Education (Master of Arts)

430 David M. French Hall
(810) 424-5215 or (810) 762-3260
Fax: (810) 424-5539 or (810) 762-3102
http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/education.htm

Education Graduate Programs Advisor: Rachel Gutierrez
Education Department Interim Chair: Mary Jo Finney

The Education Department of the School of Education and Human Services offers Masters of Arts programs in Early Childhood Education , Literacy (K-12) , Special Education and Technology in Education , a Master of Arts with Secondary Teacher Certification (MAC) and a post-master’s Education Specialist program. These degree programs provide advanced study for persons who wish to enhance their knowledge base and professional background in educational fields that have an urban focus. Endorsement programs for Early Childhood Specialist (ZS), Reading Specialist (BR), Cognitive Impairment Specialist (SA), Learning Disabilities Specialist (SM), and Educational Technology Specialist (NP) are embedded in the appropriate master’s degree programs and are also available as free-standing certification programs.

Endorsement and certification programs are responsive to changes mandated by the Michigan Department of Education. Students should consult the Graduate Programs website or their advisor for the most current information. Special announcements, such as changes in course scheduling, are sent to students’ university email accounts.

All Education graduate programs are designed to offer Students:

Awareness of the unique characteristics and needs of diverse student populations in an urban setting
Understanding of principles of motivation and learning and how these translate into the classroom
Awareness of the historical, sociological, political, and philosophical factors that promote equal educational opportunity
Opportunity to examine school and classroom environments and to develop strategies that will both improve instruction in elementary and secondary school settings and enhance University/school partnership opportunities
Enhanced skills as instructional decision makers
Theoretical and practical information on both integrated and discipline-based curriculum models
Pedagogical-content knowledge necessary to make appropriate instructional decisions
Exposure to current research and theory in education
Knowledge and experience with a variety of educational research techniques
Opportunity to enhance multidisciplinary understandings through integrated and cross-discipline study

Department Mission and Program Assessment

The mission of the Education Department’s teacher education program is to prepare teachers and educational personnel who understand and value the disciplines they teach; comprehend psychological principals and variations of human development, behavior, and potential; recognize factors that promote equal educational opportunity; possess necessary pedagogical-content knowledge; discern ethical obligations; and can demonstrate their ability to use their knowledge in working with children. The program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/.

Admission Requirements for Education Graduate Programs

Applications for all MA in Education programs, except the MA in Technology in Education Global Program, the Secondary MAC program and the Education Specialist program must be received by August 1 for Fall semester, by November 15 for Winter semester, by March 15 for Spring term, and by May 15 for Summer term. The Technology in Education Global Program accepts applicants for Spring of odd-numbered years; application materials must be submitted by January 1 for the upcoming Spring. The Education Specialist and Secondary MAC programs are cohort groups and accepts applications for Fall semester with an application deadline of August 1. Admission for all programs is selective and is determined by the Education Department.

Applicants for all MA programs must meet the following requirements to apply for admission:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
A teaching certificate is required for MA programs in which a student is seeking a state endorsement. The Literacy and Special Education programs require prior teaching certification. Students may be admitted to Early Childhood Education and Technology in Education without teacher certification if they do not wish to earn an endorsement.
A 3.0 or higher undergraduate overall grade-point average based on a 4.0 scale.
Completion of an application form for the Education Master of Arts Programs (available in the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 FWTL). This application must be accompanied by:
- An official transcript from each college or university attended
- Updated resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- A personal statement of purpose
- A copy of a currently held teaching certificate (certified teachers only)
- A $55 application fee
For students applying to the MAC program:

A passing score on the MTTC subject area test for the area in which the teacher candidate is seeking certification.
Successful completion of a criminal background check that includes fingerprinting, at the candidate’s expense.

Applicants for the Education Specialist program must meet the following requirements to apply for admission:

A MA or MS degree from an accredited institution in education or a related field.
A 3.0 or higher undergraduate overall grade-point average based on a 4.0 scale.
At least three years experience in an educational setting.
Completion of an application form for the Education Specialist Program (available in the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 FWTL). This application must be accompanied by:

An official transcript from each college or university attended
Updated resume or curriculum vita (CV)
Copy of teaching certificate, or equivalent proof of work experience in an educational setting
Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from a professor in a class taken at the graduate level, addressing your potential for success in the program
An essay of at least 1000 words addressing your leadership capabilities and goals
Educational Leader Evaluation completed by candidate’s supervisor
A $55 non-refundable application fee

Grading System

A nine-point scale is used for University of Michigan-Flint graduate programs. (See Graduate Study ). A cumulative GPA of at least 5.0 (B) and passing grades in all courses are required for all programs. When a graduate course is repeated (due to a poor grade), both grades are listed on the transcript and averaged into the cumulative GPA. Individual programs may have additional grade requirements. Please contact the programs directly.

Academic Rules and Regulations

The Master of Arts in Education programs require a minimum of 33 to 36 credits of coursework at the graduate level. The Early Childhood Education endorsement (ZS) requires 27 graduate credits. The MA in Special Education is 36 credits, of which 33 lead to the endorsement. A second Special Education endorsement may be completed with a minimum of 18 additional credits.

All graduate level courses are numbered 500 and higher and are open only to graduate students. Students must be formerly admitted to the program for which they have completed degree requirements to be recommended for graduation.

Contact the Office of Graduate Programs for further information concerning academic rules and regulations.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

A student in any master’s program is expected to complete all work within five years from the date of first enrollment in the program. Students exceeding this time limit must file a petition with the SEHS Academic Standards Committee. Petitions must describe explicitly the amount of work remaining and a timeline for completion. A student who fails to complete degree requirements within five years may be withdrawn and required to reapply for readmission. Courses that are older than five years may not be counted toward degree requirements.

Transfer of Credit
Up to six (6) hours of graduate credit (including coursework as a UM-Flint non-candidate for degree or “Lifelong Learning” student) may be accepted for transfer into Education Master of Arts programs. Up to six semester graduate credit hours earned at an accredited institution following completion of an MA or MS degree may be accepted for transfer into the Education Specialist program. All credit transfers must be approved by the Education Graduate Programs Director. Students seeking to transfer credits not designated as program requirements or electives should contact the Director.