Education (Master of Arts)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Early Childhood Concentration MA

This concentration is designed for individuals who currently have or are seeking careers as educators of young children, birth through eight years of age. It focuses on educational issues and practices appropriate for this population. Coursework outside of the concentration strand has been designed to support and enhance the concepts presented. Students select the thesis option (33 credits) or non-thesis option (36 credits). Individuals who wish to pursue a research career, administrative position and/or doctoral degree in education are encouraged to select the thesis option. The program complies with the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Early Childhood Education concentration is open to individuals who hold elementary teaching certification. Individuals with extensive backgrounds in child development who do not hold an elementary teaching certificate may also be considered for admission. Upon successful completion of the concentration, the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education (Test Code 82), and a minimum of 150 contact hours with each of two of the three following age groups: infant-toddler, preprimary, and K-3rd grade, graduates with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan will be eligible for a certificate endorsement in early childhood education (coded ZA in Michigan).

Requirements.

Core education courses (6 credits).
EDE 500 or EDE 601 ; EDE 670 .
Early childhood education strand (18 credits).
1. ECE 500 , ECE 522 , ECE 541 , ECE 645 .
2. Two from: ECE 520 , ECE 649 , ECE 660 , ECE 661 , ECE 662 ; EDE 545 , EDE 580 , EDE 585 ; EDN 510 ; EDR 520 , EDR 530 , ECE 645 .
  Students who do not have the State of Michigan Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA) and who wish to receive it with this degree program must elect two courses from ECE 660 , ECE 661 , ECE 662 . Students who already have the ZA endorsement can elect any 6 credits from the list.
Cognate courses (6 credits).
Two from: LIN 520 , LIN 521 ; PSY 500 .
Thesis or non-thesis option (33-36 credits).
1. Non-thesis option (6 credits). Additional courses listed under A or B2 above, and/or ECE 520 .
2. Thesis option (3 credits). EDE 698 (prerequisite: completion of at least 24 credit hours).

Early Childhood Certificate Endorsement

This 21-credit-program is developed for individuals who hold elementary teaching certification and wish to add the Early Childhood endorsement to their teaching certificates. All coursework applied toward the endorsement may also be applied toward a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Upon successful completion of the endorsement program and the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education, individuals will be eligible for a certificate endorsement in early childhood education (coded ZA in Michigan). A minimum of 300 contact hours in two of the three following age groups: infant-toddler, pre-primary and K-3rd grade (150 hours in each setting selected). Students should consult an early childhood advisor before registering for field courses.

Requirements.

Core early childhood courses (12 credits).
ECE 500 , ECE 522 , ECE 541 , ECE 645 .
Field Experiences (6 credits).
Two from: ECE 660 , ECE 661 , ECE 662 . Each includes a minimum of 150 contact hours with one of the age groups: infant-toddler, preprimary, and grades K-3.
Electives (3 credits).
One from: ECE 500 , ECE 520 ; EDE 601 , EDE 545 (prerequisite: EDE 432 / EDE 532 ), EDE 585 ; EDN 510 ; EDR 520 , EDR 530 , EDR 535 , EDR 645 ; LIN 520 , LIN 521 ; PSY 500 .

Literacy (K-12) Concentration MA

This concentration offers courses that focus on issues and practices related to an integrated language arts curriculum, and material, and prepares teachers for Reading Specialist endorsement. Material is considered in terms of learners from diverse backgrounds and school settings. Coursework outside of the concentration strand has been designed to support and enhance the concepts presented. Students select the thesis option (33 credits) or non-thesis option (36 credits).

The concentration prepares individuals with elementary or secondary teaching certification to apply for Reading Specialist endorsement. Individuals who wish to pursue a research career, administrative position and/or doctoral degree in education are encouraged to select the thesis option. The Literacy concentration complies with the guidelines on Advanced Reading Education of the International Reading Association.

Requirements.

Core education courses (6 credits).
EDE 500 or EDE 601 ; EDE 670 .
Literacy strand (18 credits).
1. EDR 543 , EDR 544 , EDR 641 , EDR 645 .
2. Two from: EDR 520 , EDR 530 , EDR 532 , EDR 535 , EDR 537 , EDR 699 ; EDR 546 / ENG 512 ; EDE 580 ; EDT 641 ; ENG 532 , ENG 533 ; ENG 534 / THE 534 .
Cognate course (6 credits). LIN 520 , LIN 521 .
Thesis or non-thesis option (33-36 credits). Students must select either the 36-credit non-thesis option or the 33-credit thesis option.
1. Non-thesis option (6 credits). Additional courses listed under A or B2 above and/or EDE 520 .
2. Thesis option (3 credits). EDE 698 (prerequisite: completion of at least 24 credit hours).

Reading Specialist Certificate Endorsement

Upon successful completion of the MA in Education with Literacy concentration and the Reading Specialist (Test Code 92) Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, graduates with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan will be eligible for Reading Specialist certificate endorsement (coded BR in Michigan). This endorsement allows teachers to teach reading and language arts as a special subject in grades K-12.

Education with Special Education Concentration MA

This concentration is designed to produce highly qualified K-12 special education teachers with endorsement in Learning Disabilities or Cognitive Impairments. These teachers will demonstrate competencies in research-based and specialized knowledge and skills, and use best practices in the field.

The program requires 36 credits of planned coursework, including two six-week internships. All students complete six special education core courses, the Learning Disabilities or the Cognitive Impairment option, each of which includes three additional courses and two six-week internships, and a research seminar.

The program is aligned with State of Michigan requirements, Council for Exceptional Children/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Educators (CEC/NCATE) standards, and The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

Requirements.

Core education courses (18 credits).
EDN 500 , EDN 501 , EDN 502 , EDN 540 , EDN 541 , EDN 544 .
One of the following endorsement options (15 credits).
Learning Disabilities endorsement.
EDN 600 , EDN 640 , EDN 660 , EDN 662 ; EDR 645 .
Cognitive Impairment endorsement.
EDN 601 , EDN 641 , EDN 661 , EDN 663 ; EDR 645 .
Research Seminar (3 credits).
EDE 670 .
Electives (for transfer students requiring additional credits).
ECE 520 , EDN 602 ; other courses approved by advisor.

Special Education Certificate Endorsement

Successful completion of the MA in Education with Special Education concentration, minus the research seminar, fulfills the 33-credit State of Michigan requirement for a single endorsement in Learning Disabilities (coded SM in Michigan) or Cognitive Impairment (coded SA) graduates with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan.

Individuals who already possess one endorsement earned at the undergraduate level may complete a second endorsement with as few as 18 additional credits. However, if a Master’s degree is desired along with the second endorsement, 36 credits at the graduate level are required. Some of these may be electives approved by the Education Department advisor. Transfer credits from other Special Education programs also may be considered on an individual basis. See the Education Department for further information.

Technology in Education Concentration MA

This concentration is for individuals who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the use of technology as it relates to education, and prepares teachers for Educational Technology endorsement. The concentration focuses on enactment of innovative projects within learning environments, while providing opportunities for students to create individualized projects and build a network with other innovative educators. Courses in the concentration are offered in a mixed-mode format, which blends Internet-based coursework with limited on-campus meetings. Cognates are selected in consultation with an advisor, and should strengthen subject matter knowledge relevant to the student’s main area of interest and professional goals. Students are responsible for meeting any cognate course prerequisites.

The concentration is designed for teachers, instructional technologists, educational administrators, and others who seek relevant, practical grounding in tools and concepts related to the use of technology in educational settings. Teaching certification is not required. Students select the thesis option (33 credits) or non-thesis option (36 credits). Individuals who wish to pursue a research careeer, coordinative/administrative position, and/or doctoral degree in education are encouraged to select the thesis option.

Requirements.

A. Core education courses (6 credits)
EDE 500 or EDE 601 ; EDE 670 .

B. Technology in education strand (18 credits).

EDT 510 , EDT 542 , EDT 543 , EDT 660 .
Two from: EDT 520 , EDT 521 , EDT 544 , EDT 580 , EDT 640 , EDT 641 , EDT 699 .

C. Cognate courses (6 credits).

Two from: AMC 501 , AMC 502 , AMC 504 , AMC 598 , AMC 599 ; ANT 515 ; ARH 509 ; ENG 512 , ENG 533 , ENG 548 , ENG 574 ; HIS 531 , LIN 520 , LIN 521 ; MUS 522 ; POL 501 ; POL 510 / PUB 510 ; PUB 501 , PUB 538 , PUB 550 , PUB 562 , PUB 566 ; PUB 582 / SWR 502 ; SOC 545 , SOC 569 ; THE 534 / ENG 534 ; THE 549 ; WGS 540 . Other courses may be accepted upon approval by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs in Education.

D. Thesis or Non-Thesis option (33-36 credits).

Non-Thesis Option (6 credits).
Additional courses listed under A or B2 above and/or EDE 520 .
Thesis Option (3 credits).
EDE 698 (prerequisite: completion of at least 24 credit hours).

Educational Technology Certificate Endorsement

For individuals with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan, successful completion of EDT 510 , EDT 520 , EDT 542 , EDT 543 , EDT 640 and EDT 660 fulfills the State of Michigan requirement for an endorsement in Educational Technology (coded NP in Michigan).