Master in Education

Carneige, Room 202.
(785) 231-1010 1487

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
The Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction is a program designed to satisfy the personal and professional needs of teachers. As such, the Curriculum and Instruction degree offers a great number and variety of course options. Students in the program are required to take the core curriculum of graduate courses (15 semester hours) and to select other courses (21 semester hours) from other areas with the approval of their advisor. The Curriculum and Instruction degree plan is designed to help individuals become Master Teachers.

A minimum of 21 semester hours of elective courses in professional education is required. The Curriculum and Instruction degree plan is designed for graduate students who require a flexible program to meet a variety of teaching situations.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION WITH EMPHASIS IN LANGUAGE ARTS (K-9)
This specialized Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to provide the graduate student seeking advanced educational specialization with both the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to guide the development of oracy and literacy skills as classroom or resource teachers.

Students in this program must complete a thirty-six hour graduate program which includes a core curriculum of graduate courses, fifteen hours of specified coursework in this program with the guidance of the graduate program advisor and tailored to the student's needs. The concepts and skills necessary to provide appropriate instruction for the development of both oral and written language communication are developed through these five courses: RD 510 Classroom Reading Instruction; RD 516 Teaching Writing; RD 518 Integrating the Language Arts in Classrooms; RD 528 Speech and Language Development; and either RD 456 Advanced Children's Literature or RD 420 Literature for Young Adults. The competencies in this program are aligned with the guidelines established by such professional groups as the National Council of Teachers of English.

READING
The graduate program in Reading is designed to provide the graduate student seeking advanced educational specialization with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the teaching of reading. The recipient of this degree has the competencies necessary to act as a Reading Specialist, a reading resource teacher or supervisor, or a classroom specialist. This program fulfills the standards set forth in the regulations of the Kansas Department of Education for certification as a Reading Specialist and with the recommendations and guidelines of such professional groups as the International Reading Association.

Students seeking the M.Ed. In Reading must complete a thirty-six hour graduate program which includes a core curriculum of graduate courses, eighteen hours of specified course work in reading aligned with endorsement as a Reading Specialist, one specified course in Educational Administration, and three elective hours selected from any graduate area with the guidance of the graduate program advisor.

Graduate students seeking endorsement as a Reading Specialist may do so through the Master's Degree in Reading, through the allied graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction with Emphasis in Teaching Language Arts (K-9) by tailoring the elective hours in their program with specific reading courses, or by completing the eighteen hour Certification Program. The eighteen hour program for endorsement as a Reading Specialist is developed through six courses: RD 510 Classroom Reading Instruction; RD 520 Assessment Procedures in Reading; RD 522 Instruction for Readers at Risk; RD 524 Practicum in Reading; RD 528 Speech and Language Development; and either RD 456 Advanced Children's Literature or RD 420 Literature for Young Adults. The scope of this program is designed to develop a reflective professional who is competent to guide reading instruction with learners of all abilities and needs. Such a person possesses a comprehensive understanding of language development and the reading process and is confident and capable in assessing problems and determining the appropriate instructional approaches, strategies, and materials for specific learner's needs.

Candidates for either the Master's Degree or the Certification Program in Reading must meet specific admission requirements for graduate study. To be eligible for endorsement by Washburn University as a Reading Specialist, students must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Education, a Kansas teaching certificate, successfully complete the prescribed eighteen hour program with a 3.0 GPA, and document two years of successful teaching experience.

SPECIAL EDUCATION
Washburn University offers a Master's Degree in Interrelated Special Education in the areas of Learning Disabilities (LD), Mildly Mentally Retarded (MR), Behaviorally Disordered (BD), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).

The requirements for provisional endorsement (certification) by the Kansas State Department of Education may be met prior to completion of the Master's Degree. Full endorsement is granted in Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary, or Secondary Interrelated (LD, BD, MR) following the completion of the full sequence of courses and two years of successful classroom teaching experience. Provisional certification in Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary or Secondary Interrelated (LD, BD, MR) may be obtained with the completion of nine specified hours of graduate credit, including an appropriate practicum experience and admission to the Graduate Program.

Most special education endorsements are granted at the level (e.g., elementary, secondary) for which a regular teaching certification is held. Consequently, career placement options for certified elementary and secondary education teachers include the self-contained classroom, the resource room, and the itinerant consultant teacher in the public school. Secondary special education teachers with a subject area specialization (e.g., history, mathematics, art, English, etc.) may also work in state or private institutions as well as in adolescent correctional facilities.

The Certificate Only Program in Special Education is designed for those students who already hold a Master's degree in other disciplines but who wish to qualify for endorsement as a Special Education Teacher. Washburn's Certificate Program is designed to meet the requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education and the department's concept of graduate study. To be eligible for admission, all applicants must hold a Master's degree from a regionally-accepted institution and a teaching certificate. Two years of classroom teaching experience must be earned prior to the completion of the Certificate Program. The program requires 39 semester hours of approved graduate credit.

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
Washburn University offers a Master's Degree program in Educational Administration. The master's degree program is offered for candidates seeking administrative positions in the elementary, middle, or secondary school as well as other positions of leadership within educational agencies of government and industry, or within professional organizations. This program fulfills the State of Kansas requirements for certification as a building principal. In addition to the basic degree plan, a variety of courses, workshops, and seminars are also offered to meet a wide range of administrative needs. Washburn University assists teachers and administrators to fulfill state certification requirements, in gaining specific management and human relations skills, and in securing current information about relevant concerns such as law finance, school-community relationships, personnel administration, and other pertinent topics.

The Certificate Program in Educational Administration is designed for those students who already hold a Master's degree in other disciplines, but who wish to qualify for endorsement as a Building Principal. Washburn's Certificate Program is organized to meet the requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education and the department's concept of graduate study. To be eligible for admission, all applicants must hold a Master's degree from a regionally-accredited institution and a teaching certificate. Three years of teaching experience as a certified teacher in a school at the level of the endorsement must be earned prior to the completion of the Certificate Program. The program requires 21 semester hours of approved graduate credit. All courses are in the area of Educational Administration.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/RECERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Department of Education offers courses and workshops for renewal of teaching certificates and professional development. Individuals may enroll in graduate courses for professional development or recertification purposes if they hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. These individuals are classified as non-degree seeking students. Approval must be obtained to apply courses completed while in this status toward a Master's Degree or certification in special education, reading, or educational administration.

ADVISING
All graduate students will be assigned to a faculty advisor. The purpose of advising is two-fold: (a) to provide professional guidance, and (b) to assist in academic course selection. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to define and discuss professional aspirations and are required to consult with their advisor about course selection to ensure that the departmental requirements of their program will be met.

ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Before enrolling in any graduate courses, the student must (a) hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution, and (b) file an application for admission to Washburn University with the Office of Admissions. However, a Washburn University senior within six hours of graduation may apply to take graduate courses.

All requirements for formal admission to an advanced degree or certification program must be completed no later than the completion of the first nine (9) semester hours of graduate course work taken at Washburn University. This includes receipt of the required GRE or Miller Analogy Test scores by the Education Department. Courses taken as an "Unclassified" graduate student may not be applied to graduate degree requirements unless the student receives formal approval.

Admission requirements are subject to change. Candidates for advanced degree and certificates must check with the Department Chairperson or their Graduate Program Advisor for requirements in effect at the time of admission to the Graduate Program. At the time of publication of this catalog, the requirements for formal admission to graduate degree and certificate programs were:
1. Submit a completed Application for Formal Admission to Graduate Programs in Professional Education.
2. Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work both to the Education Department and to the Registrar's Office.
3. Have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all upper division course work taken during the last two years of undergraduate study.
4. Have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate course work attempted.
5. Have achieved the required scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Consult the Education Department for the specific score at the time of admission.
6. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation supporting the applicant's ability to succeed in a graduate program from such persons as (a) the applicant's immediate supervisor, (b) a professional colleague, and (c) a university professor other than the Graduate Program Advisor.
7. Submit a completed Program of Courses for the appropriate degree or certificate program identifying any transfer credit to be applied to the program.
8. Obtain the recommendation of the Graduate Program Advisor. The Graduate Program Committee carefully considers each application and makes the decision to formally admit applicant or deny admissions. Students may reapply when all admissions criteria have been met. The student is notified of the faculty's decision, in writing within seven (7) days. The student may appeal any adverse decision by submitting a written petition to the Chairperson of the Education Department. * Upon receipt of such a petition, the Department Faculty shall promptly review the case and inform the student of their decision.

*The Graduate Petition form can be picked up in the Education Department Office or completed on-line at the Education Department's website.

DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
To receive the Master of Education degree and/or certificate, the student must complete the approved Program of Courses subject to the following conditions:
1. All course work must be completed within six (6) calendar years.
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be maintained in all graduate work.
3. A maximum of six (6) semester hours of "C" credit may be counted.
4. Any grade below C will not be accepted.
5. Correspondence courses will not be accepted.
6. A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of courses taken at another institution may be approved by the Graduate Admission Committee if the courses fall within the time limit, if the other institution is regionally-accredited, and if a grade of B or better has been received.
7. A maximum of three (3) semester hours of Independent Study or workshop credit may be counted.
8. A minimum of twenty-one (21) semester hours of courses must be at the 500 level or above.
9. Certificate candidates must have three years of full-time certified employment at the grade level of the certificate to obtain Institutional Recommendation.
10. Degree candidates must complete one of the following capstone experiences: written comprehensive examination, thesis, portfolio, comprehensive paper, or action research project.

GRADES
The symbols used in grading are as follows: A, excellent; B, above average; C, average; D, below average but passing; F, failure; I, incomplete. In graduate courses in education, a mark of an Incomplete does not automatically convert to a grade of F; however, all degree requirements must be completed within a six-year time limit.

In computing grade point averages, A equals 4 points, B equals 3 points, C equals 2 points, D equals 1 point, and F equals 0 points. A student who has earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 or better in a graduate degree program in education is designated as a Stoffer Scholar at Commencement.

ACADEMIC STATUS: FULL-TIME GRADUATE STUDENT
Graduate students enrolled for 9 or more semester hours are considered to be full-time students.

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