Description of Program
The MEd program is designed for students focused on developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for advance practice and leadership roles within diverse fields such as PK-12 education, higher education, and adult learning environments. In this program, you will critically analyze a broad range of theories, trends, practices, and knowledge specific to your areas of interest represented in a distinct specialization. Your specialization prepares you for making informed, ethical decisions and improvements to current educational, organizational, and societal issues.
Please be advised that this program is NOT accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and is NOT recognized for initial, additional, or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for P-12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website at http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=12.
Click here for potential career opportunities within the MEd.
Learning Outcomes
- Use technology to advance goals and outcomes in educational settings
- Investigate evidence-based solutions for addressing educational, organizational, and community issues
- Explain educational theories, research, and practices to diverse audiences
- Recommend solutions to ethical dilemmas in diverse educational and organizational settings
- Integrate professional standards into practice for leading and educating diverse groups
Basis for Admissions
Admission to a master’s program requires a conferred bachelor’s and/or a conferred master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution
Degree Requirements
Graduates of the University’s MEd program must complete 30 credit hours. Students will select a discipline-specific specialization of their interest, which complements the core coursework. The MEd program includes 9 credit hours of foundational courses. The foundational courses are taken by all students regardless of their undergraduate degree to form and strengthen fundamental skills. The next 18 credit hours in the program encapsulate a specialization aligned with a student’s career goals and interests. Specialization courses must be appropriate to the student’s degree program. Students end the program with a 3 credit-hour capstone course. Students who are considering any degree program are strongly encouraged to check specific state requirements carefully to be sure any degree program they consider will be accepted for purposes of certification or recertification, promotion, or advancement on school district salary schedules.
The MEd degree program has the following graduation requirements:
- A minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through University
- Successful completion of any PK-12 core course signature assignments with a “B” or better
- Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University
The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the Master of Education for graduate course work completed at an external accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit Policy for additional information.
Time to Completion
The University allows 5 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or less.
The median time to completion for this program is 21 months.
Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.
Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 18 months.
Additional MEd Information
Rio Salado College Post-Baccalaureate Transfer Students
The University’s Post-Baccalaureate Master of Education (36 credit) program of study is part of an articulation agreement designed for Rio Salado College (RSC) teacher preparation post-baccalaureate transfer students. This collaborative educational partnership is designed to serve as a master’s degree completion program specifically for RSC students. The Master’s Degree in Education allows for up to 18 credits to be transferred to the University embracing the principle that transfer students should not be required to repeat competencies already achieved.
The credits may apply to the following specializations:
- Curriculum and Teaching
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Education
- English as Second Language
- General Education
Rio Salado students pursuing this program of study should work closely with an enrollment advisor specifically assigned to work with this unique partnership. The enrollment advisor will work with Rio Salado students to request a complete evaluation of credits toward this Post-Baccalaureate Master of Education Degree.
Certification and Licensing
The Sanford College of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The MEd program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country. Certification requirements vary by state. Students are advised to contact their state department of education or local school district for guidance in obtaining certification or licensure, or for approval in fulfilling district level incentive programs. Prospective candidates are responsible for learning and following any requirements for licensure, recertification, etc. in the state(s) where they wish to apply the degree.
There are several reasons why an educator would want to pursue a graduate degree in education that does not lead to state licensing or certification.
Reasons may include:
- “Move up” steps on the salary schedule
- Improve skills and professionalism in general or to pursue a “leadership” position inside or outside the classroom (school-based or district level, or non PK-12)
- Advance as a “teacher leader” through a graduate degree (already has a bachelor’s degree and certification)
- Meet the needs of increasingly diverse students
- Work outside of a traditional PK-12 classroom environment (i.e. trainer, educational consultant)
Sanford College of Education Curriculum
The Sanford College of Education curriculum emphasizes a combination of learning theory, instructional strategies, and technology integration for educators working with any grade level, and within professional associations, organizations or as a consultant. The emphasis is on students transforming theory immediately into practice and faculty tailoring instruction to enhance student understanding and achievement. The program aims to produce graduates who understand the scope, pace, and magnitude of the transformation of education within the world that is taking place; and to assist students to meet the challenges of state and national standards (if desired), while meeting the learning needs of educators who work beyond the classroom.
State of the Art Content
The Sanford College of Education sequence of courses undergoes constant review to ensure that while maintaining depth of focus, the program continually includes latest educational innovations and provides participants the tools to incorporate them into pedagogy. The curriculum content and related URL links are current and pertinent. All Sanford College of Education courses are continually updated to reflect the latest developments in instructional technology to support instruction.
MEd students may select a specialization track from the list of courses offered via the Sanford College of Education. All MEd students are required to take ED-6500 as the Capstone Course for their program.
Course Sequence
The Master of Education program can be completed in 30 credits.
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