2004-2005 Master of Education

2004 - 2005 Master of Education (MED)

Program Director: David Stokes

The college offers a graduate education program leading to a Masters Degree in Education (M.Ed.). Individuals must be interested in pursuing an advanced degree that is humanistic and developmental in its perspective and which has an instructional focus. Commitment to professional growth is a prerequisite.

Philosophy Statement

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program at Westminster College is committed to improving education through meaningful inquiry and innovative exploration of the connections between teaching practice, beliefs and reflectivity. We emphasize the joining of theory and practice as a means to the personal transformation of teacher professionals and the institutions they represent.

The standards of the curriculum reflect the School of Education's commitment to provide a well-rounded education congruent with the needs of master teachers and other instructional professionals. These standards include:

Pedagogy: Students will engage in activities that help to bridge theory and practice by applying theoretical knowledge to field practices; they will acquire and enhance skills in communication, subject area content, and instructional methodologies and technologies.

Critical reflection: Students will grapple with the social, political, and moral implications of educational practices through dialogue, written formats, technological productions, and a variety of presentations.

Scholarly writing: Students will articulate thoughts in a clear, succinct, and organized manner; they will apply appropriate conventions of grammar and punctuation.

Research: Students will plan projects, search relevant professional databases, collect data through interviews and other applicable methods, analyze data, and complete and disseminate findings.

Collaboration: Students will work collaboratively with peers on activities associated with each aspect of their program.

The program is part of a college community distinguished for commitment to student growth and the exploration of scholastic development.

Program Description

The goals of the program are accomplished through courses, seminars and research opportunities evolving within the M.Ed. program.

Though the M.Ed. program does not lead to teacher licensure, already licensed students may gain a Basic Reading Endorsement, an Advanced Reading Endorsement, a Distance Learning Endorsement, an English as a Second Language Endorsement, a Special Education Endorsement, or an Adult Learning Certificate. Course work for all endorsements counts toward an M.Ed. Additionally, students seeking licensure may enroll in the combined masters/licensure (TLP) program, which allows students to gain teaching licenses while earning up to twelve hours of graduate credit towards their M.Ed.

Note: Should the Utah State Board of Education change its requirements for teaching endorsements, the Master of Education/Teacher Education Program requirements will change accordingly.

Admission to the Program

Requirements for admission are (1) completion of a teacher education program or (2) position as an instructor in staff development or (3) other positions as appropriate to the focus of an advanced degree in instruction. Individuals with a baccalaureate degree seeking initial teacher licensure may qualify to take M.Ed. course work while completing licensure requirements.

A candidate for admission must submit the following materials to the Office of Admissions:

A completed Application for Graduate Admission form with a $30 application fee.
Evidence of a completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or a recognized international college or university.
Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education indicating a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Completed graduate questionnaire.
Three professional recommendations.
A personal résumé detailing professional work experience to include relevant job titles, work experience, responsibilities, and related activities.

Upon completion of these steps, the individual's application materials are submitted to the Graduate Education Admissions Committee. Once accepted to the M.Ed. Program, applicants must submit a $250 tuition deposit, which guarantees a place in the entering class.

Provisional Admission

Based on a committee review of unofficial documents, students with completed baccalaureate degrees may be admitted to the program on provisional status, pending receipt of official copies of all necessary documents and completion of the admissions process. These students will be permitted to register for one semester on provisional status but must complete their files and gain full admission before continuing the program in subsequent semesters.

Note: International students with baccalaureate degrees from countries other than the United States must present a TOEFL score of 550 or above.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 32 credit hours is required for graduation. A maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level transcripted credit may be accepted from another accredited college or university. The accepted course work must fall within the guidelines of Westminster's Graduate Program in Education.*

Although a minimum of 32 credit hours is required, students may desire, or need to complete, additional hours to enhance their graduate degree. Planning this graduate degree program is the responsibility of the student in collaboration with his/her advisor.

*Certain Master of Professional Communication or Master of Business Administration courses may meet graduate education program requirements. Students should consult with their education advisors for specific information and refer to the MPC and MBA sections of this catalog for course descriptions.

Combined Masters/Licensure Program

This program is designed for students who currently hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking a graduate degree in Education along with a Utah state teaching license in secondary, elementary, or early childhood education.

Students must meet the requirements for admissions into both the undergraduate licensure and the Masters of Education (M.Ed.) programs.

Students in this program are permitted to complete four licensure course requirements through M.Ed.-level courses:

EDUC 302 (fulfilled by MED 614 or 606 and EDUC 300L)
EDUC 303 (fulfilled by MED 672)
EDUC 315 (fulfilled by MED 601 or 602)
EDUC 320 (fulfilled by MED 610)

These graduate courses will also count toward completion of the student's M.Ed., meaning that the student can complete up to 12 credit hours of the 32 required to obtain an M.Ed. by the time the student finishes his/her licensure course work.

Students are considered undergraduate while in the licensure program even though they are taking some graduate-level courses. This may offer financial aid options that are not available to graduate students. See the Office of Financial aid for more information.

Retention in the Program

The student must:

Design and file an acceptable program plan with the Director of the Master of Education program.
Maintain a grade point average of 3.00. Courses in which a grade of B- or lower is awarded do not count towards graduation requirements.
Complete the program within six years, or begin to lose credit for courses older than six years.

Academic Probation and Suspension Policy

Students in the Master of Education programs are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 the next semester in which they enroll. Probationary students who fail to earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 that semester will be suspended from the M.Ed. program.

Probationary students whose semester grade point average is 3.0 or higher but whose cumulative grade point average still remains below 3.0 will continue on academic probation. Probationary students whose cumulative grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher will be returned to good academic standing. To qualify for graduation, students must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Probationary students are required to meet with the M.Ed. Program Director prior to enrolling for the upcoming semester.

Program Structure

Students have four curricular options in the M.Ed. program. Graduation requires a minimum of 32 credit hours for any option.

Traditional M.Ed.

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Core Courses	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
II.	Elective Courses	21
	Students may choose classes from the following: MED 602 Teaching and Learning Theory (3) MED 605 Contemporary Issues in Education (3) MED 610 Diversity in Education (3) MED 613 Adult Learning (3) MED 616 Information Technology (3) MED 617 Instructional Design with Technology (3) MED 622 Language Acquisition and Assessment (3) MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) MED 651 Learner-Centered Environments (3) MED 658 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3) MED 672 Instructional Technology (3)
III.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
IV.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE TRADITIONAL M.Ed.		32

Endorsement or Certificate followed by completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Basic Reading Endorsement (RDG)	21
	See Areas of Endorsement below
II.	Core Course	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
III.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
IV.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE RDG ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		32

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Advanced Reading Endorsement (RDGA)	32
	See Areas of Endorsement below
II.	Core Course	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
III.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
IV.	Project
	Completed as part of Advanced Reading Endorsement
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE RDGA ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		37

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Educational Techonology/Distance Learning Endorsement (DLE)	16
	See Areas of Endorsement below
II.	Core Course	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
III.	Elective Courses	5
	MED 602 Teaching and Learning Theory (3) MED 605 Contemporary Issues in Education (3) MED 610 Diversity in Education (3) MED 613 Adult Learning (3) MED 622 Language Acquisition and Assessment (3) MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) MED 651 Learner-Centered Environments (3) MED 658 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3)
IV.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
V.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE DLE ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		32

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	English as a Second Language Endorsement (ESL)	18
	See Areas of Endorsement below
II.	Core Course	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
III.	Elective Courses	3
	Students may choose classes from the following: MED 602 Teaching and Learning Theory (3) MED 605 Contemporary Issues in Education (3) MED 610 Diversity in Education (3) MED 613 Adult Learning (3) MED 616 Information Technology (3) MED 617 Instructional Design with Technology (3) MED 622 Language Acquisition and Assessment (3) MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) MED 651 Learner-Centered Environments (3) MED 658 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3) MED 672 Instructional Technology (3)
IV.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
V.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE ESL ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		32

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Special Education Endorsement (SPED)	24
	See Areas of Endorsement below
II.	Core Course	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
III.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
IV.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE SPED ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		35

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Adult Learning Certificate (ALC)	15
	See Areas of Endorsement below
II.	Core Course	3
	All students must take: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)
III.	Elective Courses	3
	Students may choose classes from the following: MED 602 Teaching and Learning Theory (3) MED 605 Contemporary Issues in Education (3) MED 610 Diversity in Education (3) MED 616 Information Technology (3) MED 617 Instructional Design with Technology (3) MED 622 Language Acquisition and Assessment (3) MED 651 Learner-Centered Environments (3) MED 658 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3) MED 672 Instructional Technology (3)
IV.	Graduate Seminar	2
	All students must take 2 MED 650 seminars.
V.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE ALC ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		32

Teaching License (TLP) followed by completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	Elective Courses	14
	MED 602 Teaching and Learning Theory (3) MED 605 Contemporary Issues in Education (3) MED 610 Diversity in Education (3) MED 613 Adult Learning (3) MED 616 Information Technology (3) MED 617 Instructional Design with Technology (3) MED 622 Language Acquisition and Assessment (3) MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) MED 651 Learner-Centered Environments (3) MED 658 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3) MED 672 Instructional Technology (3)
III.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		32

Teaching License (TLP) followed by an Endorsement or Certificate then completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	Basic Reading Endorsement (RDG)	18
	See Areas of Endorsement below
III.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP and RDG FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		36

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	Advanced Reading Endorsement (RDGA)	32
	See Areas of Endorsement below
III.	Project
	Completed as part of Advanced Reading Endorsement
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP and RDGA FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		44

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	Educational Technology/Distance Learning Endorsement (DLE)	16
	See Areas of Endorsement below
III.	Project
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP and DLE FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		34

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	English as a Second Language Endorsement (ESL)	18
	See Areas of Endorsement below
III.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP and ESL FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		36

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	Special Education Endorsement (SPED)	24
	See Areas of Endorsement below
III.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP and SPED FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		42

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Graduate Courses Required as Part of TLP	12
	Students must complete: MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education or MED 614 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education MED 602 Cognitive Development MED 610 Diversity in Education MED 672 Instructional Technology
II.	Adult Learning Certificate (ALC)	15
	See Areas of Endorsement below
III.	Project	6
	All students must take: MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) MED 680 Research Project (3)
TOTAL HOURS FOR TLP and ALC FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.		33

Areas of Endorsement

Basic Reading Endorsement (RDG)
This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified to be a reading teacher at the elementary or secondary level. This endorsement is largely conducted during the summer. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program.
MED 612 Models and Processes of Literacy	3
MED 630 Children's/Adolescent Literature	3
MED 631 Writing in the Classroom	3
MED 632 Assessment of Reading Processes	3
MED 633 Diagnostic Teaching for Reading Comprehension	3
MED 636 Early Literacy Instruction	3
MED 658 Reading and Writing in the Content Area	3
These graduate courses will also count toward completion of the Master of Education degree.

Advanced Reading Endorsement (RDGA)
This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and have completed the Basic Reading Endorsement at Westminster College.
MED 608 Special Topics	3
MED 660 Directed Studies in Reading Research	3
MED 679 Research Methodologies	3
MED 680 Research Project	3

The Educational Technology/The Distance Learning Endorsement (DLE)
This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and/or bachelor's degree, and are seeking to gain a strong background for teaching and learning through technology, exploring the online environment as a teaching medium, and teaching through the EDNET system. This endorsement is largely conducted during the summer. Students seeking admission need to contact the M.Ed. Program Director for details on the admissions process. Students complete the following classes to gain the endorsement:
MED 610 Diversity in Education	3
MED 616 Information Technology	3
MED 617 Instructional Design with Technology	3
MED 618 Online Education: Teaching & Learning at a Distance	3
MED 619 Distance Learning Field Experience	1
MED 672 Instructional Technology	3
These graduate courses will also count toward completion of the Master of Education degree.

English as a Second Language Endorsement (ESL)
This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified to be an ESL teacher at the elementary or secondary level. This endorsement is largely conducted during the summer. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program.
MED 620 ESL, Family and Community	3
MED 621 Foundations of ESL Instruction	3
MED 622 Language Acquisition and Assessment	3
MED 623 ESL Methods I	3
MED 624 ESL Methods II	3
MED 625 Integrating Content for ESL Learners	3
These graduate courses count toward completion of the Master of Education degree.

Special Education Endorsement (SPED)
Students who select this area of specialization must complete the full Special Education Endorsement program. Required Special Education Endorsement course work will fulfill both the area of specialization and 2 of the 3 elective requirements in the M.Ed. Program.
SPED 503 Roles of the Special Educator	4
SPED 508 Principles and Application of Special Education Assessment	4
SPED 535 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K - 12 Special Education I	4
SPED 540 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K - 12 Special Education II	4
SPED 585 Behavioral Supports in Special Education	4
SPED 590 Student Teaching in Special Education	4
These graduate courses count toward completion of the Master of Education degree.

Adult Learning Certificate (ALC)
This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified as specialists with a broad knowledge of adult learning. This is particularly suited to those in educational or training positions who work directly with adults. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program.
MED 610 Diversity in Education	3
MED 613 Adult Learning	3
MED 634 Teaching Adults	3
MED 635 Adult Education, Program Planning and Evaluation	3
MED 672 Instructional Technology	3