Designed for early, middle and secondary teachers, the master of arts in education (MAEd) program offers students fresh perspectives on teaching and learning. Through personalized courses of study, students strengthen their classroom teaching, expand their knowledge of relevant content areas and experience dynamic professional growth.
The master of arts in education program at Bluffton University is composed of core courses and two possible concentrations: liberal arts and sciences and the intervention specialist-mild/moderate educational needs. Students pursuing a master’s degree will choose one of the concentrations. Students who already have a master’s degree or do not wish to pursue a master’s degree may complete intervention specialist-mild/moderate educational needs courses for an intervention specialist (K-12) license.
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Program characteristics
The MAEd program enjoys these unique characteristics:
Program overview
The MAEd program includes a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework:
Required core: (21 semester hours)
EDU 620 The World of Art (3)* or
EDU 540 The World of Literature (3)*
EDU 630 American Studies (3)*
EDU 645 Educational Technology (3)
EDU 650 Research Methods in Education (3)
EDU 660 Classroom Assessment and Application (3)
EDU 680 The Historical and Philosophical Basis of American Education (3)
EDU 695 Teachers as Action Researchers (3)
Concentrations:
Humanities: (9 semester hours)
EDU 515 Non-Western Studies alternate years (may be taken twice) (3)*
EDU 630 American Studies (must be taken twice) (3)*
EDU 640 Curriculum Integration (2)
EDU 530 Curriculum Exploration: Model for Integrating the Arts in the Curriculum (1)
(Must be taken with EDU 640 and can be repeated for elective credit)
Mathematics and Science: (9 semester hours)
EDU 520 Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, alternate years (may be taken twice) (3)*
EDU 525 Discovery and Modeling in the Mathematics Classroom, alternate years (3)*
EDU 640 Curriculum Integration (3)
EDU 530 Curriculum Exploration: Model for Integrating the Arts in the Curriculum (1)
(Must be taken with EDU 640 and can be repeated for elective credit)
Intervention Specialist License (K-12): (21 semester hours)
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Students with Disabilities
EDU 215 Human Growth and Development
Required Courses:
SED 600 Students with Disabilities in a Diverse Society (may also fulfill EDU 630 American Studies in the core)
SED 601 Instructional Strategies: Young Children with Mild/Moderate Educational Needs (2)
SED 602 Instructional Strategies: Young Adolescents with Mild/Moderate Educational Needs (2)
SED 603 Classroom Organization: IS (3)
SED 604 Advanced Diagnosis and Educational Planning (3)
SED 605 Reading and Language Arts for Diverse Learners (3)
SED 606 Issues in Special Education (1)
SED 607 Collaboration (3)
SED 608 Practicum (3)
Additional requirements for Ohio Department of Education licensure: 12 credits of teaching reading, including a 3 credit course in Teaching Phonics.
* Although course topics change each year, course objectives are maintained.
Education Courses
EDU 515 Non-Western Studies (3)
Provides an overview of history from a non-Western perspective. A survey course which examines the history, thought and contributions of Eastern civilizations, it also provides an opportunity for students to examine in depth a particular element, art form or feature of a non-Western culture. The course may be repeated. Offered alternate years.
EDU 530 Curriculum Exploration: Model for Integrating the Arts in the Curriculum (1)
Aids students in the development of classroom learning activities based on the works, inspiration and experience of the noted author, visual artist, composer or performing artist directing the workshop. Because a different area of the arts is emphasized each time it is offered, the workshop may be repeated up to three times for elective credit. It is recommended that the workshop be taken simultaneously with EDU 640 and/or 620. Frequently the workshop is sponsored by The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center of Bluffton University.
EDU 532 Curriculum Workshop: Mathematics (1)
Combines mathematics content with classroom techniques, activities, methods and discoveries. Emphasis is placed on making mathematics meaningful. Since a different area of mathematics is emphasized each time it is offered, the workshop may be repeated.
EDU 534 Curriculum Workshop: Science (1)
Combines mathematics content with classroom techniques, activities, methods and discoveries. Emphasis is placed on making science meaningful. Since a different area of science is emphasized each time it is offered, the workshop may be repeated.
EDU 535 Graduate Workshop: Topics Vary (1-3)
Graduate workshops are offered through the master of arts in education program to provide workshop credit to area teachers seeking professional development hours. Topics vary according to interest or need. Each course is usually held on a single weekend or during the summer. Workshops offered under EDU 535 do not count toward the master's degree program at Bluffton University but can be used as professional development through a teacher's LPDC.
EDU 590 Independent Study (3)
Permits students opportunities to investigate areas of interest in greater depth. Students apply for approval from the director of the MAEd program by completing an independent study form.
EDU 645 Educational Technology (3)
The intent of this course is to provide the candidate with skills necessary for using educational technology creatively in the classroom. Candidates will work in small groups with defined responsibilities and create and use the class as a lab for practice teaching. Simple non-traditional tools, such as micro-chip controlled tools (such as Lego Mindstorms) will be explored and used. The course will focus on hands-on teaching, exploring the literature on technology and education and current technology tools used in the classroom.
EDU 660 Classroom Assessment and Application (3)
Enhances students’ knowledge of tests and measurements for practicing classroom teachers and satisfies the Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment stipulated by the National Council of Assessment of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. Students become skilled in choosing, developing, administering, scoring and interpreting external and teacher-produced assessment methods. Emphasis is placed on developing skilled applications of principles and procedures.
EDU 695 Teachers as Action Researchers (3)
A continuation of research methods where students complete the approved research project developed in EDU 650. Final projects are presented to the Bluffton University community in an “Action Research Symposium.” The final project becomes a permanent part of the student’s file.
Special Education Courses
SED 600 Students with Disabilities in a Diverse Society (3)
This course is designed to enable educators to place students with exceptional learning needs (ELN) in the context of a diverse society. Prerequisites: Undergraduate or graduate level course in Introduction to Students with Disabilities (determined by transcript review).
SED 601 Instructional Strategies: Young Children with M/M Educational Needs (3)
This course is designed to develop educator competency, to analyze the young learner (ages 3 – 8) with exceptional learning needs (ELN), and to plan the “least restrictive environment” for the young child with ELN. Skills will focus on designing, implementing and evaluating appropriate educational interventions in the areas of language, math, reading, social studies, science, the arts and movement. Fifteen field hours in an inclusive early childhood setting are required. Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 602 Instructional Strategies: Young Adolescents with M/M Educational Needs (3)
This course is designed to develop educator competency, to analyze the young adolescent and AYA learner with exceptional learning needs (ELN), and to plan the “least restrictive environment” for the learner with ELN. Skills will focus on designing, implementing and evaluating appropriate educational interventions in the areas of language, math, reading, social studies, science, the arts and movement that are age and ability appropriate. Field experiences in a middle school and high school setting are required (21 hours total). Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 603 Advanced Classroom Organization: Intervention Specialist (3)
This course is designed as an advanced course to assist prospective intervention specialists in understanding student and teacher behaviors as they apply to good classroom organization. Students will explore techniques for maximizing learning in a variety of classroom settings, building students’ self concepts and understanding the use and abuse of power. The focus will be on building communities of respect that nurture and support high levels of student learning. Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 604 Advanced Diagnosis and Educational Planning (3)
This course is designed as an advanced course and focuses on information and practical experiences relating to assessment and the development of academic and social planning for the learning of individuals with ELN. Fifteen hours of field experience required. Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 605 Reading and Language Arts for Diverse Learners (3)
This course focuses on speech and language acquisition of the typically and atypically developing child. It also presents an overview of various disorders and their effects on receptive and expressive language functions and learning. Ten hours of field experience required. Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 606 Issues in Special Education (3)
This course is designed to present current issues affecting the education of individuals with ELN. Students will examine contemporary research, current federal and state regulations, and special education service delivery models. Students will also reflect upon their role as a professional educator and life-long learner and how to access on-going professional development. Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 607 Collaboration (3)
This course prepares the prospective special educator to work effectively with individuals with ELN, families, school and community personnel, and general educators to develop and implement individualized programs. Communication skills, methods to access support services and team processes are covered with special emphasis on respect when working with individuals from differing cultural, socio-economic and educational backgrounds. Prerequisite: SED 600.
SED 608 Practicum: Intervention Specialist (3)
This practicum provides supervised experiences in applying the principles techniques learned in the professional courses to actual classroom situations under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher. Practicum students spend full days in their assigned classroom for 10 weeks. Prerequisite: All courses in the intervention specialist program.
The following are the criteria for admission to the MAEd program:
Conditional admission
When an applicant fails to meet the regular admission requirements and there is cause for significant concern about the student’s success in the program, the MAEd faculty committee (or the director/designee and a subgroup of two MAEd committee members during the summer) may choose to grant conditional admission to that applicant. A conditionally admitted student who fails to achieve a GPA of 3.0 during the first nine hours will be placed on academic suspension. At this point the regular suspension procedures apply.
Special student status
Special student status may be granted to applicants to permit them to complete nine semester hours of course-work prior to regular admission to the MAEd program. During the first nine semester hours, special students must demonstrate an ability to maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) to be considered for regular admission.
As space allows, special student status also may be granted to non-degree-seeking students who hold a bachelor’s degree. Applicants should complete special student status forms as a part of the application process.
The MAEd program is designed for classroom teachers with experience. As space allows, however, a limited number of teachers without classroom experience may be admitted to the program.
Transfer of graduate credit
If completed within five years of the application date, up to six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) of graduate credit may be transferred to the MAEd program from another accredited institution. Credits transferred must be approved by a relevant MAEd instructor (for core courses) or the director of the MAEd program (for elective courses). Workshop credits are not transferable.
International students
International applicants are expected to have a minimum score of 565 on the TOEFL exam. This requirement can be waived at the discretion of the director and/or the admissions committee of the MAEd, provided satisfactory English proficiency on an alternative evaluative measure can be demonstrated. In addition, all foreign language documents accompanying the application must include notarized translations.
Admission to candidacy
Students who have completed 15 semester hours of coursework (including transfer credits) at a B level or above may apply for admission to candidacy for the degree. Eligible students should submit candidacy applications to the director of the MAEd program for review by the MAEd committee. Students not admitted to candidacy should meet with the director of the MAEd program to discuss the resubmission of candidacy applications. A 3.0 GPA is required to maintain candidacy.
