The
Master of Education Program
Program
Objectives
The
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Program
utilizes online technology and emphasizes coursework in leadership, management
and instruction in a variety of educational and public service settings.
Virtually all assignments are submitted electronically. The Program is
of particular interest to individuals with public or private school teaching
experience who are desirous of improving their classroom instructional skills,
increasing their knowledge of educational administration and advancing on their
district’s compensation schedules.
The objectives of the Program are as follows:
1. To offer a program of coursework and practical exercises in leadership,
management and instruction that will enhance the professional and personal lives
of its students;
2. To prepare professional educators to serve the needs of both public and private institutions from the elementary to postsecondary level in their community and beyond; and
3. To improve general educational skills allowing students to advance on school district compensation schedules.
The
Program is designed to service a national market and does not purport to provide licensure or credential certification in any particular state. Applicants interested in initial licensure or credential certification are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) before enrollment.
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The
Master of Education Program
Presentation
The
Program is presented on a trimester basis. Students are generally enrolled in 10 units per trimester. Each trimester consists of a minimum time period of
16 weeks from the date study commences. Students not completing all trimester coursework in the
16-week period will be granted an automatic 32 week extension of time to complete the trimester. Students may take a leave-of-absence between trimesters. However, except in special circumstances, the entire degree program (3 trimesters) must be completed within 5 years.
The Program utilizes a directed independent study modality and requires no classroom attendance.
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The
Master of Education Program
Admission Policies and Requirements
Regular
Applicants
Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s
degree from a college or university
accredited by an accrediting agency
recognized by the United States
Department of Education and are
currently employed in public or
private education at the elementary,
secondary or higher education level
are considered regular applicants to
the
Program. The majority of
applicants to this
Program are adults working in
a variety of professional education
settings. Consequently, prior class
rank and/or grade point average are
not significant factors in the
admission process.
Special Applicants
An individual not qualifying as a
regular applicant may apply as a
special applicant. Special applicants
are evaluated on a case-by-case basis,
but must have an academic background
equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
earned in the United States. (This
could be a degree earned outside the
United States or a combination of
academic units earned and professional
employment experience.) As a general
rule, special applicants should also
have the equivalent of three years of
related experience in education.
Special applicants who are admitted
without significant related work
experience should expect to devote a
significantly greater amount of time
to the coursework.
Transfer Credit
No academic credit can be granted for coursework completed at other institutions.
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The
Master of Education Program
Directed Independent Study
The Directed Independent Study process developed by the University has four major
elements:
(1) Distance Education;
(2) Independent Self-Study;
(3) Senior Faculty Advisors; and
(4) Faculty Mentors.
Distance education is education designed for students who live at a distance from the University facilities. It is a process that provides organized, formal learning opportunities for its students. This program is an online program in which virtually all assignments are submitted electronically.
Independent self-study recognizes that education is an individual process where individuals with different learning needs and
study schedules can be accommodated. It emphasizes learning that is meaningful, where individuals enjoy the learning process, and acquire knowledge to better understand and manage their own careers.
Senior Faculty Advisors assist
Faculty Mentors in developing comprehensive course outlines and assist in documenting that the respective courses are comparable to similarly titled courses in other well respected accredited institutions with respect to course content and expected student learning outcomes. Senior Faculty Advisors may also be retained for special purposes including, but not limited to, developing effective assessment procedures and technology development. Senior Faculty Advisors do not normally have teaching or student contact responsibilities.
The
Program’s Faculty Mentors
support the student’s
independent-study learning role by
guiding and stimulating the learning
process in one-on-one interaction. Our
faculty mentors recognize individual
learning styles and needs, encourage
one-on-one contact, and emphasize the
relevance of the material to the
individual's situation.
Each course in the
Program contains a series of lesson assignments generally consisting of reading requirements and research projects. Students are evaluated through examinations and/or research assignments which are submitted for faculty evaluation.
All assignments are submitted
electronically. As set forth in the
University’s General Catalog,
Internet access and minimum computer
skills are required as a condition of
admittance.
Shortly after enrollment in the
Program, the student in
collaboration with a faculty member
agree on a plan for the completion of
the degree requirements. The degree
completion plan will include a
projected timetable for completion of
the
Program, selection of
electives, and communication with
faculty and staff. While the plan can
be modified in the future, experience
has shown this type of planning
increases a student’s probability of
success.
The University believes evidence of
computer literacy is required to earn
a credible graduate degree in any
discipline. Technology also plays an
important part in a student’s
ability to communicate with
administration, faculty, and fellow
students. Accordingly, all students
must have access to a computer with
the minimum specifications set forth
in the University’s
General
Catalog. Students are not expected to be computer experts. However, all students must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows®, Microsoft Word®, access to the Internet, and e-mail.
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The
Master of Education Program
Curriculum
The
following courses are required for
the Master of Education Program.
Click on the course title for a description
of the course.
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The
Master of Education Program
Degree Requirements
To earn the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, a student must complete a minimum of 30 semester units including the core courses set forth
above
with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. The requirements may be completed in as little as twelve months, and must be completed within five years from the date of initial enrollment.
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The
Master of Education Program
How
to Enroll
To apply for admission to the Master of Education Program, an applicant must first complete the University’s
Application for Admission Form
and submit it to the Admissions Office. There is no application fee.
It is not necessary to submit official transcripts at the time of application. (However, official transcripts must be received by the University within 45 days of enrollment. The University provides students with a form which may be used for this purpose.)
If the applicant is accepted for admission to the
Program, an enrollment commitment form will be prepared and sent to the applicant. At the time the commitment material and the $100.00 commitment fee are received by the Admissions Office, a formal enrollment agreement will be prepared and sent to the applicant for review and signature. All payments submitted for tuition and fees must be payable in U.S. dollars. Payments may be made by
MasterCard®
/ Visa®
/
American Express® or personal/business check.
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The
Master of Education Program
Financial Information
The
tuition for the Program is $275.00 per semester unit ($2,750.00 per trimester).
Tuition rates are “locked” for two years at the time of
matriculation. An enrolled student will be protected from future tuition increases during this period of time.
Additional information on financial
aid and tuition financing can be found
under Tuition,
Financial Aid and Financing.
The Master of Education Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Q. How long does it take to complete the Program?
A. The University's commitment to the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council precludes any student graduating from a University degree program in less than one year. Students may take as long as five years to complete the
Program.
2. Q. In terms of educational quality, is DETC accreditation equivalent to regional accreditation?
A. Yes, the official at the United States Department of Education responsible for the recognition of accrediting bodies has written that recognition granted by the Secretary of Education to DETC is “identical” to regional accrediting bodies. We can provide employers with a copy of this letter. The Council on Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA) holds a similar view.
3. Q. Will the completion of any of these courses apply towards a teaching and/or administrative credential?
A. Each state has its own set of criteria for the issuance and renewal of credentials.
Prospective students interested in the credential process should check with the Credential Commission within their State's Department of Education for detailed information before
enrollment. The University will assist students in providing any reasonable information that may be required in the credential process.
4. Q. I work for a school district...can I receive salary credit for completion of the entire master's program or individual courses?
A. Salary credits are generally a result of labor agreements in place between a school district and professional associations such as teacher groups. The agreements sometimes delineate eligible coursework and/or institutions where they can be taken. Past experience has shown that the great majority of districts will allow salary credit if you complete coursework at the University. Additionally, many school districts award salary credit on a case-by-case basis. The University will assist you in your efforts in applying for salary credit and will supply you or your school district with any reasonable documentation.
5. Q. Can I take just one course?
A. No. Students are enrolled on a trimester basis, which normally includes three courses. However, a student who elects not to continue the
Program after the completion of a trimester has no financial obligation to the University beyond the current trimester.
6. Q. Will I be able to transfer courses completed in the Program to other colleges or universities?
A. In the United States, the acceptance of transfer credits between institutions lies within the discretion of the receiving college or university taking into account such factors as course content, date completed, grades, and accreditation. In spite of the view of the U.S. Department of Education that all accreditation recognition is equal, some institutions have very restrictive policies for accepting transfer credit – particularly at the graduate level. If you plan to transfer or enroll in a doctoral program at a later date, you are urged to check with the other
institution(s) before enrollment in the
Program.
7. Q. Is there a need to come to the University on a regular basis?
A. No. Academic and administrative procedures are carefully designed so that students can complete coursework entirely through directed independent study, without unreasonably disrupting their professional and family lives.
8. Q. Why does the University recommend a minimum of three years occupational experience in education for this Program?
A. The
Program emphasizes real world experience in educational settings. Therefore, those with related experience will find the coursework very relevant. Without such experience, students may find it more difficult to relate the coursework to their professional settings.
9. Q. Will I need to complete courses pursuant to a rigid timetable?
A. No. Each trimester must generally be completed in not less than 16 weeks nor more than 48 weeks. However, completion of assignments within this time period is at the discretion of the student. There are no assignments that must be submitted on a weekly or monthly schedule and students may take time off between trimesters. However, except in special circumstances, the degree program must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation.
10. Q. How soon can I get started?
A. The University maintains open enrollment throughout the year. After receipt of a complete
Application for Admission, approved applicants are mailed enrollment materials for their review and signature. Should the Admissions Office have any questions, the applicant will be contacted. Applications are reviewed weekly and most students commence study within three weeks from the date of application.
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