
2. Arts and humanities – 6 hours
3. Social Sciences - 15 semester hours - including Geography, United States History, Economics
4. Natural Sciences and Mathematics - 24 semester hours, including Laboratory Science - 8 hours; Earth Science - 3 hours;  Mathematics - 12 hours
5. Health and Physical Fitness - 4 semester hours - including course equivalent to HTH 220, Health and Fitness in the 21st Century
6. Computer/technology – 3 hours

SECONDARY GRADES 6-12 OR PK-12:

To receive a Master’s Degree with Teaching Licensure in content discipline for grades 6-12 or PK-12, from Averett University, students must have the following coursework or its equivalent in their undergraduate program: 

1. Humanities - 12 semester hours - including English Grammar and Composition, Literature, Art, Music, Philosophy or foreign language, Communications/Speech course
2. Social Science - 15 semester hours - including United States History
3. Natural Sciences and Mathematics - 10 semester hours, including Laboratory Science - 4 hours; Mathematics - 3 hours (MTH 103 or higher); Earth Science - 3 hours
4. School Health and Physical Fitness - 4 semester hours - including Health course and Fitness course

Additionally, secondary teaching licensure requires a major in the academic discipline of choice in addition to the requirements above; therefore, students must fulfill the academic requirements of a major in the subject area in which they plan to teach.

Graduate students seeking initial teaching licensure and the Master of Education degree should consult their academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies regarding any undergraduate prerequisite requirements for their program, and develop a plan to complete all deficiencies.  Academic guidelines for each licensure area are available in the Virginia Department of Education Requirements for Professional Licensure Manual.

A student will be eligible to receive the Master of Education with Initial Teaching Licensure degree when the following requirements have been met.
           
The student must:

1. have completed all requirements for the Master of  Education degree as outlined in this catalog, both graduate and undergraduate.
2. have successfully completed the written comprehensive examination.
3. have maintained a 3.0 grade point average throughout the program.
4. have no more than one C in the program and none in the area of concentration. (Grades lower than C are unacceptable.)
5. have met the cut-off score for all assessments required by the Virginia Department of Education for licensure.
6. have filed an application for graduation with the University Registrar.
7. have settled all financial accounts with the Business Office.
8. have completed the program within six years.

Averett University holds two commencement exercises each year--at the end of spring semester and at the end of the fall semester. Students may select the graduation in which they wish to participate, but all degree requirements must be met prior to participation in either ceremony. Application deadlines will be strictly enforced and students bear the responsibility for applying, getting measured for caps and gowns, and meeting the graduation requirements by the deadlines. Failure to meet deadlines will mean that the student must wait until the next graduation date.

All graduate students are expected to participate in the graduation exercises. If unusual circumstances prevent this, the student must request permission to graduate in absentia from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.   This must be done 30 days prior to graduation.

Averett currently also allows graduate students to have their degrees conferred in August.  Students electing to have their degrees conferred at this time may participate in the December graduation ceremonies but will receive their diplomas in the mail or by picking them up in the Registrar's Office. 

CURRICULUM OUTLINE

*Practicum included
**All PK-6 students must have the equivalent of ENG 470, Children’s Literature

*Practicum Included
All students must have the equivalent of undergraduate ED 350, ED 403, ED 407 and ED 443/444.

*Practicum Included
** Depending on Program
*** Not required for Mathematics or Biology

CONTENT COURSES