Master of Arts in Education
Program Goals

This Master’s program is designed specifically for practicing teachers in P-12 classrooms. Additionally, this program is designed for teachers who work full-time. All courses are offered online. Scholars enter the program and proceed through the courses as members of a cohort, providing a close network of peers. The Master of Arts program in Education is a 36- semester-hour program, which includes eleven content courses in the program and a thesis project.

Scholars can expect to complete the program in seven semesters. This option is well-suited to teachers balancing professional and personal responsibilities with graduate study.

Master of Arts in Education Scholar Outcomes

• Scholars become positive change agents in the school environment through collaboration, community building, the use of technology, and best practices that enhance the teaching and learning process.
• Scholars demonstrate an awareness of the national standards in education and demonstrate skills in the application and integration of new technologies to enhance the teaching and learning processes.
• Scholars demonstrate skills in the design, implementation, and presentation of an action research project or thesis developed expressly to improve classroom instruction and student learning outcomes.
• Scholars develop an understanding of leadership contributions made by all teachers related to their roles in the classroom, the school, the district and the profession.
• Scholars demonstrate skills in developing, implementing and assessing curricular and instructional plans that integrate disciplines, apply current educational research findings, encourage parental involvement, consider students’ current developmental levels, and exhibit sensitivity to individual student differences and cultural backgrounds.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Program Goals

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in education is designed to prepare leaders who will advance educational theory, practice, and policy through scholarship and disciplined inquiry. Graduates assume leadership roles in university, educational agency, and K-12 settings. Within the framework of the program requirements and with the advice and approval of a doctoral guidance committee, Scholars have flexibility to several courses as a part of their elective program that is commensurate with their academic needs and professional goals.

Such programs usually involve at least three years of course work beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Scholars are expected to spend at least two consecutive semesters in full-time study, participate in research, become familiar with contemporary problems in education, and take a comprehensive exam prior to writing a dissertation. The Ph.D. degree program requires a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Up to 30 hours earned as part of a master’s degree in the same discipline as intended program of study may be used to satisfy part of the core requirement, with the approval of the major professor and the Graduate Committee and Graduate Dean.

PhD Scholar Outcomes

• Scholars will become major contributors to the academic knowledge pool through collaborating with intellectual peers on the local and national level.
• Scholars will assess the national standards to identify an appropriate method of implementing those in their unique situation in the educational system.
• Scholars will enhance the teaching and learning process by helping students to develop appropriate skills to conduct research and analyze research based data in the educational arena.
• Scholars will enhance the teaching and learning process by helping students to develop appropriate skills to conduct research and analyze research based data in the educational arena.
• Scholars will investigate current research findings to strengthen their understanding of effective leadership and help educators to recognize their leadership abilities.

Scholars will design project and conduct research on various problems that confront educators in P-12 as well as higher education.