Master of Education with Teacher Certification (M.Ed.) Overview

The Master of Education with Certification (M.Ed.) degree is designed to provide teacher candidates the opportunity to earn a master’s degree and an initial certification in elementary (K-9), secondary (6-12), and special education (PK-12) teaching. The Master of Education with Certification is for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another field and are seeking certification. Theory and practice are integrated through professional coursework in education with a strong liberal arts foundation and a specific major while field experiences are completed in a variety of school settings.

The program is designed for the working professional. Classes meet once a week in the evening. Field experiences that accompany courses are completed in a school setting during the regular school day. The semester of student teaching is completed during the day on a full-time basis. Student teachers attend a professional growth seminar on campus during the student teaching semester. Teacher candidates who work full-time will design a plan in which they can complete the required field experience hours as well as the program requirements.

To discuss the M.Ed. with Certification program with a counselor, contact (800) 735-7500.

Information Sessions

 
Program Requirements
Thirty-six semester hours of graduate level courses are required to earn certification in Elementary and Secondary Education and forty semester hours for Special Education. Methods of Educational Research (four semester hours) is required for the M.Ed. degree. In addition, a student must successfully complete a culmination experience that includes a synthesizing project. Maintenance of at least a "B" average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is necessary for advancement to candidacy and graduation.

Required courses
MEDU 665 Teaching in a Diverse Society
4
MEDU 670 Educational Psychology
4
MEDU 671 Beginning Field Experience
0
MSED 625 Instructional Technology
4
MEDU 675* Survey of the Exceptional Individual
4
MEDU 684 Classroom Management
2
MEDU 699 Professional Growth Seminar
1
MEDU 610** Methods of Educational Research
4

*Course not required for Special Education Certification

**Course taken after certification.

Elementary Certification

MEDU 683 Methods of Teaching Science/Social Science
3
MEDU 685 Methods of Teaching Math
3
MEDU 680 Methods of Teaching Reading/Language Arts
3
MEDU 681 Intermediate Field Experience
0
MEDU 690 Elementary Advanced Field Experience
8

Special Education Certification

MEDU 640 Development/Characteristics of Individuals w/Disabilities
3
MEDU 641 Legal/Historical Foundations in Special Education
3
MEDU 642 Educational Assessment in Special Education
3
MEDU 643 Methods of Instruction for General and Special Education
4
MEDU 644 Specialized Curriculum and Inclusion in Special Education
3
MEDU 681 Intermediate Field Experience
0
MEDU 697 Special Education Advanced Field Experience
8
MEDU 645 Consultation, Transition, & Collaboration in Special Educ.
3

Secondary Certification

MEDU 687 Middle School Curriculum & Instruction
3
MEDU 689 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
3
MEDU 681 Intermediate Field Experience
0
MEDU 695 Secondary Advanced Field Experience
8

and one of the following:

MEDU 691 Secondary Methods of Teaching Science
3
MEDU 692 Secondary Methods in English/Language Arts
3
MEDU 693 Secondary Methods in Social Science
3
MEDU 694 Secondary Methods in Mathematics
3
 
Program Related Undergraduate Course Work
 
The teacher candidate is also responsible for completing deficiencies in any program related general education and subject area course work. Such course work may be completed at the undergraduate level. A College of Education advisor will provide students with assistance in selecting the courses needed to fulfill certification requirements that are not part of the graduate component.
 
Field Experiences
 
The M.Ed. with Certification program requires three field experiences that provide opportunities for aspiring teachers to observe experienced teachers, practice newly emerging teaching skills and apply the knowledge gained from university coursework to the elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The certification program culminates in an advanced field experience (student teaching) during which the students synthesize the knowledge skills and dispositions required in the teaching profession.
 
College of Education Teacher Preparation Program Outcomes
 
Understanding Students

#1 Content Knowledge

The teacher understands the central concepts, methods of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to all students.

#2 Human Development and Learning

The teacher understands how individuals grow, develop, and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.

#3 Diversity

The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

#4 Planning for Instruction

The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

#5 Learning Environment

The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

#6 Instructional Delivery

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

#7 Communication

The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

#8 Assessment

The teacher understands various formal and informal assessment strategies and uses them to support the continuous development of all students.

Serving the Community

#9 Collaborative Relationships

The teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support student learning and well-being.

Finding Our Professional Selves

#10 Reflection and Professional Growth

The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates how choices and actions affect students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.

#11 Professional Conduct

The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.