University of New England

Degree: Master of Science in Education (MSEd)

College: Arts and Sciences

Department: Education

Contact: Dr. Douglas Lynch (Chair)  dlynch@une.edu

Program Information
Overview
The Master of Science in Education with a concentration in teaching methodology is available to our graduate Teacher Certification students only.  This program is a 30-credit master’s degree encompassing 15 graduate credits from the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) and an additional 15 credits that have been designated as core courses delivered via on-line distance learning.  Initially students within this program will complete course work designed to satisfy Department and state requirements for certification in areas of elementary education (K-8), secondary education (7-12), or art education (K-12).  The remaining 15 credits will be completed following initial certification and will provide in-depth study in the areas of differentiation, classroom management, and research. 

Program Goals

• Allow UNE post-baccalaureate teacher certification students to build on their graduate –level teacher certification courses to complete a master’ degree
• Offer an innovative curriculum that presents the latest educational theories and the practical skills necessary to maximize performance and competency as professional educators.
• Enable teachers to complete academic work and degree studies in a time/place flexible manner utilizing primarily an online WebCT format.
• Establish a learning environment for teachers to become more reflective about their practice, and translate new insights into meaningful change.

Requirements

• Completed UNE’s Teacher Certification Program with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and no grade below a “C”
• Presently employed as a teacher or able to access a classroom on a regular basis over an extended period of time.
• Ability and discipline to pursue rigorous, self-paced, on-line graduate level studies.
• Interest in professional development and commitment to educational change.

Procedures and Policies

• A Continuance Application form should be submitted to the Chair of the Education Department to be accepted officially into this master’s degree program.  In addition, a meeting should be established with the program advisor to review requirements and outline the sequence of courses.
  
• If you are not currently employed as a classroom teacher you will need the following:

1. a statement of your plan to access a classroom;
2. a letter of invitation from the teacher in whose classroom you propose to work on a weekly basis, over an extended period of time; and,
3. a letter from the principal who is responsible for the school's instructional program, accepting your plan for access.

Transfer Credit 
No transfer credit will be applied to this degree.  

Advanced Standing/Experiential Learning

No credit for experiential learning or other forms of advanced standing will be given, as we believe full participation in the MSEd curriculum is necessary to achieve the desired integration of theory and practice the program provides.

Courses 
This master's degree program is designed as a two-step program for candidates entering as non-certified teachers. 
 
First, the student will elect the elementary certification, the secondary certification program, or the art certification program and will complete the total credits that are needed to become licensed as a teacher (potentially 27 credits of coursework and 15 credits of internship for elementary certification students; 18 credits of coursework and 15 credits of internship for secondary certification and art education students). 
 
The concentration courses for the master's degree in teaching methodology will be comprised of 15 credits of these initial teacher certification courses within UNE's Teacher Certification Program. 
 
The remaining 15 credits are designed to be taken generally after the student has attained a teaching position, and entails the student enrolling in three to six credits of coursework per semester (fall, spring, summer). 

Elementary Education

COMMON CORE   15 credits (each course is 3 credits)         
EDU 600 -  Teacher as Leader
EDU 610 - Differentiation Theory and Strategies     
EDU 615 - Motivational Theory/Classroom Management           
EDU 690 – Action Research/Case Study Research Classroom
EDU 695 – Portfolio
         
CONCENTRATION (from Elementary Certification Courses below) 15 credits
(a limit of 5 courses for a total of 15 credits applied to the master degree)    
EDU 502 - Curriculum Theory and Design      
EDU 510 - Exceptionality in the Classroom     
EDU 517 - Teaching Reading        
EDU 520 - Language Arts       
EDU 530 - Educational Assessment & Evaluation     
EDU 549 - Education Psychology & Classroom Management
EDU 561 - Teaching Social Studies Elementary School      
EDU 567 - Teaching Science in Elementary Schools     
EDU 573 - Teaching Elementary Mathematics      
           
Distribution:           
COMMON CORE         15         
CONCENTRATION      15          
DEGREE TOTAL         30

Secondary or Art Education

COMMON CORE    15 credits (each course is 3 credits each)         
EDU 600 - Teacher as Leader
EDU 610 - Differentiation Theory and Strategies     
EDU 615 - Motivational Theory/Classroom Management
EDU 690 - Action Research/Case Study Research Classroom  
EDU 695 - Portfolio

CONCENTRATION   (a limit of 5 courses for a total of 15 credits applied to the master degree)
EDU 502 - Curriculum Theory and Design         
EDU 510 - Exceptionality in the Classroom       
EDU 530 - Educational Assessment & Evaluation    
EDU 533 – American Education  
EDU 549 - Education Psychology & Classroom Management
Select One:
     EDU 536 - Teaching Secondary English  or     
     EDU 537 - Teaching Secondary Science  or  
     EDU 538 - Teaching Secondary Social Studies  or
     EDU 539 - Teaching Secondary Math   or
     EDU 541 - Methods of Art Education        
           
Distribution:           
COMMON CORE         15          
CONCENTRATION      15      
DEGREE TOTAL         30

Course Titles and Suggested Sequence—Elementary Education
The first two years will be dedicated to the student attaining his/her initial teaching license. Only 15 of these credits (internship credit can not be used) will apply toward the master degree.
 
Sample Sequence
Year 1
Fall Semester 
EDU 502, Curriculum Theory and Design - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
EDU 517, Teaching Reading - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
 
Spring Semester 
EDU 520, Language Arts - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
EDU 561, Teaching Social Studies - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
EDU 549, Educational Psychology & Classrm Management- 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
 
Summer Semester 
EDU 510, Exceptionality in the Classroom - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
EDU 530, Educational Assessment & Evaluation - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
 
Year 2
Fall Semester 
EDU 567, Teaching Science in the Elem. School - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
EDU 573, Teaching Elem. School Mathematics - 3 credits (required for K-8 certification)
 
Spring Semester 
EDU 490, Internship-15 credits- (not to be used toward the master degree) 

Important note: At this juncture, the student would become a certified teacher in the state of Maine. Fifteen credits from the above coursework, outside of the internship, will be able to be used toward the 30-credit master’s of science in education with a concentration in teaching methodology. The remaining courses would be completed while teaching within their classroom.

Summer Semester
EDU 600, Teacher as Leader (Core Course) – 3 credits

Year 3 
Fall Semester  
EDU 610, Differentiation Theory and Strategies (Core Course)  - 3 credits
EDU 615, Motivational Theory & Classroom Management (Core Course) - 3 credits
 
Spring Semester 
EDU 690, Action Res. & Case Study Res. for the Classroom (Core Course) - 3 credits 

Summer Semester 
EDU 695, Portfolio - 3 credits

Total - 30 credits 

Course Titles and Suggested Sequence—Secondary in English, History, Mathematics, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences (7-12) or Art Education (K-12)
The first two years will be dedicated to the student attaining his/her initial teaching license. Fifteen of these credits will apply toward the master degree.
 
Sample Sequence
Year 1
Fall Semester 
EDU 502, Curriculum Theory and Design - 3 credits (required for 7-12/K-12 certification)
EDU 533, American Education - 3 credits (required for 7-12/K-12 certification)
 
Spring Semester 
Choose the appropriate Secondary Methods Course - 3 credits (required for 7-12/K-12 art certification)
EDU 549, Educational Psychology & Classrm Man - 3 credits (required for 7-12/K-12 certification)
 
Summer Semester 
EDU 510, Exceptionality in the Classroom - 3 credits (required for 7-12/K-12 certification)
EDU 530, Educational Assessment & Evaluation- 3 credits (required for 7-12/K-12 certification)
 
Year 2
Fall Semester 
EDU 492 or 493,Internship - 15 credits (not to be used toward a master  degree)

Important note: At this juncture, the student would become a certified teacher in the state of Maine. Fifteen (15) credits from the above coursework, outside of the internship, will be able to be used toward the 30-credit Master of Science in education with a concentration in teaching methodology. The remaining courses should be completed while teaching within their classroom.
 
Year 3
Fall Semester 
EDU 600, Teacher as Leader – 3 credits
EDU 620, Differentiation Theory and Strategies (Core Course) - 3 credits

Spring Semester 
EDU 615, Motivational theory & Classroom Management (Core Course) - 3 cr.
EDU 690, Action Research and Case Study Research for the Classroom (Core Course) - 3 credits

Summer Semester 
EDU 695, Portfolio - 3 credits 

Total - 30 credits  

Nature of Field Experience 
Within each course in the concentration, there is an expectation of a minimum of 10-12 hours of fieldwork per class to meet the State of Maine's requirement of "early and on-going" clinical experiences in public school classrooms. The core courses are based in the classroom of the certified teacher.   

Academic Policies 
Course Withdrawal Policy
The last date to withdraw from a course with no record is the first day of course.
Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course.  Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal.  Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B or better) with no less than a “C” in any course. Failure to maintain a GPA of 3.0 will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Students receiving a grade below a “C” in a course must repeat the course before continuing on in the program.  If a student receives an “F” in any course he/she will be immediately placed on academic probation. This student must register and pass the failed course with grade of “C” or better before registering for any additional credits.  Unsuccessful completion (C- or below) of two courses will result in ineligibility to continue in the program.

If a student feels the grade is in error, the first step in the appeal process is to discuss the outcome with the course instructor.  If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, the student should follow the grievance policy outlined in the program of study found on the website.

Dismissal from the Program
Termination from the Program will occur when the Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Education Department become aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff.
• Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)
• Serious reservations identified on the Professional Performance Student Self-Assessment and Review instrument.
• Academic failure (see “Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress”.)

Timeline for Completion/Leave of Absence
Students may complete the program in two or three terms (i.e. one year beyond completion of the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) or less); students may “stop out” for one term if necessary, and take an additional term to complete the program. The required Request for Leave of Absence form must be filed with the MSEd office and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences if this will be occurring.  Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned; however, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Policy on leave of absence tuition credit is found in respective Financial Information sections of this catalog. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the office of the appropriate academic dean and the Education Department to indicate change of plans.

However, if a student has not completed the MSEd Program, Teaching Methodology within three (3) years, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission. Students may also take a slightly reduced course load in any term if necessary. These arrangements are the responsibility of the student and must be communicated to in writing to the graduate program coordinator.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Technology  Fee
A technology fee is required to help cover the costs of the Internet connections, student technology infrastructure, student web mail accounts and web mail administration for those students in the MSEd program.

Financial Aid
Students in one of the MSEd programs who are enrolled for at least three credits per semester may be eligible to receive financial assistance in the form of federal student loans. These loans may be used to pay the student's institutional charges each semester. For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

Graduation Requirements

• All MSEd degree candidates must fulfill the following academic requirements: Satisfactorily complete all required courses, readings, assignments and papers in a timely manner.
• Abide by all University regulations applicable to MSEd students.
• Fulfill all financial obligations in a timely manner.

Students With Disabilities
Students with disabilities who require accommodations or modifications should communicate their needs to the Director, Office of Students with Disabilities, University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005.

Communication 
The e-mail account is the official means for University communication. As such, students are responsible for information that is distributed to them via e-mail. This web-based e-mail account allows students to pick up their e-mail from any computer connected to the Internet.

Name and Address Changes
Students are responsible for notifying the University of New England Education Office and Registrar's Office of name, address, phone, and email changes through the Change of Address, Name, or Phone Form.
 
Technical Support for On-line Courses
Students who require assistance with access to the online core courses should address their computer access questions/problems to the 24/7 technical support help desk available through our service provider, eCollege.

Commencement 
Graduates are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremonies held in mid-May. They are notified of times and date when close to completing requirements for the degree.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2007-2008 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2007.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.