Teacher Education (Graduate)

Faculty

Karen J. Birkenfeld, Chair, Associate Professor
Jeanelle B. Day, Professor
Amanda S. Hilsmier, Professor
Amy E. Hoaglund, Professor
Erin N. Gilchrist, Associate Professor
Tarsha B. Shepard, Associate Professor
Katherine M. Scarborough, Assistant Professor

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees
Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) - Class A Certification

     Elementary Education, Alternative Master’s (Alt A, Class A Certification) (M.S.E.)
     K-12 Collaborative Special Education, Alternative Master’s (Alt A, Class A Certification) (M.S.E.)
     Secondary Education, Alternative Master’s (Alt A, Class A Certification) (M.S.E.)
     Music Education*

Older Program**

Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) - Non-Certification
Instructional Design & Technology (M.S.E.)
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The Department of Teacher Education offers graduate education programs in elementary education, K-12 collaborative special education, and secondary education. Provided current certification requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education have been met, a master of science in education (M.S.E.) degree, with Class A certification, is available.
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*See the School of the Arts Music Division section for details on graduate music education programs.
**This program is under review and subject to change/closure/replacement. It is currently closed to new admits.

Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.)

The master of science in education (M.S.E.) degree is designed for the working professional in a field other than education. Completion of the degree requires 36 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion, the candidate is eligible for the master of science in education degree and Class A certification, provided current certification requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education have been met.

Annual Admission Deadline: May 1

Admission Requirements

Applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have graduated with a minimum GPA of 2.50.
Completion of application and payment of application fee.
Receipt of one official transcript from all institutions attended.
Passing scores on required Praxis tests. See admissions coordinator for required tests.
Background clearance letter.
Disposition recommendation from supervisor if employed, if not a college professor.
Satisfactory performance on admissions interview.

The admissions committee will evaluate each candidate on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must meet ALSDE minimum admission requirements to apply for certification upon completion of the program.

Additional requirements may apply to specific programs.

Unconditional Admission

Minimum GPA of 2.50 for all college work attempted.
Completion of undergraduate prerequisites and passing scores on the appropriate content area Praxis II test.

Transfer Credit

In traditional graduate studies, a student may transfer up to six semester hours of graduate credit from an accredited four-year college or university that has a state-approved graduate program in the teacher education.

Please note: Courses may not be transferred into the master of science in education, Class A certification programs, nor can any course taken for undergraduate credit be used to count toward graduate credit. No more than two content area courses may be transferred into the alternative master’s degree program in secondary education (MSE-Alternative A). Exceptions may be granted by the dean of the School of Education.

Tuition Scholarships

Tuition scholarships are available to all candidates who have been accepted for graduate study at the master of science level. These scholarships are automatically applied to student accounts, require no application, and continue until coursework is complete..

Retention and Completion

Students on the M.S.E. level must maintain a GPA of 3.25. All students must follow a prescribed course of study specified on their program checklist as approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. They must complete all work within six years. Graduate students receiving initial certification must also pass the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP), which includes the appropriate PRAXIS examinations. At the end of any semester, a student whose cumulative GPA falls below the required minimum (3.25) may not continue in the program. Any grade below a C- shall not be counted for credit and the course must be retaken. An individual who completes an Alabama State-approved program must submit an application for Alabama certification within 60 calendar months (five years) of the program completion date.

Teacher Certification

In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must pass all exit exams and licensure requirements as mandated by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). If a student successfully completes all program requirements, he/she may graduate, but cannot be recommended for certification until all exams are passed and all requirements are met.

Graduation from Samford University does not guarantee certification by the ALSDE or any other state certification agency. Program graduates who delay applying for Alabama certification are subject to changes made in the state certification requirements between the time of degree completion and the time of application. If an individual is not recommended for Alabama certification within five years (60 calendar months) of program completion, the individual will be required to reapply and complete current approved program requirements.

In addition, candidates completing all required coursework in any teacher preparation program but who delay clinical internship (All But Internship or, “ABI”) for more than one year and who intend to apply for teacher certification must comply with current ALSDE certification requirements.

Advisement

Frequent meetings with an advisor from the certification office are required throughout the graduate program. Samford University complies with the requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education concerning the admission, retention, and completion of all requirements for students seeking Class A certification.

Requests for information about or applications to the alternative master’s degree programs should be addressed to the director of graduate student services, (205) 726-4337, Orlean Beeson School of Education, Room 210.

Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in Secondary Education

The master of science in education (M.S.E.) in secondary education, alternative master’s degree program (Alt A, Class A Certification) is designed for candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education and who now seek to earn a master of science in education with Class A teacher certification, for grades 6-12, in biology, English/language arts, general science, general social science (social studies), mathematics, physical education (P-12), and Spanish.

Upon successful completion of this program and having met current certification requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education, the candidate is eligible for the master of science in education degree in 6-12 secondary education and Class A teacher certification.

NOTE: See the School of the Arts Music Division section for details on graduate music education programs.

Programs

Master

Courses

Education (Teacher Education Dept)

Education (Alternative Master’s Degree Program)

Education (Alternative Master’s Degree Program, Content-Specific)

NOTE: The following content-specific courses are offered through the Howard College of Arts and the School of Health Professions for students in alternative master’s degree program in secondary education (MSE-FYNT). These courses cannot be applied towards a different graduate education program.

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