Program Objectives- Admission Requirements
- Degree Requirements/ Concentrations
- Reading Specialist Certification
- Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate
Program Objectives
The master's degree program in education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. This program encourages students to view themselves as researchers of teaching and learning and as professionals whose continued growth can best be met through inquiry, reflection, and sustained dialogues with peers. It affords practitioners the opportunity to share effective classroom practices while reading, interpreting, and analyzing current research and professional literature. Students must choose and complete course requirements within a specified concentration area.
Admission Requirements
Clarion University's general admission requirements apply, with the following additions:
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A baccalaureate degree from an acceptably accredited college or university.
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Undergraduate minimum QPA is 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
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Three faculty and/or professional recommendations; recommendation forms should document applicant's potential and/or effectiveness in the areas of teaching ability and/or professional performance.
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Teacher certification. Submit two copies of evidence of certification. If the applicant does not meet this requirement, the graduate faculty of the department shall determine existing deficiencies and how they may be met.
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Admission to provisional status may be granted at the discretion of the graduate faculty if the applicant's QPA is less than 3.0/4.0 scale. Regular status may be granted upon completion of six semester hours of graduate study with a minimum of 3.0/4.0 average.
Degree Requirements (TOTAL 30-33 s.h.)
| Concentrations: |
Core Competencies (12 s.h.)
Research-ED 520:
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH, 3 s.h.
Pedagogy-ED 522:
ANALYSIS OF TEACHING OR ED 563: READING PEDAGOGY OR ECH 501, 3 s.h.
Curriculum-ED 523:
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OR ECH 502, 3 s.h.
Professional Seminar-ED 578:
PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR, 3 s.h.
Concentration Areas
Course selection is to be made from the following:
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION CONCENTRATION (12 s.h.)
ED 403:
FIELD EXPERIENCE AND METHODS IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, 3 s.h.
ED 501:
SEMINAR IN CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL ISSUES, 3 s.h.
ED 502:
CREATIVE RESPONSE TO CONFLICT, 3 s.h.
ED 506:
GENDER ISSUES IN EDUCATION, 3 s.h.
ED 509:
OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS OF THE URBAN CLASSROOM, 3 s.h.
ED 517:
EDUCATIONAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS, 3 s.h.
ED 521:
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS, 3 s.h.
ED 526:
SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION, 3 s.h.
ED 533:
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES, 3 s.h.
ED 534:
WORKSHOP IN EDUCATION - with permission of academic advisor, 3 s.h.
ED 537:
STRATEGIES AND PROBLEMS OF TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS, 3 s.h.
ED 544:
CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING, 3 s.h.
ED 568:
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY, 3 s.h.
ED 599:
SPECIAL TOPICS IN EDUCATION - with permission of academic advisor
ECH 501:
EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ECH 502:
EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT, 3 s.h.
ECH 510:
LEADERSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE, 3 s.h.
SCED 502:
INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES AND PROCESS APPROACH TO MODERN SCIENCE CURRICULA, 3 s.h.
SPED 500:
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, 3 s.h.
SPED 536:
ADVANCED METHODS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MILD/MODERATE HANDICAPS, 3 s.h.
SPED 596:
CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION PRACTICES AND DIRECTIONS, 3 s.h.
SPED 597:
COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION: IMPROVED TEACHING AND LEARNING OUTCOMES, 3 s.h.
Additional courses as approved by advisor
EARLY CHILDHOOD CONCENTRATION (12 s.h.)
CORE COURSES:
ECH 501:
EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ECH 502:
EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT, 3 s.h.
ECH 505:
THE HEALTHY INFANT, TODDLER, AND YOUNG CHILD, 3 s.h.
ECH 510:
LEADERSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE, 3 s.h.
ECH 512:
LEADERSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE, 3 s.h.
ED 565:
READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, 3 s.h.
Additional courses as approved by advisor
LITERACY CONCENTRATION (12 s.h.)
ED 534:
WORKSHOP IN EDUCATION - with permission of academic advisor, 3 s.h.
ED 563:
READING PEDAGOGY, 3 s.h.
ED 564:
EVIDENCE-BASED LITERACY INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 565:
READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, 3 s.h.
ED 568:
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY, 3 s.h.
ED 575:
SEMINAR IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, 3 s.h.
ED 599:
SPECIAL TOPICS IN EDUCATION - with permission of academic advisor
LS 540:
MULTICULTURAL SOURCES AND SERVICES FOR EDUCATORS & LIBRARIANS, 3 s.h.
LS 551:
STORYTELLING, 3 s.h.
LS 555:
HISTORY OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, 3 s.h.
LS 577:
LIBRARIES, LITERATURE, AND THE CHILD, 3 s.h.
LS 583:
LIBRARIES, LITERATURE, AND YOUNG ADULTS, 3 s.h.
SPED 580:
SPECIAL READING INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
Additional courses as approved by advisor
MATHEMATICS CONCENTRATION (21 s.h.)
Specialization Courses (15 s.h.)
* MAED 501:
TEACHING SECONDARY MATHEMATICS, 3 s.h.
* MAED 551:
ALGEBRA/NUMBER THEORY FOR TEACHERS, 3 s.h.
* MAED 556:
RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICS TEACHING & LEARNING, 3 s.h.
+ MAED 537:
GEOMETRY/TRIGONOMETRY FOR SECONDARY TEACHERS, 3 s.h.
+ MAED 540:
DISCRETE MATHEMATICS FOR GRADES 7-12, 3 s.h.
+ MAED 550:
PRE-ALGEBRA FOR TEACHERS, 3 s.h.
+ MAED 571:
ANALYSIS FOR TEACHERS, 3 s.h.
*Required math core +Choose two of these
Elective Courses (6 s.h.)
# MAED 511:
TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING SECONDARY MATHEMATICS, 3 s.h.
# MAED 532:
TEACHING STATISTICAL REASONING, 3 s.h.
# MAED 581:
PROBLEM SOLVING, 3 s.h.
# MAED 585:
APPLICATIONS AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING FOR TEACHERS, 3 s.h.
# MAED 590:
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICS, 3 s.h.
# electives = 6 s.h. Choose two as approved by advisor.
READING SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION CONCENTRATION (18 s.h.)
ED 564:
EVIDENCE-BASED LITERACY INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 567:
SECONDARY, COLLEGE, AND CONTENT AREA READING INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 569:
ASSESSMENT OF LITERACY, 3 s.h.
ED 570:
PRACTICUM I: ANALYSIS, 3 s.h.
ED 571:
PRACTICUM II: INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 574:
READING PROGRAM ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND SUPERVISION, 3 s.h.
Successful completion of Reading Specialist Praxis Exam required for certification.
SCIENCE EDUCATION CONCENTRATION (18 s.h.)
Core Competencies (12 s.h.)
RESEARCH-SCED 538 OR ED 520, 3 s.h.
PEDAGOGY-SCED 502, 3 s.h.
CURRICULUM-SCED 538 OR ED 523, 3 s.h.
PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR-SCED 541 OR ED 578, 3 s.h.
Science Education concentration area (12 s.h.)
SCED 501:
SEMINAR IN SCIENCE MISCONCEPTIONS, 3 s.h.
SCED 505:
INVESTIGATION IN THE SCIENCES, 3 s.h.
SCED 555:
HISTORY OF SCIENCE, 3 s.h.
SCED 5XX:
SCIENCE EDUCATION ELECTIVE, 3 s.h.
Electives:
A total of six credits from education, science education, special education, science, mathematics, or other graduate areas with approval of advisor. A minimum of 18 science education credits are required for the degree. A maximum of 3-6 thesis credits (ED 701) may be substituted for electives.
TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATION (12 s.h.)
ED 517:
EDUCATIONAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS, 3 s.h.
ED 534:
WORKSHOP IN EDUCATION - with permission of academic advisor, 3 s.h.
ED 599:
SPECIAL TOPICS IN EDUCATION - with permission of academic advisor
ED 617:
ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, 3 s.h.
ED 620:
INTERNET APPLICATIONS FOR K-12 EDUCATORS, 3 s.h.
MMAJ 558:
SOCIETY, LAW, AND MEDIA TECHNOLOGY, 3 s.h.
ED/CIS 649:
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP, 3 s.h.
MMAJ/CIS 650:
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS, 3 s.h.
MMAJ/CIS 651:
DEVELOPING IT INFRASTRUCTURE, 3 s.h.
LS 540:
MULTICULTURAL SOURCES AND SERVICES FOR EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS, 3 s.h.
Additional courses as approved by advisor.
WORLD LANGUAGES CONCENTRATION (18 s.h.)
SPAN 417:
SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IMMERSION, 3 s.h.
SPAN 501:*
SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISPANIC LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, 3 s.h.
SPAN 540:
HISPANIC FILM, 3 s.h.
SPAN 561:
SUPERVISED READINGS IN HISPANIC LITERATURE, 3 s.h.
ED 439:
METHODS OF TEACHING AND EVALUATING WORLD LANGUAGES, 3 s.h.
FR 417:
FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IMMERSION, 3 s.h.
FR 501:
SPECIAL TOPICS IN FRENCH LITERATURE AND CULTURE, 3 s.h.
FR 551:
ADVANCED SUPERVISED READINGS IN FRENCH LITERATURE, 3 s.h.
FR 557:
ADVANCED FRENCH LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL IMMERSION, 3 s.h.
GER 501:
SPECIAL TOPICS IN GERMAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE, 3 s.h.
GER 551:
ADVANCED SUPERVISED READINGS IN GERMAN LITERATURE, 3 s.h.
GER 557:
*Special topics courses which can be repeated for a total of nine credits.
Electives:
Six credits approved by advisor.
Electives (6 s.h.)
Electives can be from any of the concentration areas. To be selected from appropriate 400- or 500-level courses as approved by the advisor. A maximum of three credits of 400-level courses approved for graduate credit may be counted toward the degree. Please notethat 400-level courses taken for undergraduate credit cannot be repeated for graduate credit. A maximum of 3-6 thesis credits may be substituted as electives.
Mathematics concentration elective courses (6 s.h.) - see mathematics concentration listing for electives.
Principalship Preparation concentration electives - 2 s.h. of education or concentration area approved for the education degree requirements. A maximum of three thesis credits may be substituted as an elective in this concentration.
Written comprehensive exam required, except for the mathematics concentration which requires a Mathematical Portfolio.
Presentation portfolio, thesis defense, or written comprehensive exam required, except for the mathematics concentration which requires a Mathematical Portfolio.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete 30 credit hours (33 credits for mathematics concentration) of required and advisor approved elective courses with a cumulative quality-point average of 3.00/4.00. Additionally, students are required to complete an online professional portfolio presentation or thesis defense.
Reading Specialist Certification
Satisfactory completion of the M.Ed. with reading concentration meets the requirements for reading specialist certification. Students desiring reading specialist certification without the degree must complete the following sequence of courses:
Reading Specialist Certification (27 s.h.)
ED 520:
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH, 3 s.h.
ED 563:
READING PEDAGOGY, 3 s.h.
ED 564:
EVIDENCE-BASED LITERACY INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 567:
SECONDARY, COLLEGE, AND CONTENT AREA READING INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 569:
ASSESSMENT OF LITERACY, 3 s.h.
ED 570:
PRACTICUM I: ANALYSIS, 3 s.h.
ED 571:
PRACTICUM II: INSTRUCTION, 3 s.h.
ED 574:
READING PROGRAM ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND SUPERVISION, 3 s.h.
ED 578:
PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR, 3 s.h.
Reading Specialist Test (PRAXIS) required.
Placement
Typically, graduate program candidates are already involved in professional careers that are being enhanced by the graduate studies. For students who are seeking employment, the faculty and the university Career Services provides job search assistance.
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are granted for 10 and/or 20 hours of departmental service per week in exchange for a waiver of tuition and a stipend. Applications are available in the Graduate Studies office and should be submitted with the application for admission to graduate study.
Advisement
Upon acceptance into the graduate program, students will be assigned a department advisor who is qualified to assist the student in his or her specific career goals. The responsibility for meeting all stated requirements for the master's degree, however, is with the student.
Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate Program (online)
Certified Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS) help educational institutions apply technology to improve teaching and learning. The ITS program emphasizes the use of instructional technology as it relates to specific learning outcomes. Clarion University's program also addresses the dynamics of rural communities and the changing diversity of our urban areas through a multimedia approach.
Graduates of the ITS certificate program will be able to:
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determine appropriate uses of instructional technology in learning;
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evaluate materials and technologies;
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develop effective multimedia instructional materials;
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develop regulation-compliant media utilization plans;
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identify strategies to increase the use of instructional technology in underserved communities including specific plans to reach culturally diverse and special needs; and
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utilize human resource management skills.
Program of Study
The ITS Certificate may be pursued alone or as part of any Clarion University master's degree program. The ITS Certificate program requires 24 semester hours.
ITS candidates must satisfy preparation standards set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Students may satisfy the PDE preparation standards for Instructional Technology Specialist by completing Clarion University's ITS certificate program.
Admission Requirements
Clarion University's general admission requirements apply, with the following additions:
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A baccalaureate degree from an acceptably accredited college or university.
-
Undergraduate minimum QPA is 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
-
Three faculty and/or professional recommendations; recommendation forms should document applicant's potential and/or effectiveness in the areas of teaching ability and/or professional performance.
-
Admission to provisional status may be granted at the discretion of the graduate faculty if the applicant's QPA is less than 3.0/4.0 scale. Regular status may be granted upon completion of 19 semester hours of graduate study with a minimum of 3.0/4.0 average.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (21 credits) - TAKE ALL SIX COURSES
MED 520:
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH, 3 cr.
ED 617:
ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, 3 cr.
MMAJ 558:
SOCIETY, LAW, AND MEDIA TECHNOLOGY, 3 cr.
ED/CIS 649:
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP, 3 cr.
ED 620:
INTERNET APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATORS, 3 cr.
ED/MMAJ 540:
PRINCIPLES OF INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, 3 cr.
MMAJ/CIS 651:
DEPLOYING INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE, 3 cr.
Electives (3 credits) - CHOOSE TWO COURSES
LS 540:
MULTICULTURAL LIBRARY SERVICES AND SOURCES, 3 s.h.
LS 589:
NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHERS, 3 cr.
MMAJ 548:
MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR DISTANCE COMMUNICATION, 3 cr.
MMAJ/CIS 650:
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS, 3 cr.
MMAJ/CIS 650:
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS,** 3 s.h.
LS 529:
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR LIBRARIANS AND EDUCATORS,*** 3 cr.
Candidates without teaching certification must take:
ED 522: ANALYSIS OF TEACHING, 3 s.h.
ED 523: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION, 3 s.h.
ED 350 or 505: TEACHING ELGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, 3 cr.
SPED 418: EXCEPTIONALITIES IN THE REGULAR CLASSROOM, 3 cr.
SPED 442: DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION/INCLUSIVE SETTINGS, 3 cr.
SPED 441: TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN SEC, 3 cr.
Candidates without technology expertise must take:
ED 517: EDUCATIONAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS, 3 s.h.
** Not offered online
*** Only appropriate for candidates without teaching certification
A student must maintain a QPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Graduate Early Childhood Certification Program
Clarion University's Graduate Childhood Certification Program offers web-based graduate courses to those who currently hold Pennsylvania Elementary certification that will allow them to earn Pennsylvania Early Childhood Certification. The courses are designed to facilitate participants’ knowledge, skills and dispositions that will enable them to effectively interact with and guide the learning of young children and their families and has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The program currently consists of five online graduate courses and the Praxis II exam in Early Childhood.
The graduate courses that will make up the Graduate Early Childhood Certification program are part of the Master of Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education program. The courses are designed to address the five standards of the National Association fort the Education of Young Children and the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Those who complete this program may choose to continue on for the Master of Education degree.
Program Requirements
- ECH 501: Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction
- ECH 502: Early Childhood Curriculum and Assessment
- ECH 505: The Healthy Infant, Toddler, and Young Child
- ED 565: Reading and Language Arts in Early Childhood
- ECH 510: Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Admission Requirements
The program will enroll only those who currently possess Pennsylvania Elementary Certification. These teachers will have met the Pennsylvania teaching competencies and will have completed student teaching. They are not required to student teach again to earn teaching certification in Early Childhood through this program. They will be required to pass he Praxis II exam in Early Childhood before Clarion University will recommend them to PDE for certification.
To apply, the candidate must apply for admission to the online at the Clarion University Graduate School, and provide a copy of their Pennsylvania Elementary Certificate and bachelor’s degree transcript with their graduate admission package. Also required is documentation of current (within one year) Pennsylvania Act 33 and Act 34 clearances and FBI clearance along with verification of a valid health examination and negative Tuberculin test and proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance.
NOTE: Candidates may be subject to program adjustments to meet any new PDE regulations.
