PROGRAM MISSION: 

To support the University, the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education, and the Department of Teacher Education, the mission of the Master of Education program is to extend the professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes of educators, including those in schools, business, industry, and higher education. The program is designed to advance the theoretical and practical applications of curriculum and instruction for all learners. 

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY:

The Master of Education (MEd) degree program at Weber State University is practice-oriented with the primary focus of enhancing knowledge, skills, and attitudes of educators. In support of the Conceptual Framework , "Student Achievement: Students, Teachers, and Communities working Together," the goals of the curriculum reflect an emphasis on preparing master teachers: 

• who are reflective of their own practices and their impact on students.

• who engage students through a variety of strategies to ensure growth in knowledge and learning processes that they might become independent lifetime learners.

• who collaborate with peers and students in learning communities.

• who are knowledgeable and current in their chosen areas.

• who engage in research to improve educational practices and those of peers.

In cooperation with the university, the program provides avenues for continuing professional development and continual learning for university faculty as well as students, and encourages the university values of teaching, scholarship, and service.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: 

The goals of the program are accomplished through courses (face-to-face and on-line), seminars, independent study, cooperative learning groups, individual and group assignments and projects that emphasize a practical implementation of theory to the teaching environment. Courses are generally scheduled weekly at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. during the academic year and in two four week daytime blocks during the summer term. Elective courses, workshops and conferences are open to educators who are not seeking a MEd degree but wish to improve their professional knowledge and teaching skills. 

The 36 semester hour program of study consists of a 21 hour professional core requirement and 15 hours of graduate committee-approved professional education electives and/or courses in the student's discipline. A portion of the core requirement is the completion of a Master's project, a practical application of knowledge and research. 

Candidates for the Master of Education degree must satisfy the following requirements:

Professional education core requirements (21 semester credit hours): MEDUC 6000 (2), 6010 (2), 6020 (2), 6030 (2), 6050 (3), 6060 (2), 6080 (3), 6085 (1), 6090 (3), 6091 (1) and 15 additional credit hours of graduate professional education electives, supporting discipline courses, or specialized courses in Special Education, Gifted and Talented, ESL or ESL/Bilingual.

At admission, a maximum of 9 current letter-graded graduate level semester hours or 12 quarter hours can be accepted into the program with the approval of the program director. Credits are subject to the currency rule, i.e., at the time of completion of the degree, no credits may be older than six years. 

At the present time, Weber State University offers graduate level content courses in the Departments of English, Health Promotion and Human Performance, History, Mathematics, and Science. 

Detailed registration information is printed in the WSU Catalog and/or class schedule which can be obtained from the University Bookstore. Program class schedules are available outside the MEd office. Tuition and fees follow the policy established by the university and Utah Board of Regents for graduate students.

Licensure Tracks via the Master's Program

The MEd has a track leading to secondary teacher licensure if the applicant has a bachelor's degree in a recognized major from an accredited university, has passed the Praxis II subject-area test, completed a background check, and meets other MEd admission requirements.

The MEd also has a track leading to elementary teacher licensure if the applicant has a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, has passed the Praxis II elementary subject test, completed a background check, meets other MEd admission requirements, and completed a transcript review sheet and any noted deficiencies (see the U.S.O.E website http://www.schools.utah.gov.cert/apt/arl/eligibility-elementary.htm ).

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

 A limited number of partial tuition waivers are available to students who are admitted to the MEd program. Only admitted students can receive tuition waivers. Applicants should be outstanding scholars and practitioners, maintaining a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5.  Awards are given once a year and are announced during March or April. For further information on financial aid refer to the WSU Catalog or visit the University's Financial Aids office (Student Services Building; telephone (801) 626-7003.) 

ADMISSIONS:

Admission to Weber State University is required prior to acceptance into the Master of Education Program. A student may register for graduate level elective courses and MEDUC 6000 before being admitted into the MEd program. 

If a student has not attended WSU for over one year or has attended another educational institution since attending WSU, she must be readmitted to the university before registering for classes. A student who is not currently enrolled, but has attended WSU in the last year may reactivate her file by contacting the Admissions Office. 

Program Admission: MEd candidates are selected through the process outlined below. Applications for admission into the Master of Education Program should be completed by the candidate and received by the program secretary before the following deadlines: May 1 for Fall Semester, November 1 for Spring Semester, and March 1 for Summer Term.  This allows admitted students time to register for classes before they are filled.  The MEd office does actively admit students throughout the year.

MEd candidates are selected through the process outlined below:

• Submitted application form for admission to Weber State University.

• Completed application form for the MEd Program submitted with a $25 admission fee. (Non-refundable; payable to WSU Master of Education Program). Note: Fees must be paid before application will be processed. 

• Verified Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

• It is recommended, but not required, for applicants for the MEd Program to have completed one year of full-time post-baccalaureate professional teaching.  If the teaching certificate has been earned, verification should be presented.  For the purpose of this program teaching is defined as instructional experience in levels pre-k to 12th grade in public, private school or an ecclesiastical setting, or experience teaching adults in higher education, business, industry or a community program. It is expected that a teacher is responsible for the delivery of instruction and the assessment of learning, and has used an organized curriculum.

• Receipt of official transcripts from previously attended institutions, including WSU, sent directly to the MEd office.

• Receipt of three recommendations on teaching ability sent directly to the MEd office.

• A calculated GPA of 3.25 or above on the latest 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of approved undergraduate/graduate coursework OR a calculated GPA of 3.00 to 3.24, AND a minimum score of either 396 (scaled score) on the Miller's Analogies Test (MAT) or 480 each on the Verbal and Quantitative, and 5.0 (73)  Analytical on the writing portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). 

Call the WSU Testing Center, Stewart Library, (801) 626-6803, for test information. A fee is required for both tests. The MAT and the GRE may be repeated once. You will be notified by the MEd office if you will be required to take the MAT or GRE, or if you calculated GPA is below a 3.0 and is not sufficient for admissions to the program.

• U.S. Citizen applicants who speak English as a second language are required to present evidence of a minimum TOEFL score of 550, and at the discretion of the program director, may be required to take the ACTFL oral language English proficiency assessment.

• Successful completion of a formal oral interview with the program director. 

• Successful completion of a writing proficiency assessment.

Additional Requirements for International and ESL Candidates 

• Verification of a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.

• Verification of a Weber State University-accepted Bachelor's degree.

• Transcripts showing all individual courses evaluated into the equivalent of American credits and letter grades.

• If the calculated GPA is lower than 3.25, or the evaluated transcript cannot be calculated for the latest 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of coursework, then a minimum score of 480 each on the Quantitative and Analytical parts of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required. Call the WSU Testing Center, Stewart Library, (801) 626-6803, for test information. A fee is required for both tests. The GRE may be repeated once.

• ACTFL standard of Intermediate-High on oral language English proficiency assessment.

• International applicants who speak English as a second language who have earned undergraduate degrees from U.S. universities and previously completed the TOEFL with a score of 550 or greater are not subject to the TOEFL requirement. However, at the discretion of the program director, they may be required to take the ACTFL oral language English proficiency assessment.

Reapplication:

If an applicant does not qualify for admission, he/she may reapply. All current requirements must be met. A maximum of three applications are allowed.

Special Circumstances:

Applicants who do not meet the standard admission criteria but believe they have equivalent qualifications may appeal to the MEd Program and Policy Committee after consultation with the program director.

STUDENT STATUS:

 Graduate students are classified as full-time if they register for 9 or more semester hours. However, for the purposes of financial aid, students must be registered half-time or 5 semester credit hours. Graduate students are considered currently enrolled at WSU as long as they take at least one course per semester. Students are not required to take courses during summer term to remain eligible to register for classes. Students must be registered for at least one course the semester they complete the program requirements. 

ADVISEMENT:

Advisement begins when prospective students make their first inquiries about the Master’s program to the MEd office secretary. Advisement by the program director is initiated when a prospective candidate has submitted a program admission application, application fee, transcripts, and recommendation forms. If the transcripts reflect an acceptable GPA, test scores (MAT, GRE where required, TOEFL score, ACTFL oral language English proficiency assessment, and transcript evaluation for international students), and the recommendation forms are positive, the prospective candidate makes an appointment with the program director for an interview. The interview is an opportunity for the prospective candidate and the program director to discuss the program, the candidate’s goals and interests, and possible area of project interest. 

When the prospective candidate is admitted to the program, the program director is the temporary advisor, answering questions about curriculum, approving transfer courses, and helping with the selection of members for the graduate committee. By the time a student has accrued 16 to 18 semester hours of credit, she shall have selected a graduate committee, and the chair of that committee becomes the principal advisor.