Dr. Diana Wagner, Program Advisor
410-677-5490 • dmwagner@salisbury.edu
Advisement for the program is available from the Education Leadership Department.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a professional degree designed for candidates seeking advanced preparation in the education professions. The curriculum includes fundamental, theoretical and practical experiences within specific areas of study. The M.Ed. program promotes continuing professional development and life-long learning for teachers and educational leaders. This is consistent with the recognition that capable and caring educators are necessary for students at all ages, ranging from the very young through adulthood. General objectives are as follows:
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Provide candidates an opportunity for personal and professional growth through graduate study.
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Provide classroom teachers and educational specialists opportunities to develop and improve competencies in their specific disciplines.
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Provide educators with opportunities for additional preparation needed for professional development and career advancement.
Post-Secondary Education Track
The Post-Secondary Education Track is designed for individuals pursuing advanced degrees for jobs in higher education or other agencies. Practicing teachers or individuals who hold or are eligible for teaching licences should apply as curriculum and instruction students.
Application to SU
Candidates who indicate on their initial Application for Graduate Program Admission that they wish to pursue the Master of Education (M.Ed.) will be assigned an advisor in the department and receive M.Ed. application materials. Admission to the M.Ed. program requires completion of the online application; application fee; official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended; resume; if applying for in-state tuition, a Residency/Domicile Information Form; and additional application documents and requirements described here:
Admission to the Program
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Submit a written description of the reasons for pursuing graduate study in education and a statement of career goals.
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Submit three recommendations in support of the application. Recommendations must be positive and support the ability of the individual to succeed in graduate study. Recommenders must be qualified persons in positions that allow them to judge the applicant’s academic potential, deportment and dispositions.
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Complete and submit a plan of study approved and signed by the student’s assigned advisor.
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Possess either an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or a previously completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
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Possess or be eligible for valid teaching licensure (not applicable to post-secondary applicants).
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Academic misconduct is a disqualifying condition. Academic misconduct is defined by the University and published by the provost in the Academic Misconduct Policy.
Applications are submitted electronically to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and materials are provided to the program director for admission review. Once reviewed, the program director formally notifies applicants of admission or denial to the program. If a student is denied admission, he or she may not reapply for admission for one year. During that time, he or she may not take M.Ed. graduate courses. Following the review of these materials, the program director formally notifies applicants of admission or denial to the program. If a student is denied admission, he or she may not reapply for admission for one year. During that time, he or she may not take M.Ed. graduate courses.
Although candidates may register for courses as non-degree- seeking students, they are expected to complete the process for full admission into the M.Ed. program, including the development of a program of study, prior to the completion of the first nine credits of graduate coursework. A maximum of nine hours of credit earned at Salisbury University prior to admission to the M.Ed. program may be applicable toward requirements for the degree, provided such credits are appropriate for the degree program.
Questions regarding the applicability of courses taken as a non-degree graduate student will be resolved by the M.Ed. graduate program director.
Provisional Admission
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Applicants who have a 2.50 to 2.99 cumulative undergraduate grade point average upon completion of the baccalaureate degree may be provisionally admitted to an M.Ed. program under the following circumstances:
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The student has achieved a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the last two years of full-time undergraduate study, or
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The student has completed nine credits of graduate study in a nationally accredited program with grades no lower than a B.
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Applicants who have less than a 2.50 cumulative undergraduate grade point average upon completion of the baccalaureate degree may be provisionally admitted to an M.Ed. program under the following circumstances:
Once provisionally admitted, candidates must complete their first nine consecutive credit hours of graduate study at Salisbury University with no grade below B. Upon successful completion of nine credit hours, candidates are eligible for full admission to the M.Ed. program. Candidates who have not met the provisional admission requirement of achieving nine credit hours with grades of B or above are not eligible for admission.
Program of Study
Prior to admission to the M.Ed. program and registration for courses, it is the candidate’s responsibility to become familiar with program requirements and to confer with the assigned faculty advisor to develop a program of study. The program of study identifies core courses, courses in the specific track or specialization the candidate will follow, recommended Electives and the intended capstone experience. Advisors must approve candidates’ programs of study. Program changes must also be approved by advisors.
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The M.Ed. program consists of 9 hours of core courses, 18 hours of study in a specific area and three to six hours in a capstone experience and is designed for currently licensed and practicing teachers.
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Specific Electives are approved for each student. Accordingly, candidates consult with their advisors to determine appropriate Electives for their area of study. When appropriate to the area of study, Electives may be chosen from education courses, special topics courses or from graduate courses offered in programs outside of education.
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The M.Ed. program culminates with a capstone experience selected from advanced seminars, internships, thesis research or practicum courses. Candidates plan an appropriate capstone experience in consultation with their advisor. Candidates who elect the thesis research option enroll in EDUC 630 - Directed Research (thesis), and submit the completed project to the project director. Candidates must also satisfactorily complete an oral examination on the project to be scheduled through the faculty advisor after completion of the project. Candidates must complete at least 24 credits before selecting capstone course.
Program Policies
- Complete an approved program of study, including at least 33 semester hours of graduate credit (a minimum of 24 hours completed at SU).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no grade lower than C and no more than 6 credit hours of C or C+ in their program.
Academic Standards
The Graduate Student Handbook states: “To remain in good academic standing, graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate courses.” In the M.Ed. programs, students may not receive more than two grades of C or C+ in their graduate coursework. If students receive a third C and/or C+, they will be dismissed from the program. If they wish to retake a course to improve their grade, they may take that course in the next semester of study. No other courses may be taken concurrently in this instance. Students will be reinstated if they receive a B or better when the course is retaken.
If graduate students’ GPAs fall below 3.0, they will be placed on academic probation. Following the University’s policy, students will be placed on academic probation for a maximum of one calendar year and are allowed to take up to nine semester hours, which includes a repeated course, to return their GPA to 3.0. Students and applicants are referred to the Graduate Student Handbook for information on academic standards.
National Board Certification Credit
Salisbury University recognizes the significant intellectual and practical accomplishments represented by successful completion of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification process. Consistent with this recognition, and with the recommendation by the American Council on Education, teachers who have completed the NBPTS process can petition for graduate credit to be applied as elective transfer credit in their Master of Education program. Teachers who have completed the NBPTS process and have achieved certification may petition for six hours of graduate credit. Those who have completed the process without certification may petition for three hours of graduate credit. Credit for completion of the NBPTS process with or without certification requires a valid transcript. While a student may petition for credit, the graduate program director, in consultation with the student’s advisor, will make the final determination of appropriate credit with respect to a particular student’s program.
Checklist
This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.
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