PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Master of Education ("EdM") program is designed to prepare educators for important roles as educational leaders. Our program emphasizes reflective analysis as well as professional competence. Building on a foundation that places today's educational challenges in historical and social context, the EdM program offers opportunities for specialization in a growing number of fields including Professional Certification. We also offer endorsements in ELL, Reading, and Special Education.
- Admission Requirements
- Admission Procedures
- Application Deadlines
- Course Requirements
- Contact Information
- Endorsement Programs
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Master of Education Student Handbook
PROGRAM GOALS
- To encourage the development of leadership in professional educators
- To help practitioners understand and act upon an integration of theory and practice
- To deepen and enhance professional capacity through research, repertoire, and reflection
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the EdM program is grounded in pedagogical approaches that are grounded in "constructivism" (the belief that individuals construct meaning for themselves based on their experiences and formal and informal educational opportunities). Children are understood to be active learners whose cognitive growth is nurtured by sensitive facilitation in a supportive socio-educational community emphasizing individualization, student inquiry based on personal interests, respect for diversity, and cooperation and collaboration.
The EdM program is dedicated to enhancing full democratic participation by life within the context of historical, socio-political, philosophical, and theoretical foundations. It emphasizes assisting school personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to forge learning communities that will facilitate the success of all students in K-12 classrooms. The program follows the guidelines of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). It also attempts to address the needs and priorities of Southwest Washington communities.
The WSU Vancouver approach to teacher preparation places great importance on the existence of systematic field experiences and the incorporation of partner relationships with K-12 schools as essential foundations to the existence and maintenance of quality preparation programs for educators.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the Master of Education program requires:
- An earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the most recent 60 semester credit hours of graded coursework as calculated by the Graduate School
- Verification of prior certification as a teacher
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Required application materials include all of the following:
- Graduate School application (available online at http://www.gradsch.wsu.edu/howtoapply.htm) and $50.00 application fee
- Program application (available from Academic Coordinator Jill Homme 360/546-9075 or jhomme@vancouver.wsu.edu)
- Three letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant's capacity for graduate work and/or the teaching profession
- Professional statement outlining the applicant's professional goals and aspirations (no more than two pages)
- Statement of educational philosophy (no more than five pages)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
A three-person selection committee (formed on an annual basis to serve one full-year term) reviews application materials. Individuals may be invited to an interview with the committee and/or asked to complete a timed writing assignment as part of the application process.
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
- Fall admission: May 1st
- Spring admission: October 1st
- Summer admission: February 1st
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The EdM degree requires completion of a minimum of thirty-seven semester credit hours including required courses and electives. To provide flexibility for those with concurrent school responsibilities, courses are offered in the evenings during the academic year (fall and spring semesters). Summer classes are scheduled after the public school year ends and often meet during daytime hours in compacted time periods. Students may take courses at their own pace but must complete the program within six years. (Most teachers finish the degree in two or three years.)
INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM: 1 credit
One required course:
Course
Number Course
Title Credits T&L 565 (previously
T&L 521) Introduction to Scholarly
Inquiry (Students must take this course near the
beginning of their program) 1
FOUNDATIONAL CORE: 15 credits
Two required courses:
Course
Number Course
Title Credits Ed Ad 507 Social Foundations of
Education 3 EdPsy 502 Theoretical Foundations of
Learning and Instruction 3
Three elective courses (choose one from each of the three concentrations listed below):
Teaching in a
Culturally Diverse Society Teaching in a Democratic
Society Assessment of
Learning Sp Ed 301 Education of
Exceptional Children (3 credits) required for Special
Education endorsement Ed Ad 503 Values and Ethics
(3 credits) EdPsy 510 Assessment of
Learning (3 credits) required if not getting an
endorsement in conjunction with master's
degree T&L 507 Seminar in
Literacy in Multicultural Settings (3 credits) required
for Reading endorsement Ed Ad 506 Social Context of
Education (2 credits) Sp Ed 502 Assessment and
Curriculum for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
required for Special Education endorsement T&L 512 Language and
Cultural Factors in Mathematics (3 credits) Ed Ad 510 Improvement of
Instruction (3 credits) T&L 509 Curriculum and
Assessment for Bilingual/ESL Education ( 3 credits)
required for ESL endorsement T&L 537 Seminar in
Language, Literacy, and Culture (3 credits) required for
Reading endorsement Ed Ad 580 Policy Formation
in Education (3 credits) T&L 553 Assessment and
Instruction for Reading: K-8 (3 credits) required for
Reading endorsement T&L 549 Communicating in
a Multilingual Society (3 credits) required for ESL
endorsement Ed Ad 588 The Law and
Education (3 credits) T&L 580 Multicultural
Education in a Global Society (3 credits) Ed Ad 589 Leadership
Development Seminar (3 credits) T&L 586 Issues in
At-Risk Education (3 credits) T&L 521, 522, 523, or
524 Democratic Education (3 credits)
Check with Academic Coordinator Jill Homme for additional concentration options.
PROGRAM CONCENTRATION: 12 credits (minimum)
Concentration Total
Semester Credits Hours 12 13 25 Students may also work
with the Academic Coordinator to develop a "customized"
concentration such as Professional
Certification.
RESEARCH COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 9 credits
Course
Number Course
Title Credits EdPsy 505 Research Methods (Student
must take this course first in the Research
Core) 3 T&L 588 (or Ed Ad
536) Action Research: Teachers as
Research (or Introduction to Qualitative Research in
Education) 3 T&L 702 Master's Examination,
Directed Study, or Special Problems (This is the last
course students take in their program) 3
ENDORSEMENT PROGRAMS
After completing the endorsement program courses, students must pass the corresponding WEST-E (Praxis II) examination before the new endorsement will be granted. (Information about the exam is available online at www.ets.org/praxis/prxwa.html.)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who should apply?
- Certified teachers who are interested in furthering their career with a masters degree
- Certified teachers who wish to add a Reading, Special Education, or ESL endorsement
- Certified teachers who need Professional Certification
Can you describe the program?
- The Master of Education program is a non-thesis masters degree program
- Students may begin the program in any semester
- A minimum of 37 semester credit hours of course work is required
- Academic term (spring and fall) courses are offered in the evening
- Summer classes are condensed into six-week periods or less and often meet during daytime hours
- Students may complete the program at their own pace, but must finish within six years of the date classes begin. Most students complete the program in two or three years
What are the required sequenced segments of the program?
Introduction to the Program (1 credit):
- T & L 565 Introduction to Scholarly Inquiry (1 credit)
Foundational Core (15 credits):
- Ed Psy 502 Theoretical Foundations of Learning and Instruction (3 credits)
- EdAd 507 Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
- One course from each of three core areas: Teaching in a Culturally Diverse Society, Teaching in a Democratic Society, and Assessment of Learning (9 total credits)
Program Concentration Electives (minimum of 12 credits):
- ESL Endorsement (12 credits)
- Reading Endorsement (13 credits),
- Special Education Endorsement (25 credits)
- Students may also work with the Academic Coordinator for a customized concentration
Research Requirements (9 credits):
- EdPsy 505 Research Methods (3 credits) (taken first in this segment)
- T&L 588 Action Research: Teachers as Researchers or EdAd 536 Introduction to Qualitative Research (3 credits)
- T&L 702 Master's Examination (3 credits) (taken last in your program)
What are the prerequisites?
- Bachelors degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- GPA of 3.0 in the sixty most recent semester credit hours of graded coursework (as calculated by the Graduate School)
How do I apply?
- Submit EdM program application (available from Jill Homme at 360/546-9075 or jhomme@vancouver.wsu.edu) to WSU Vancouver College of Education
- Submit statement of professional goals and aspirations and statement of educational philosophy with program application
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Submit Graduate School application (available online at http://www.gradsch.wsu.edu.html)
- Submit official college transcripts to Graduate School
- Pay $50.00 Graduate School application fee
What are the deadlines?
- Fall admission: May 1st
- Spring admission: October 1st
- Summer admission: February 1st
Are there any tests I need to take?
- Students must pass the corresponding WEST-E (Praxis II) examination before any new endorsements can be granted: www.ets.org/praxis/prxwa.html
For student advising or information about
our Master of Education program, contact:
Jill Homme, Academic Coordinator Library Building Room 210-W Phone 360-546-9075 Email jhomme@vancouver.wsu.edu
Updated April 4, 2008 by WSUV College of Education Webmaster Debra Barnett
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