Averett University Undergraduate Catalog

 


Master of Education - Admission to the M.Ed.

The traditional Master of Education degree program is in transition, and will not be enrolling new students in the 2015-16 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.

APPLICATION AND NOTIFICATION

Persons wishing to engage in graduate study at Averett University should begin the admission process at least six weeks prior to the intended initial registration whenever possible.  Applicants may assist in expediting these procedures by checking with persons from whom they have requested letters of recommendation and with the appropriate college officials concerning official transcripts and testing results.
            
Each applicant will be notified in writing by the Director of Graduate Studies regarding his/her application for admission. If the applicant is granted regular admission with limited status, a full explanation will be provided along with the requirements that must be met to obtain regular status. If the applicant is denied admission to the graduate program, the reasons for this denial will be fully stated.

REQUIREMENTS

A. Master of Education Program with Postgraduate Concentrations

Persons seeking admission to the Master of Education Program with Postgraduate Concentrations on regular status must:
  1. Complete an application form and submit a non-refundable application fee of $50.
  2. Submit an official transcript, indicating that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
  3. Have attained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) over the last two years (or sixty semester hours) of undergraduate study.
  4. Provide three letters of recommendation (forms available from the Director of Graduate Studies) from persons who have knowledge of the applicant's academic or professional performance and potential. Letters from former or current professors and employers are appropriate.
  5. Provide evidence that the applicant holds or is immediately eligible for a Virginia teaching license.
  6. Provide passing scores on one of the following standardized tests: the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination [passing score is 850], or the Miller Analogies Test [passing score is 400]. Test scores may be no more than six years old; or have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better for all undergraduate studies.

B. The Master of Education Program with Initial Teaching Licensure

           
Persons seeking admission to the Master of Education with Initial Teaching Licensure Program on regular status must:
  1. Complete the application form and a student information sheet, and submit a non-refundable application fee of $50.
  2. Submit an official transcript, indicating that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
  3. Have attained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) over the last two years (or sixty semester hours) of undergraduate study.
  4. Provide passing scores on one of the following standardized tests:  either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT, passing score is 400) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE, passing score is 800), or a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better for undergraduate studies.
    • Test scores may be no more than six years old.     
  5. Submit three letters of recommendation (forms available from the Education Department Administrative Assistant) from persons who have knowledge of the applicant's academic or professional performance and potential (preferably from a major professor or employer).
  6. Take and pass the writing portion of Praxis I or the VCLA to serve as a writing proficiency test. 
ADMISSION STATUS CLASSIFICATION
  • Regular Status:
 Students who fully satisfy the general criteria as well as the specific program requirements will be admitted to the graduate program with regular status.
  • Regular Status with Limited Schedule:

Applicants who fail to meet all the criteria for regular status but who show strong potential for graduate study may be granted provisional status.  The conditions placed upon the applicant must be met prior to the applicant being granted regular status.

The Director of Graduate Studies will explain to the applicant in writing the conditions under which provisional admission was granted.  It then becomes the responsibility of the student, in consultation with his/her advisor, to see that the conditions are met.  When the conditions are met, the student will be notified in writing that he/she has been granted regular status.  If the conditions under which provisional admission was granted are not met, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.  There will be no extension on any of the conditions.  A student who has been discontinued because the provisional status has not been removed will not be eligible for readmission to the graduate program.  All students facing discontinuance of their program have the right of personal appeal.  Such appeal must be arranged through the Director of Graduate Studies.

  • Special Student Status
Special student status is applicable to persons who are not seeking a graduate degree at Averett University, but who wish to engage in graduate study.  Such status applies to persons who:
  • are seeking renewal of their teaching license;
  • are undertaking graduate study at another institution and have permission to take course work at Averett for transfer to that institution;
  • are studying for personal or professional enrichment.
Applicants seeking special status must supply the following information prior to being accepted on special status:
  • an official  transcript indicating that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or evidence the applicant holds a teaching license;
  • a completed application form ;
  • a non-refundable application fee of $50.00;
  • a letter of permission from the appropriate official of the institution to which work is being transferred if the student is seeking transfer credit.

A student on special student status should consult the Director of Graduate Studies for information and guidance. These students may petition for a change of admission status to degree seeking. Such a petition must be initiated through the Director of Graduate Studies. For the status to be changed, the student must meet all the admissions requirements to become degree seeking. Work undertaken while on special student status must meet the grade performance requirements, time limitations, and program design requirements if credit is to be included in a graduate degree program. In keeping with degree candidacy requirements (see Admission to Degree Candidacy), no more than 12 semester hours of study completed while on special status may be applied to a degree program. All work must be completed within the six-year time frame specified in the section on Degree Time Limit.

EARLY ADMISSION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS 

An undergraduate student at Averett University who is in his/her final two semesters may enroll in a maximum of two graduate courses (six hours) for graduate credit during her/his senior year. These courses may be applied toward the Master of Education degree if they are earned at Averett University within the time limit as specified in the section on Degree Time Limit.

Qualified undergraduate students are allowed to pursue a graduate program of study while working toward secondary teaching licensure in English, Biology, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, Visual Arts, or History and Social Studies. During the senior year of the degree program, undergraduate students will be eligible to enroll in graduate courses in Education in their chosen content discipline. Students will complete the undergraduate requirements for a major with a teaching license in their chosen content discipline (except the Professional Education courses), and the requirements for the Masters Degree: Secondary Education Licensure degree program. Interested students should contact their academic advisors and the Director of Graduate Studies.

B.A. or B.S. to Master of Education Degree Program

Students may complete a B.A. or B.S.-M.Ed. program of study leading to the baccaulaureate and the Master of Education degrees.  This program prepares students for teaching licensure in any of the following areas:

Teaching Licensure in Grades PK-6, Elementary Education
Teaching Licensure in Special Education-General Curriculum PK-12
Dual Teaching Licensure in Grades PK-6 and Special Education PK-12

Students wishing to complete their baccalaureate degree leading toward undergraduate teaching licensure in either PK-6 or PK-12 may opt to enter the graduate program during their senior year by taking a maximum of six semesters of graduate credits.  Those courses may then be applied toward the M.Ed. degree if they are earned at Averett University within the six year time limit.   Interested students should speak with the Director of Graduate Studies.

ADMISSION TO DEGREE CANDIDACY

The graduate student who seeks the Master of Education with Postgraduate Concentration must be admitted to degree candidacy in accordance with the following requirements.

The student must:

  • have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate study at Averett University, including two core courses. 
  • be admitted to degree candidacy prior to the completion of 18 semester hours of graduate work.  
  • have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in graduate study at Averett University.  
  • submit a degree plan indicating all work which will be undertaken to complete the degree.  This plan must be completed in consultation with the advisor.  
  • have the endorsement of his/her advisor indicating that he/she is recommended for admission to degree candidacy.  
  • have attained regular admission status.
The graduate student who seeks the Master of Education with Initial Teaching Licensure must be admitted to candidacy status in accordance with the following requirements.The student must:
  • have completed a minimum of nine semester hours of graduate study at Averett University.  
  • have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) in graduate study at Averett.  
  • have attained regular admission status.  
  • have the endorsement of his/her advisor indicating that he/she is recommended for admission to degree candidacy.

The documents required for admission to degree candidacy must be completed by the student and the Director of Graduate Studies.  In the event the student's application is not approved, the student has the right of appeal to the Academic Policies Council.  Arrangements for the appeal must be made through the Director of Graduate Studies to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success and the Academic Policies Council.  The action of the Academic Policies Council is final.  If the requirements specified by the Academic Policies Council are not met, the student's program will be discontinued.

If the student has not met requirements to be admitted to degree candidacy upon the completion of 18 semester hours (including any transfer work), the student will be discontinued from the program.  The only exception to this rule will be the student who is in the process of completing requirements specified by the Academic Policies Council in order to gain acceptance to degree candidacy.

If a student is placed on academic probation after admission to degree candidacy, the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 15 hours of graduate work after he/she has been removed from academic probation.