2023-2024 Samford University Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Teacher Education (Graduate)
|
|
Return to: Orlean Beeson School of Education
Go to Programs and Course Listings
Faculty
Karen J. Birkenfeld, Chair, Professor
Jeanelle B. Day, Professor
Amanda S. Hilsmier, Professor
Amy E. Hoaglund, Professor
Erin N. Gilchrist, Associate Professor
Tarsha B. Shepard, Associate Professor
Hannah S. Kennedy, Assistant Professor
Katherine M. Scarborough, Assistant Professor
Jane-Marie Marlin, Instructor
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 and Technology (M.S.E.)
_________________________________________________
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.
———-
*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.
ProgramsMasterCoursesEducation (Teacher Education Dept)- EDUC 500 - Teaching Math in Today’s Elementary Classroom (3)
- EDUC 501 - Assessment and Instruction for Elementary Reading/Literacy (3)
- EDUC 502 - Assessment Strategies to Impact Student Achievement (3)
- EDUC 503 - Principles and Application of Curriculum and Instruction (3)
- EDUC 504 - Teaching in the Diverse Classroom (3)
- EDUC 505 - Independent Study (1-3)
- EDUC 506 - Teaching Thinking Skills in the Elementary Classroom (3)
- EDUC 507 - Inquiry-Based Instruction in the Elementary Classroom (3)
- EDUC 508 - Concepts of Christian Education and Missions (3)
- EDUC 509 - Advanced Techniques for the Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Problems (3)
- EDUC 510 - Instructional Adaptation for Student Diversity (3)
- EDUC 511 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (3)
- EDUC 512 - Contemporary Legal Issues for the Classroom Teacher (2-3)
- EDUC 513 - Instructional Design for Optimal Student Learning (3)
- EDUC 514 - Social Dynamics and Student Learning (3)
- EDUC 515 - Standards-Driven Teacher Leadership (3)
- EDUC 516 - Instructional Design for Active Learning (3)
- EDUC 517 - Effective Curriculum Design (3)
- EDUC 518 - Action Research: Theory and Techniques (3)
- EDUC 519 - Field-Based Action Research (3)
- EDUC 520 - Foundations, Trends, and Issues in Education (3)
- EDUC 521 - Using Assessment and Technology to Impact Student Learning (3)
- EDUC 522 - Designing Instruction for Exceptional Learners: A Survey of Special Education (3, then 1)
- EDUC 523 - Diversity and Learner Development (3, then 1)
- EDUC 524 - Curriculum Design for P-12 Instructional Leaders (3)
- EDUC 525 - Integrating the Arts and Literature in the Elementary School Classroom (3)
- EDUC 529 - Program Design for School Improvement (3)
- EDUC 531 - Child Growth and Learning within the Educational Culture (6)
- EDUC 532 - Early Childhood and Elementary Education Programs (6)
- EDUC 533 - The Arts: Curriculum and Instruction in the Early Childhood and Elementary Grades (8)
- EDUC 534 - The Sciences: Curriculum and Instruction in the Early Childhood and Elementary Grades (6)
- EDUC 535 - Current Issues in Education (4)
- EDUC 537 - The Development of the Child: Birth to Early Adolescence (3)
- EDUC 539 - Introduction to Education, Elementary Programs, and Curriculums (K-6) (3)
- EDUC 540 - Foundations of Literacy (3)
- EDUC 541 - Reading Disabilities: Assessment and Intervention (3)
- EDUC 542 - Materials and Methods of Teaching Language Arts (3)
- EDUC 543 - Literacy, Materials, and Methods of Mathematics (3)
- EDUC 544 - Materials and Methods of Teaching Science, Social Studies, Health, and Physical Education (3)
- EDUC 545 - Clinical Field Applications and Technology (3)
- EDUC 546 - Planning, Assessment, and Professional Dispositions (3)
- EDUC 547 - Exceptional Learners and Diversity in the Elementary Classroom (3)
- EDUC 548 - Classroom Management, Issues, and Ethical Demands of Teaching (4)
- EDUC 549 - Seminar for the Internship (3)
- EDUC 574 - Differentiating Instruction and Teaching the Gifted in the Regular Classroom (3)
- EDUC 575 - Nature and Needs of the Gifted Learner (3)
- EDUC 577 - Current Issues in Gifted Education Seminar (3)
- EDUC 578 - Curriculum Materials and Methods for the Gifted (3)
- EDUC 579 - Practicum in Gifted Education (3)
- EDUC 580 - Developing Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (3)
- EDUC 582 - Low Incidence Disabilities (K-12) (3)
- EDUC 585 - Assessment Procedures and Processes in Special Education (3)
- EDUC 586 - Managing Challenging Behavior in the Classroom: A Functional Behavioral Approach (3)
- EDUC 589 - High Incidence Disabilities (K-12) (3)
- EDUC 592 - K-6 Internship (6)
- EDUC 593 - Research-Based Methods of Instruction for High and Low Incidence Disabilities (3)
- EDUC 594 - Clinical Internship in K-12 Collaborative Special Education (6)
- EDUC 595 - Practicum in Collaborative Special Education (K-12) (3)
- EDUC 596 - Current and Emerging Instructional Technologies (3)
- EDUC 597 - Curriculum Integration of Technology (3)
- EDUC 607 - Early Childhood Exemplary Programs (3)
- EDUC 608 - Elementary Exemplary Programs (3)
- EDUC 624 - Learning Theories: The Pursuit of Knowledge (3)
- EDUC 626 - Social Problems of Children and Youth (3)
- EDUC 630 - Quality Improvement Practicum in Education (3)
- EDUC 640 - Trends and Issues in Teacher Leadership (3)
- EDUC 641 - Mentor Training and Professional Development in Teacher Leadership (3)
- EDUC 642 - Leadership for Differentiation in Schools (3)
- EDUC 670 - Advanced Curriculum Workshop (3)
- EDUC 671 - Program Planning and Evaluation in Gifted Education (3)
- EDUC 672 - Seminar in Gifted Education (3)
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.
Page: 1
| 2
Return to: Orlean Beeson School of Education
|