Master of Science in Education—Teacher Education

Dr. Marcia Matanin, Department Chairperson and Graduate Program Coordinator
2407 Beeghly College of Education
(330) 941-3255
mjmatanin@ysu.edu

Department of Teacher Education

Master of Science Programs

Introduction

The master's degree teacher education programs provide advanced professional preparation for teach­ers.  The Department of Teacher Education provides master's degrees in three specialty areas for post baccalaureate study toward the M.S. in Education: Content Area Concentration, Curriculum and Instruction, and Literacy. The Teacher Education Master's programs focus on the development of professional practitioners committed to quality teaching.  These professionals are committed to reflecting on, and applying knowledge, skills, and dispositions so that all students can learn. Central to the development of such professionals is the refinement of competencies in the areas of scholarship, teaching, leadership, management, communication, and interpersonal relations.  Professional practitioners are committed to the belief that all children can learn.

For more information about the Department of Teacher Education, please contact the Teacher Education Office at (330)-941-3251 or visit the Teacher Education website . 

Mission

The Department of Teacher Education’s mission is to empower teachers for professional prac­tice. The mission commits the faculty to a theme of critical reflective practice where candidates are engaged in activities that build on their knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to effective teaching.  Faculty members are committed to educating practicing professionals in the areas of: scholarship, teaching, leadership, management, communication, and interpersonal relations. The Department also offers a variety of professional development courses and workshops.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Master of Science in Education degree program in the Department of Teacher Education, the applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Regular Admission

In addition, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• qualification for a teaching certificate/license (Ohio provisional or equivalent) if enrolled in a program leading to additional certification, licensure, validation, or endorsement. How­ever, those individuals who have earned baccalaureate degrees but do not possess certifi­cates/licenses will be admitted on a case-by-case basis after review of their credentials and needs relative to specific career paths. (Please check the program descriptions to see additional program requirements for separate master’s strands in Teacher Education).
• A undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0.
• adequate preparation for the graduate program in which the student wishes to enroll, as evidenced by three professional recommendations.

Provisional Admission

For provisional admission, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• qualification for a teaching certificate/license (Ohio provisional or equivalent) if enrolled in a program leading to additional certification, licensure, validation, or endorsement.
• a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7, or a graduate grade point average of less than 3.0, then an MAT raw score of 39 (1992 norms) or an MAT scaled score of 394 (2003 norms) is required.
• adequate preparation for the graduate program in which the student wishes to enroll, as evidenced by three professional recommendations.

Once admitted provisionally, and after nine semester hours of graduate level work have been completed, the department automatically reviews the student’s record. If a GPA of at least 3.0 has been maintained, the student is converted from provisional to regular status. A provisional student whose GPA falls below a 3.0 will immediately be dismissed.

Non-degree Admission

For non-degree admission, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• qualification for a teaching certificate/license (Ohio provisional or equivalent) if enrolled in a program leading to additional certification, licensure, validation, or endorsement.
• a written statement verifying that he or she has a degree and an undergraduate grade point average of 2.7. An official transcript must be provided by the end of the semester in which the student is first enrolled for verification.
• an undergraduate grade point average of less than 2.7 or a graduate grade point average of less than 3.0, then an MAT raw score of 39 (1992 norms) or an MAT scaled score of 394 (2003 norms) is required.
• If the undergraduate grade point average is below 2.7 and the MAT score is below the cutoff score, admission is refused. If the graduate grade point average is below 3.0 and the MAT score is below the cutoff score, admission is refused.
• Workshop courses:
  • Anyone can sign up for credit-bearing workshops; however, in order to move those credits into a graduate program, the above applies
  • In order to move workshop credit into a graduate program, approval must be given in advance of the workshop
  • Only two YSU workshops totaling 6 hours may count in graduate programs

Non-degree status students may be blocked from enrollment in selected courses.

Non-degree students who later wish to earn a degree must make formal application for admis­sion to the degree program and meet all requirements of the regular admission process. Non-degree status performance may inform, but in no way assures, admission into the degree program.

Once admitted as a non-degree student, a maximum of nine semester hours of regular course graduate-level work may be applied toward a degree. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained in order to convert from non-degree to regular status. Any student in non-degree status whose cumulative grade point average drops below the minimum (3.0) will be prohibited from enrolling in further graduate coursework.

Accreditation

The master's programs in the Department of Teacher Education are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). http://www.ncate.org/. 

Content Area Concentration Program

The Content Area Concentration Program in Teacher Education provides in-depth advanced study in the content area in which a teacher is licensed.  Core requirements provide breadth of knowledge related to best practices in teaching, along with a research base for these practices.  The content area concentration provides in-depth content knowledge, and in some cases, leads to a content area certificate.  The completion of this master’s degree, along with the certificate, enables teachers to teach in the College Credit Plus Program. 

Candidates must purchase a TaskStream account at the beginning of their studies, which is necessary for our accrediti The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

Content Area majors are to consult with assigned graduate faculty advisors regarding the choice of content coursework.  For students choosing the CCP certificate programs, they are required to consult with the individual departmental graduate faculty or director for acceptance and advisement.  Please contact the Department of Teacher Education for CCP program director contact information. 

All candidates must take and successfully pass the Comprehensive Examination which covers the Core Requirements (TCED 6936, TCED 6933, TCED 6932, TCED 6922, and TCED 6905) in order to apply for graduation. Please see the Department of Teacher Education for applications, times, and dates for the examination.

Curriculum and Instruction Program

The Curriculum & Instruction program is a comprehensive program completely related to curriculum and instruction in the classroom.  Additionally, this programs gives students the opportunity to take other related courses of interest.

Candidates must purchase a TaskStream account at the beginning of their studies, which is necessary for our accreditation through The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

Curriculum and Instruction majors are to consult with assigned graduate faculty advisors regarding the choice of elective coursework. 

All candidates must take and successfully pass the Comprehensive Examination which covers the following coursework (TCED 6936, FOUN 6904, FOUN 6901 or FOUN 6902, and TCED 6922) in order to apply for graduation. Please see the Department of Teacher Education for applications, times, and dates for the examination.

Literacy Program

The Literacy Master and/or Reading (Pre K-12) Endorsement program specialty area prepares candidates to develop advanced cognitive and leadership skills appropriate for lead teacher, curriculum coordinator, and mentor in literacy.  Literacy professionals with an endorsement and/or master’s degree in literacy are responsible for meeting literacy needs of all students.  The standards and criteria for judging candidates are established by the International Literacy Association (ILA) and mandated by the Ohio Department of Education. 

Candidates must purchase a TaskStream account at the beginning of their studies, which is necessary for our accreditation through The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

All literacy candidates must pass a comprehensive examination covering all of the Specialty Area Courses.  Please see the Department of Teacher Education for applications, times, and dates.

“An endorsement of a teacher license, valid for teaching the subject or learners named, shall be issued to an individual who holds a baccalaureate degree; who is deemed to be of good moral character; who has successfully completed an approved program of preparation; who has success­fully completed an examination prescribed by the State Board of Education; and who has been recommended by the dean or head of teacher education at an approved institution. The endorse­ment may be added to any standard teaching certificate, or provisional or professional teaching license.” (From ODE, 2004, Teacher Education Licensure Standards)  The courses required for the Endorsement are TERG 6923, TERG 6924, TERG 6926, TERG 6927, and TERG 6928.

Passage of the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) is required by the Ohio Department of Education for the endorsement.  There are two parts to this examination:  OAE Reading-Subtest I (038) passing score of 220 or higher; and the OAE Reading-Subtest II (039) passing score of 220 or higher.  To register for the exams go to http://www.oh.nesinc.com. 

Learning Outcomes

• Advanced candidates think analytically and critically as they use research, theory, and wisdom of practice to inform pedagogy.
• Advanced candidates employ reflective professional judgment across all facets of practice. 
• Advanced candidates apply ethical and legal practices in performing professional responsibilities. 
•  Advanced candidates strive to meet the educational needs of all students or clients in a caring, nondiscriminatory, and equitable manner.
• Advanced candidates think in systemic, analytical, and collaborative ways about professional decision making & practice as leaders in their respective fields.
• Advanced candidates are proficient in the procedures, techniques, technologies, and methods of their respective fields.