Master of Education

The Master of Education program extends knowledge of teaching and learning for classroom teachers allowing them to become master teachers and curriculum leaders. Teacher scholars will be able to evaluate their classroom practices, evaluate and assess curriculum outcomes, and apply knowledge to improve instruction in schools. In addition, students will develop materials and knowledge that can lead to national teacher certification.

• Submit three letters of recommendation from professional colleagues.
• Possess a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited college.
• Possess current teacher certification.
• Complete UGF graduate application materials.
• Complete an interview with the School of Education faculty.

• Be on the leading edge of education practice.
• Be emotionally ready to teach.
• Know everything you can know.
• Be an exceptional example of excellent teaching.
• Respond to students with enthusiasm for their success.

 

Objectives

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• Make evident an understanding and command over key concepts, theories and data regarding society and social problems.
• Be able to critically evaluate social research.
• Make evident an understanding of the process of management and supervision of personnel
• Demonstrate their ability to fiscally manage an organization and to pursue revenue and manage expenses.
• Develop the writing and presentation skills to communicate to a variety of professional audiences.
• Able to articulate strategies for reform and human empowerment related to their own contexts.
• To be aware of ethical and legal issues concerning the administration of human service agencies.
• To be able to successfully market and convey the mission of non-profit agencies.
• To be able to pursue funding from various sources.

Each student will compile a portfolio and portfolio presentation exemplifying what has been gained from the program, and how the program knowledge could be implemented in a classroom and/or school. The portfolio may be electronic, written, posters, photo’s, video, etc. and any combination of these presentation types. The portfolio supplants a comprehensive final exam. The portfolio will reflect the following goals of the program. Each student will present their portfolio to the faculty in the College of Education . IT is expected you will perform up to the level of either professional or exceptional to pass your portfolio presentation.

 

 

Core Curriculum

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Course Number	Course Name	Credits
MED 600	Educators as Researchers	3
MED 601	Advances in Learning Psycholgy	3
MED 602	Philosophy and History of Education	3
MED 603	The Socia Curriculum in the Caring Education of Children	3
MED 630	Tests and Measures in Student Assessment	3
MED 639	Technology for Learning	3
MED 643	Diversity in the School and Classroom	3
MED 645	The K-12 Curriculum	3
MED 649	Current Issues in Education	3
MED 650	Master's Project and Presentation	3
MSC 529	Developmental Psychology	3
	Total	33

 

Master's Project - Option I In this option the student demonstrates knowledge and dispositions through a multimedia presentation based on the program rubric. The presentation will also be based on the National Board Certification Standards.

Master's Project - Option II Student will design and complete a research study approved by a full time faculty advisor. The University must approve the study and the study procedures if the study involves human subjects. If the subjects are in a school system, written permission from an appropriate school official must be obtained before the study takes place. The project must be completed within one year from the registration date for MED 650.

 

Course Descriptions

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MED 532 Evaluation of Programs and Personnel. Organizing, conducting, and concluding evaluations of programs to assess both efficiency and effectiveness. Fair, legal, systematic, and useful practices in evaluating personnel.
3 credits

MED 583 K-12 School Management and Leadership. A broad view of school organization and administration including ideational and practical perspectives. Roles and tasks of school administrators are developed to achieve effective school operation in the current, transitional setting, with a school-based management emphasis and teacher participation in school-team management.
3 credits

MED 589 K-12 School Principalship. This course provides a broad overview of the components of the School Principalship. It includes curricular decision making, management style, public relations and other issues facing modern elementary principals.
3 credits

MED 600 Educators as Researchers. The course emphasizes the role of a research consumer. Fundamental research designs are examined and applied to reading research studies. The role of the teacher as a researcher is examined and applied. Students plan and complete research component. The scholar will learn to apply research design and concepts in a classroom setting.
3 credits

MED 601 Advances in Learning Psychology. The cognitive movement in psychology is examined and related to classroom learning. Issues of motivation, thinking processes, and brain research are developed and applications to learning are examined. The scholar will be helped to adopt a psychological basis to classroom instruction.
3 credits

MED 602 Philosophy and History of Education. Historical and current issues of educational philosophy are examined. Applications of philosophy to curriculum are developed. Concepts of philosophy are refined and applied to classroom learning and curriculum development. The scholar will learn to develop dispositions and application of historical and philosophical knowledge to school settings.
3 credits

MED 604 School Finance. Includes the larger view of financial support for elementary schools, both private and public as well as the principal’s role in planning, budgeting, accounting, and monitoring school funds.
2 credits

MED 605 School Law. The Montana state school code, its scope of coverage and most commonly applicable stipulations. Relationships among state constitution, legislation, state board of education, and state agency (OPI). Course explores national trends in legal provisions and interpretations affecting schools.
3 credits

MED 609 Administration of K-12 Guidance. An overview of what comprises guidance and counseling services in the school setting. Students will survey and analyze the components of an effective guidance and counseling program with the goal of learning to design such programs.
2 credits

MED 630 Tests and Measures in Student Assessment. Criterion and standardized testing procedures and practices will be analyzed. Issues of measurement will be studied and applied to classroom testing as well as the interpretation of standardized tests. Current strategies in assessment will be analyzed and applications will be developed. The scholar will be helped to apply assessment processes in a school setting.
3 credits

MED 639 Technology for Learning. Working individually and collaboratively, students in this class improve their skills in integrating technology into their teaching as well as examining ethical issues that the increased use of technology in society raises. The class helps students become leaders in developing and delivering curricula, complying with national and state standards in content areas, and technology. Students also increase their ability to find, comprehend, evaluate, use, and add to the resources offered by professional organizations in the field of educational technology. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Education Program
3 credits

MED 643 Diversity in the School and Classroom. The issues of diversity are explored and analyzed. The implications of diversity for instruction and curriculum development are analyzed. Situations involving diversity issues are experienced. The scholar will learn to develop dispositions and curriculum applications with regard to diversity.
3 credits

MED 645 The K-12 Curriculum. Current curriculum trends and applications are examined. Elements of developing curriculum are oriented to classroom learning and system wide curriculum development. Assessment of curriculum is analyzed and applications are developed. The scholar will learn to apply effective assessment concepts in a school setting.
3 credits

MED 649 Current Issues in Education. Current and recent issues in learning and instruction are clarified and examined. The scholar will learn to analyze and apply relevant issues in a school setting.
3 credits

MED 650 Master’s Project and Presentation. Each student will complete a curriculum project or a research project. Research and curriculum projects are developed in cooperation with an education faculty member. The presentation mode will be determined by the faculty of the School of Education.
3 credits

MED 695 Internship in Administration. The student will intern in the school setting under the tutelage of a practicing administrator/ principal. Periodic campus meetings will be parts of the internship experience.
3 credits