Education, M.A.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements to Master’s Degree Programs
Applicants to the MA in Education should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.
For full admission, applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accepted, accredited institution with an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or have a master’s degree from an accepted, accredited institution.
Applicants having an undergraduate degree from an accepted, accredited institution with an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or above, but below 3.0, may be granted provisional admission. Provisionally admitted applications will be granted full admission upon successful completion of 12 hours toward the approved plan of study with a GPA of 3.25 or higher, assuming that all other admission requirements are met.
Note: Some areas of emphasis are designed to lead to added endorsements for licensed teachers. Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials, such as documentation of current teacher licensure, before an admission decision is made.
Certificate Program Admission Requirements
Prospective certificate-only students should apply for admission to Marshall University as a Certificate/Professional Development student and select, on the application form, the certificate they wish to pursue. Applicants must have:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accepted, accredited institution with an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale; or
- A master’s degree from an accepted, accredited institution.
Program Requirements
The Master of Arts in Education consists of a set of core course requirements, area of emphasis requirements, and a capstone experience. All students must complete 9 hours of coursework in research, educational foundations, technology integration (the M.A. core). Each student must also select an area of emphasis consisting of 18-21 hours of required coursework, depending on the area of emphasis. Students will meet the comprehensive assessment requirement through the framework of a 3-hour capstone experience.
Plans of Study for Areas of Emphasis, Professional Development Programs
Plans of study marked with a plus sign (+) are available as graduate certificate programs. Certificate coursework may be taken as a stand-alone program.
Plans of study marked with an asterisk (*) may lead to added endorsements for licensed teachers. Endorsement programs are available to teachers who hold a valid West Virginia professional license in any area other than the one for which endorsement is desired. Applicants from other states should verify eligibility for added endorsements through their state’s Department of Education.
Early Childhood Education
This Area of Emphasis combines theory, research, and practical applications to child development and early childhood education. Options are available for licensed PreK-K teachers pursuing an advanced degree or licensed elementary teachers seeking an added endorsement.
ECE Option 1 (PreK-K Licensed)
Option 1 is designed for teachers who hold a PreK-K professional license who wish to pursue an advanced degree, or non-licensed individuals who want to build their professional knowledge to better work with early learners in environments where teacher licensure is not required. This 18-hour option may be completed as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (30 hours).
ECE Option 2 (K-6/K-8 Licensed)+,*
Option 2 is designed for teachers who hold a K-6 or K-8 professional license who wish to add a PreK-K endorsement. This option may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (33 hours).
Elementary Mathematics Specialist+,*
The goals of this Area of Emphasis are to strengthen mathematical content knowledge, mathematical teaching methods, and mathematics leadership of elementary teachers, Grades K-6. This Area of Emphasis is designed for teachers who hold a valid professional license in Elementary Education. Satisfactory completion of the required courses and state licensure requirements leads to the addition of an Elementary Mathematics Specialist endorsement on an existing, current, regular, elementary education teaching license. To gain this specialist degree, the new endorsement must be associated with a master's degree. The courses for the endorsement are offered through two different avenues associated with a master's degree. Candidates can gain a master's degree in education by taking the required area of emphasis mathematics courses (21 hours) along with master's core courses (9 hours) and capstone course (3 hours) for a total of 33 hours of coursework. Or, if the applicant already has a master's degree in education that includes elementary education grades K-6, candidates can gain a graduate certificate by taking only the required area of emphasis mathematics courses for a total of 21 hours of coursework. After finishing the program through either of these two avenues appropriate to the candidate's educational background, candidates can apply for the Elementary Mathematics Specialist endorsement on their current, regular education, teaching license.
Individualized Plan of Study
Students selecting an individualized program must work with an advisor to develop a Plan of Study that includes the M.A. Core (9 hours), an individually tailored Area of Emphasis (18 hours), and the Capstone Experience (3 hours) for a total of 30 hours.
Instructional Processes and Strategies
This Area of Emphasis is designed to provide advanced preparation to enhance planning, teaching, and learning processes. This 18-hour specialization may be completed as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (30 hours).
Instructional Technology and Learning+
This Area of Emphasis focuses on instructional applications and classroom utilization of technology to improve teaching and learning. This specialization may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (18 hours) or as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (30 hours).
Mathematics Through Algebra I+,*
This Area of Emphasis is available to teachers who hold a valid professional license in any area other than mathematics. Satisfactory completion of the required courses and passing the Praxis II meets the requirements for this added endorsement in West Virginia. The goals of this Area of Emphasis are to provide mathematical content knowledge and mathematical teaching methods to prepare middle school mathematics teachers. These courses may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (24 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (33 hours).
School Library Media Specialist+,*
The Area of Emphasis in Library Media provides an added endorsement for elementary and secondary teachers who have met initial licensure requirements. The program prepares K-12 teachers to manage school library media centers, collaborate with faculty to support the school curriculum and facilitate information literacy. These courses may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (24 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis (21 hours) within the M.A. in Education (33 hours).
Teaching English as a Second Language: Option 1 - Licensure (ESL-1)+,*
The Area of Emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language offers two options. “Licensure” provides an added endorsement for elementary and secondary teachers who have met initial licensure requirements. The purpose of both programs is to prepare teachers who work with learners who enter schools with a language other than English. Option 1 may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (33 hours).
Teaching English as a Second Language: Option 2 - Non-Licensure (ESL-2)+
The Area of Emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language offers two options. Option 2 provides content and pedagogical training for educational professionals who are not licensed teachers, or who are seeking licensure through other means. The purpose of both programs is to prepare teachers who work with learners who enter schools with a language other than English. Option 2 may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (30 hours).
Plan of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EDF 622 | Action Research in Education | 3 |
| EDF 610 | Trends & Issues in Education | 3 |
| or EDF 619 | Educational Psychology | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Appli Software Class Curr Area | ||
| Instructional Design & Tech | ||
| Using Internet in Classroom | ||
| Area of Emphasis | 18-21 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Early Childhood Education | ||
| Elementary Mathematics Specialist | ||
| Individualized Plan of Study | ||
| Instructional Processes and Strategies | ||
| Instructional Technology and Learning | ||
| Mathematics through Algebra I | ||
| School Library Media Specialist | ||
| Teaching English as a Second Language - Licensure | ||
| Teaching English as a Second Language - Non-Licensure | ||
| Capstone Experience | 3 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30-33 | |
Plans of Study for Areas of Emphasis, Professional Development Programs
Located on the separate emphasis pages.
- Early Childhood Education Emphasis
- Elementary Mathematics Specialist Emphasis
- Individualized Plan of Study Emphasis
- Instructional Processes and Strategies Emphasis
- Instructional Technology and Learning Emphasis
- Mathematics through Algebra I. Emphasis
- School Library Media Specialist Emphasis
- Teaching English as a Second Language Licensure Emphasis
- Teaching English as a Second Language non-Licensure Emphasis
Areas of Emphasis
- Early Childhood Education, Emphasis in M.A.
- Elementary Mathematics Specialist, Emphasis in M.A.
- Individualized Plan of Study, Emphasis in M.A.
- Instructional Processes and Strategies, Emphasis in M.A.
- Instructional Technology and Learning, Emphasis in M.A.
- Mathematics through Algebra I, Emphasis in M.A.
- School Library Media Specialist, Emphasis in M.A.
- Teaching English as a Second Language - Licensure, Emphasis in M.A.
- Teaching English as a Second Language, Non-Licensure, Emphasis in M.A.