MSEd (Master of Science in Education) View in Kuali Update Delete Update Rules PDF

Goals / Objectives / Outcomes

The goal of the Master of Science in Education program is to facilitate the comprehensive development of educators as servant leaders in their communities.

This goal is realized by providing opportunities for candidates to become effective in the following roles: (a) a caring person, (b) an informed facilitator of learning, (c) a reflective decision-maker, and (d) a committed professional. These then lay the foundation for professional excellence and constitute the core objectives of the Master of Science in Education program.

Admission Requirements

An applicant to the Master of Science in Education program will comply with the following requirements in order to be admitted in regular standing:

1. GPA Requirement: A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on the undergraduate level or a 3.00 average (with no grade lower than B-) on a minimum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit.
2. TOEFL or Duolingo English Test: International students whose language of education is not English must submit their score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo English Test. A minimum score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL test or 120 on the Duolingo English Test is required for regular admission.
3. Statement of Purpose: Candidates are to complete a written Statement of Purpose essay, following the guidelines provided by the School of Education, Psychology, and Counseling.
4. Background Check: Applicants must submit results of a CastleBranch background check or verification of a clear background check from their current employer. Legal declaration and waiver forms, along with instructions for completing a background check via CastleBranch are available on the MSEd page of the university's Graduate Studies page.
5. Certification: Current NAD Basic certification or state initial certification, or proof of past NAD Basic or state initial certification. Applicants to the Master of Science in Education program with an Outdoor Education emphasis are exempt from this requirement.
6. Resume: Applicants are to submit a professional resume.
7. Recommendations: Submission of two professional recommendations. Forms are available from the Graduate Studies Office or online at southern.edu/graduatestudies.
8. Educational Experience (Instructional Leadership Only): Verification of two years successful teaching experience in a public school or non-public school, preK-12, that is approved by a recognized accrediting agency or approved by a state department of education; an institution of higher education approved by a regional accrediting association; U.S. government teaching programs; teacher exchange programs; or teaching in the armed forces of the United States.
9. Admission Approval: Applicants must receive program admission approval from MSEd Council.

Regular admission may be granted with the applicant meets all admission requirements. Individuals who do not meet all requirements may be considered for provisional admission on a case-by-case basis. Individuals with an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.00 may be considered for provisional admission if the GPA of their upper-division (typically 300- and 400- level) courses exceeds a 2.75.

Program Specific Info

Field Experiences

Candidates in the MSEd programs are required to conduct research as a component of Clinical Practice. The proposal will typically be developed as part of the graduate research course. The results of the research study are to be made available as a resource for faculty and colleagues, and is managed at the Southern Adventist University institutional repository (KnowledgeExchange@southern.edu).

Candidates engaged in a MSEd clinical practice experience must document impact on student learning, typically evidenced through analysis and reflections on pre- and post-assessments results. Furthermore, all candidates involved in field experiences are to complete the Field Experience Diversity Form, available from the School of Education and Psychology.

Requirements

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from a Master of Science in Education program, a candidate must complete all university and School of Education, Psychology, and Counseling requirements. In addition, the candidate must provide evidence of the following:

1. Research Implementation: Receive a score of proficient or higher on each of the components of the Research Implementation Evaluation.
2. Comprehensive Questions: Successfully respond to comprehensive questions. Candidates will respond to core assessments, as well as questions specific to the area of emphasis. Responses will be evaluated in terms of accuracy of information, breadth and depth of knowledge, and written communication skills.
3. Portfolio/Thesis: Students completing the Outdoor Education emphasis are required to submit a professional portfolio or complete and successfully defend a thesis as required by EDUC 598.