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 a 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 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 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 15 hours of coursework in research, human growth and development, technology, instructional methods and assessment (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 option may be completed as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (36 hours). These 21 hours, plus 12 additional hours in the M.A. Core and three hours in the M.A. Capstone may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
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 (36 hours). These 21 hours, plus nine additional hours in the M.A. Core, three hours in the M.A. Capstone, and a three hour advisor approved elective may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
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 (12 hours including CIME 670 Teaching Mathematics as the approved methods course) and capstone course (3 hours) for a total of 36 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 (15 hours), an individually tailored Area of Emphasis (18 hours), and the Capstone Experience (3 hours).
Instructional Processes and Strategies
This Area of Emphasis is designed to provide advanced preparation to enhance planning, teaching, and learning processes. These 18 hours, plus 15 hours in the M.A. Core, and three hours in the M.A. Capstone may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
Instructional Technology and Learning+
This Area of Emphasis focuses on instructional applications and classroom utilization of technology to improve teaching and learning. These courses may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (36 hours). These 21 hours, plus nine additional hours in the M.A. Core, three hours in the M.A. Capstone, and a three hour advisor approved elective may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
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 (36 hours). These 24 hours, plus nine additional hours in the M.A. Core and three hours in the M.A. Capstone may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
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 (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (36 hours). These 21 hours, plus 12 additional hours in the M.A. Core, and three hours in the M.A. Capstone may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
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. Both programs may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (36 hours). These 21 hours, plus nine additional hours in the M.A. Core, three hours in the M.A. Capstone, and a three hour advisor approved elective, may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
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. Both programs may be completed as a Graduate Certificate (21 hours) or may be used as an Area of Emphasis within the M.A. in Education (36 hours). These 21 hours, plus nine additional hours in the M.A. Core, three hours in the M.A. Capstone, and a three hour advisor approved elective, may be used to receive the M.A. in Education.
Plan of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EDF 621 | Educ Research & Writing | 3 |
| or EDF 625 | Qualitative Research Educ | |
| EDF 616 | Adv Studies Human Develop | 3 |
| or EDF 619 | Educational Psychology | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Appli Software Class Curr Area | ||
| Instructional Design & Tech | ||
| Using Internet in Classroom | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Instruct Models Assess Tech | ||
Approved methods course from Area of Emphasis | ||
| EDF 612 | Educational Evaluation | 3 |
| Area of Emphasis | ||
| Select one of the following: | 18-21 | |
| 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 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0-3 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
Satisfactorily completing a written comprehensive examination and three hours of approved coursework | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33-39 | |
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