Teaching M.Ed.

Master of Education General Information 

(36 Semester Hours with Capstone Experience)

Goal of the Master of Education in Teaching Program (M. Ed. in Teaching):  The goal of the Master of Education in Teaching program is to create accomplished teachers who are reflective about their practice and who critically analyze what constitutes effective teaching and valuable learning.  Teachers will expand their instructional repertoires and master an expanding body of pedagogical knowledge while becoming deeply cognizant of the ethical and societal dimensions of education.  Teachers will understand that they are part of a global village which embraces diversity.  Teachers will draw on this knowledge to make principled judgments about their students and their instruction.  Teachers will use and understand research and the rule it plays in academic decisions and pedagogical practices.  These teachers will also collaboratively engage students, parents, colleagues, and communities in educative pursuits which foster partnerships and life-long learning.

Objectives of the Master of Education in Teaching Program (M. Ed. in Teaching):  In their teaching practice, degree candidates will:

1. Construct and utilize an educational philosophy which values reflection about practice and guides their instructional and professional decisions.
2. Integrate appropriate instructional strategies with subject-specific curriculum to facilitate disciplinary knowledge.
3. Use multiple methods to monitor student engagement and evaluate student learning; utilize student responses to modify and improve instruction and to provide constructive and timely feedback.
4. Understand and utilize strategies that demonstrate cultural competency, promote tolerance, and develop civic virtues.
5. Make knowledge accessible to all students through the use of research-based strategies which recognize the individual abilities and intelligences of all learners.
6. Understand and demonstrate the value of research in education.

The M. Ed. in Teaching Candidate must satisfy the following requirements as outlined in the Graduate Catalog in order to be admitted into and to pursue a Master of Education degree in Teaching:

 Step One:  Prior to first enrollment

• Meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College. 
• Completion of a minimum of 12 hours of education or psychology in order to take courses in professional education for credit. 
• Hold or be eligible for an Oklahoma standard teaching certificate or teaching license or be eligible for the Oklahoma alternative certification program with a plan of study for certification provided by NSU’s Certification Office or the Oklahoma State Department of Education Professional Standards on file with NSU’s Office of Teacher Certification and the Graduate College.
• Meet with your assigned advisor; sign a Statement of Understanding.
• No more than six credit hours will be allowed to be taken during a semester, for no more than two semesters, until being fully admitted into the program.

Step Two:  During first semester (It is recommended that all admission requirements be met prior to enrollment.)

Meet the following Program requirements:

• Within the last five years, take and have a satisfactory score on either the MAT or GRE. 
• Submit to Master of Education in Teaching Admissions Committee*
  • Three (3) sealed letters of recommendation and other included informational materials.
  • A statement of your educational philosophy.  (The statement is to be between one and two pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font with margins of 1 inch all around.) 
  • If going through alternative placement with the State Department, a letter of acceptance must be submitted with admission materials.
  • Official transcripts of all previous course work.
  • GPA requirement of
    • 3.00 overall, undergraduate, or
    • 3.25 in the last 60 credit hours, undergraduate or
    • Have an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

If the GPA requirements (see above) are not met, one of the following items must be satisfied:  (a) MAT – scaled score of 383, or (b) GRE – combined quantitative and verbal score of 288.

Scores from MAT/GRE must be less than five (5) years old

All materials are to be received by the Admissions Committee by 5:00 pm on October 1, March 1, or July 1. If these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the last business day prior to the holiday or weekend.  *Northeastern State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership, 717 N. Grand Ave., Tahlequah, OK 74464.  ATTN:  Master of Education in Teaching Program Admission Committee.

Admissions Committee

• All materials must be submitted by the applicant.
• A formal interview and/or other materials may be requested by the committee at its discretion.
• The Admissions Committee will review all materials and will make a recommendation concerning admission to a program.

Step Three:  Upon formal admission into the program, meet with your assigned advisor and complete the following:

• Degree Plan, and
• Any other required materials

Conditional Enrollment:  For those persons who wish to pursue a degree, but are not able to meet the requirements for the undergraduate GPA and/or MAT/GRE, conditional enrollment may be allowed as follows:

• A graduate program GPA of 3.5 must be obtained for twelve credit hours of course work taken at Northeastern State University, and all other admittance requirements must be completed during the first semester of enrollment.
• Full admittance will be considered by the Admissions Committee at the completion of 12 credit hours upon the written request of the student within the semester deadlines for admissions.
• No more than six credit hours will be allowed to be taken in any semester until fully admitted into the program.

Advisement:  An advisor is assigned to the student by the Graduate College when he/she is admitted to graduate studies. The student will arrange a conference with the contact person before first enrollment. The advisor will assist the student in the selection of classes each semester and is responsible for submitting to the Graduate College a degree plan which outlines all requirements the student must complete. A Statement of Understanding signed by the student and advisor must be submitted with the degree plan.

Admission to Candidacy:  For admission to candidacy students must complete the following requirements:

1. Meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College. 
2. Meet the program admission requirements. 
3. File a plan of study (degree plan) approved by the advisor, Program Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate College.
4. Complete and file a Statement of Understanding with the Graduate College.
5. File an application for Candidacy which can occur after nine (9) graduate credit hours have been earned at Northeastern State University.
6. A minimum graduate program GPA of 3.00 and professional habits and dispositions must be maintained.
7. Regardless of when admission to Candidacy is granted, 15 graduate credit hours must be earned after candidacy has been awarded.

Capstone Experience:  The capstone experience for this program is performance based. Students must enroll in the course EDUC 5733 the last semester of coursework. The student will complete a portfolio which will reflect the student’s entire course of study. The portfolio will be divided into three parts: (1) Self Evaluation, (2) Projects and Products, and (3) Culminating Project. The Culminating Project will be fulfilled in the student’s own school or district if the candidate is currently teaching. If the student is not currently teaching, arrangements must be made with the program chair. At the end of the capstone, the student will present the Portfolio and the Culminating Project to a panel consisting of: (1) The chair of the Masters of Education in Teaching Program (2) A Northeastern State University professor teaching in the Masters Teaching Program and (3) A public school teacher or administrative professional.

Other Requirements:

• I must complete Education 5733, Seminar as my capstone experience.
• I may earn no more than 12 hours each summer or 16 hours each semester.  Prior approval from the Graduate Dean is required for any overload.
• I may use a maximum of 3 semester hours of credit in workshops and 9 semester hours credit by extension toward graduation as approved by my advisor and Graduate Dean.
• I may transfer a maximum of 9 semester hours from other accredited universities, provided each transfer course has a grade of “B” or better.
• A minimum of 24 hours must be earned at Northeastern State University, including the final 9 semester hours.
• No work used for graduation may be older than 6 calendar years excluding time spent in the Armed Forces.
• I must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 in all graduate course work attempted. No grade less than a “C” may be used for graduation.