Graduate programs in education handbook

Graduate programs in education handbook

Table of contents
An introduction to Bluffton
Accreditation
Standards of campus conduct
Description of graduate programs in education
Admissions
Financial information
Academic procedures
Graduation requirements
Course descriptions
Weather cancellations
Office of Adult and Graduate Education

Description of graduate programs in education

Bluffton s graduate programs in education is designed for early childhood, middle childhood and adolescent/young adult teachers to strengthen their classroom teaching, to expand upon their content area knowledge base, to experience professional growth, to be nurtured in a small church-related liberal arts environment in which education can be personalized and to participate in a program that has academic integrity and which forges new perspectives on teaching and learning. The intervention specialist concentration provides early, middle and adolescent/young adult teachers the opportunity to earn additional teaching credentials.

Students complete the liberal arts core and one of three concentrations: humanities, instructional leadership or intervention specialist licensure to earn a master of arts in education degree.

We also offer an early childhood endorsement to include grades 4 and 5 to those who currently have an early childhood license covering grades prek-3. 

Assumptions underlying the graduate programs in education

1. Effective teaching involves a marriage between content and methodology.
2. An effective teacher should be able to see and experience the connections and relationships among subject areas.
3. Effective teachers engage daily in research and decision-making related to that research.
4. Action research provides teachers one key to genuine educational reform by systematically studying a learning/teaching problem.
5. Education should enlighten, broaden perspectives and increase tolerance of others.
6. A liberal arts education is the foundation of an informed citizenry.
7. The religious and social tenets inherent in the mission of Bluffton can contribute immeasurably to the advanced preparation of teachers.

Education department vision
The vision of Bluffton University s education department at the graduate level is to prepare educational leaders who nurture communities of learning and respect. Candidates are encouraged to expand the traditional concept of community beyond the classroom to include the school building, district, and the parents and community members who support the school. To this end, the programs in the Bluffton University department of education include courses and field experiences based upon a curriculum model which joins content and methodology within three major tenets: Communities of Learning, Communities of Respect and Educators as Professionals. 

Within this framework, candidates completing programs through the department of education at Bluffton will meet the performance-based expectations of the Ohio Department of Education (based on INTASC principles).

Communities of learning
All Bluffton University teacher education candidates:

1. demonstrate strong content knowledge
2. understand how students learn and develop
3. employ effective teaching strategies that lead to high levels of student learning
4. employ effective teaching strategies that encourage critical thinking and problem solving
5. implement on-going assessment through a variety of formal and informal strategies
6. have knowledge and skills and use technology to enhance learning

Communities of respect
All Bluffton University teacher education candidates:

1. nurture respectful classrooms
2. develop inclusive classrooms that value each student
3. use non-violent conflict resolution strategies to demonstrate respect
4. celebrate diversity
5. provide instruction to accommodate diversity      

Educators as professionals
All Bluffton University teacher education candidates:

1. develop and maintain collaborative relationships with parents, colleagues and the community
2. act upon the understanding that they have been called to a vocation
3. communicate effectively using verbal and nonverbal techniques
4. reflect on teaching and student learning
5. value and participate in on-going professional development

Project and written report
The project is the culminating activity of the master s program and is carried out in EDU 695 Teachers as Action Researchers. At this point, the student conducts, synthesizes, evaluates and reports on the outcome of the research.

The research project findings are reported in writing and to the public in a symposium format. Since the written research report is not a thesis, it should be a standard research report, as one would find in an education journal. A realistic length for the written report, using the recommended APA style, is approximately 30 pages. A copy of the report will be placed on file in the graduate studies office and in the Bluffton library.

The honor system
Bluffton observes the honor system in taking examinations and writing research papers. No monitor is in the classroom during test or examination periods. Students are asked to write and sign the following pledge on every examination paper: I am unaware of any aid having been given or received during this examination. If a student cannot conscientiously sign this pledge, the course instructor is to be notified.

Plagiarism is considered a serious violation of the honor system. Plagiarism is presenting either the exact words of the ideas of someone else as though they are your own. It is never acceptable. A violation generally means failing the assignment, sometimes failing the course and may result in removal from the program. Reported offenses are resolved by the director of the program in consultation with the instructor and the student.

On-campus parking
Graduate students may park in the parking lot off Bentley Road, just south of the football stadium, and if arriving after 5 p.m., in the parking lots near Founders Hall.

Admission criteria

Students applying for admission to the graduate program must submit the following materials to the director of graduate studies:

1. An application including the completion of three essay questions.
2. A nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application fee is waived for Bluffton graduates.
3. Official transcripts from all previous university work.
4. Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references.
5. Teaching license and/or evidence of teaching experience.
6. Enrollment in the intervention specialist licensure concentration requires passing scores on the Praxis I to verify basic skills. The following scores are required: reading, at least 173; writing, at least 173; mathematics, at least 172. We also accept passing scores on a Praxis I equivalent.

Upon receipt of all of the above information, the materials will be processed, including an evaluation by the graduate studies council, for admission to the graduate program. The following criteria must be met in order to be fully admitted to the program:

1. Bachelor s degree from an accredited institution.
2. A 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the last half of the bachelor s degree program.
3. Passing scores on the Praxis I test or an equivalent test.
4. Completed application materials, as noted above, on file.
5. Satisfactory letters of recommendation.
6. Advising session with the advisor or the director of the program.
7. Approval for admission by the graduate programs in education committee.

Special student status
Special student status may be granted to permit students to take up to nine hours before regular admission, if they did not initially meet the regular admissions criteria. Students must demonstrate during the first nine hours an ability to maintain a 3.0 grade point average (4.0 scale) in order to be reconsidered for regular admission.

Special student status may also be granted to non-degree-seeking students, as space allows, if they hold a bachelor s degree and have completed the special student status forms and other materials requested as part of the application process. Up to nine hours may be completed under this status.

Although the program is designed for classroom teachers with experience, a limited number of those without experience may be admitted, as space allows.

Transfer credit
Up to six semester hours or nine quarter hours of transfer credit may be applied to the program as long as the credit is for graduate courses, from an accredited institution and approved by the Bluffton content professor or a designee (core courses) and the program director or designee (elective credit). In accordance with program policy, workshop credits will not be transferable. In addition, in order for work to be accepted it must be completed no more than 10 years prior to application.

Advising
Bluffton provides for advising of students in the following ways:

1. Students meet with the director of graduate studies or a designee for an initial program orientation.
2. Each degree-seeking student will have a program adviser designated by the director from the point of admission to the program until completion of the program.

Financial information

Bluffton is a non-profit institution. The tuition, fees and other expenses paid by the students cover only a part of the cost. The balance is met by income from endowment and gifts, and contributions from Mennonite churches, alumni and other friends of the university. The university reviews fees annually and reserves the right to make changes in fees and deposits.

Penalty for late payment
Interest on past due accounts is computed at 1 percent per month (12%APR). Transcripts and diplomas will not be furnished until the account is paid in full. A student with an unpaid account may not continue classes in a subsequent semester.

Refund policies
Students who withdraw during any period of enrollment at Bluffton and follow the approved withdrawal procedures (see Academic Procedure) will receive refunds for instructional fees according to the following schedule:

• Up to and including the first day of classes in the semester.. .100% refund
• From second day to 10 % period of time (class days) in the semester. 90% refund
• After 10% and up to 20% period of time (class days) in the semester 80% refund
• After 20% and up to 30% period of time (class days) in the semester 70% refund
• After 30% and up to 40% period of time (class days) in the semester 60% refund
• After 40% and up to 50% period of time (class days) in the semester 50% refund
• After 50% and up to 60% period of time (class days) in the semester . 40% refund
• After 60% period of time (class days) in the semester ...No refund

*Students may contact Coral Naylor in the office of adult and graduate education at (419) 358-3012 or 800-488-3257, option 4, for information on these percentages in a specific semester.

If a refund amount is owed to the student, but the student has outstanding institutional charges or if the student owes a repayment of a cash disbursement for non-institutional costs, the university will automatically apply the refund amount to those charges or repayment. The university will also notify the student in writing if either situation has occurred.

Students who are Title IV recipients will have their aid recalculated as prescribed by federal return of Title IV funds law and regulation. These schedules are available to all prospective and currently enrolled students by contacting the business office or the office of financial aid.

Financial aid will be adjusted according to federal guidelines for students who withdraw.

Financial aid
Students should familiarize themselves with the following items and make a list of those points that require action.

Guidelines and application procedures
Entering students seeking financial assistance are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating Bluffton as one of the recipients. This application form and instruction booklet is available from the office of adult and graduate education or the office of financial aid.

The student s eligibility is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution or EFC (derived from the FAFSA) from the cost of attending Bluffton. In addition to tuition and fees, estimates are included in determining the student expense budget for books and supplies, living expenses, personal expenses, dependent care and transportation.

Students should be aware of application deadlines established by off-campus sources of aid including state and federal agencies. These deadlines are announced about one year before the beginning of the academic year.

Students seeking to continue financial assistance must re-apply for any type of aid. The amount of financial assistance awarded each year will depend upon the student s continuing need for aid and the amount of funds available.

All aid is disbursed to students through the business office, typically by crediting the student s account with a calculated amount of the aid at the beginning of each billing period.

The university monitors student progress toward a degree on a per-semester basis for academic and financial aid purposes. Students who meet the academic requirements for continuing their enrollment are eligible for financial aid.

Students with questions concerning financial assistance, should contact the office of financial aid at 419-358-3266. The office of financial aid is available to help estimate eligibility for financial assistance. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Noon and evening hours are available by appointment.

So that financial eligibility may be determined in a timely manner, interested students should contact the office of financial aid at 419-358-3266 four to six weeks prior to the beginning of their first GPE course.

Loan programs
Bluffton graduate students are eligible for the Federal Student Loan Program (Stafford), subsidized or unsubsidized, for which they must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA applications are available in the office of adult and graduate education and in the office of financial aid. 

Non-federal loan alternatives exist for students who do not wish to file the FAFSA or who are unable to cover the cost of attendance with traditional Federal Stafford Loans. Additional information is available through the office of financial aid.

Students may also check with their bank or other lender for possible home equity loans that may be available with tax-deductible interest.

Other options for payment
Employer Assistance. Some employers provide educational assistance benefits to their employees. Students should check to see if their employer provides educational assistance and provide a copy of this plan to Coral Naylor in the office of adult and graduate education.

Academic procedures

Registration
All new students should have an initial advising session with the GPE advisor.

Schedule of classes
Course schedules are determined by semester and will be made available to students at time of registration.

Grading system
Students will be evaluated on a letter grade system that involves quality points. Students in good standing must maintain a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and grades will be calculated in the following manner:

A   4.0	B   3.0	C   2.0
A-  3.7	B-  2.7	F     .0
B+  3.3	C+ 2.3

Academic probation
Any time that a student s end-of-the-semester cumulative GPA in the GPE program falls below 3.0 the student is placed on academic probation. A student who is placed on probation must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of an additional nine hours or he/she will be placed on academic suspension.

Academic suspension
A student is suspended when he/she has failed to achieve a 3.0 GPA at the conclusion of any nine-hour probationary period.

A student who has been suspended may retake courses for which he/she received less than a grade of B and may be considered for readmission and regular coursework once the repeat course work has raised the student s GPA to 3.0. Tuition for courses that are being retaken is charged at the current tuition rate.

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 GPE faculty committee (or the director/designee and a subgroup of two GPE 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 status
Special student status may be granted to a non-degree-seeking student, as space allows, provided he/she holds a bachelor s degree. Up to nine hours may be completed under this status. Although the program is designed for classroom teachers with experience, a limited number of those without experience may be admitted, as space allows.

The following is required for admission as a special student:

• Complete the special student application form
• Pay the $25 admission fee

Graduation requirements

Courses in the graduate programs will be listed for students on graduate transcripts that will be maintained separately from undergraduate transcripts. Evaluation of satisfactory progress toward graduation and of completion of graduation requirements will be done at the conclusion of each semester by the registrar s office in conjunction with the director of the GPE.

Students must earn a grade of C or above in all courses required for the degree. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation from the program. Students who do not earn a grade of C or above in a required course may repeat that course to earn a satisfactory grade. Students will pay for the course each time it is taken and only the most recent grade will be included in the GPA or in total credit hours passed, although all grades will appear on the permanent transcript.

Class attendance
Students are expected to attend all sessions of each course. If an absence is unavoidable, a student must discuss that absence with the professor. Additional assignments may be required of the absent student.

Evaluation of instruction
Student evaluation of instruction is coordinated through the office of adult and graduate education. Students will be given opportunity to evaluate courses on forms distributed by the professor at the end of each course. The evaluation forms are distributed in class and class time is used for students to complete them. They are then returned to the office of adult and graduate education. They will be tabulated by the registrar s office and a report will be given to each instructor with an evaluation summary for each course as well as a summary for all courses taught by all faculty. No reports will be given to faculty until grades are turned in.

Withdrawal
The student must notify the office of adult and graduate education in writing of the intent to withdraw from a course. Neither notifying an instructor nor failing to attend a course constitutes withdrawal. Failure to complete the withdrawal procedure for a course for which they are registered but have stopped attending will result in a failing grade for the course.

GPE program overview

The graduate programs in education consists of the following components:

Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)
Includes an 18 semester hour core and an option of three strands of specialized coursework

Required core: 18 semester hours
EDU 680 Historical and Philosophical Foundations
EDU 660 Classroom Assessment and Applications
EDU 630 American Studies
EDU 620 The World of Art [Music, Art, Drama
EDU 650 Research Methods in Education                                   
EDU 695 Teachers as Action Researchers                                                         

Concentrations

Humanities: 12 semester hours
EDU 515 Non-Western Studies
EDU 560 Technology, Ethics, and Society
EDU 540 the World of Literature
EDU 530 Curriculum Exploration: Models for Integrating the Arts in the Curriculum
EDU 640 Curriculum Integration

Instructional Leadership: 12 semester hours
EDU628 Educational Collaboration and Consulatation
EDU 635 Nurturing Respectful Classrooms
EDU 655 Instructional Design
EDU 530 Curriculum Exploration: Models for Integrating the Arts in the Curriculum
EDU 640 Curriculum Integration

Intervention Specialist: 23 semester hours
Prerequisites (may be graduate or undergraduate coursework)
3 semester hours in Introduction to Students with Disabilities
3 semesters hours in a child development course
Praxis I or equivalent

Additional requirements for ODE licensure may be graduate or undergraduate coursework
12 semester hours in teaching reading including one three-hour course in teaching phonics

SED 600 Students with Disabilities in a Diverse Society (can fulfill requirement for EDU 630 in core courses)
SED 601 Instructional Strategies: Young Children with M/M Ed Needs
SED 602 Instructional Strategies: Young Adolescents with M/M Ed Needs
SED 603 Classroom Organization for Diverse Learners
SED 604 Diagnosis and Educational Planning
SED 605 Reading and Language Arts for Diverse Learners  
SED 606 Issues in Special Education 
SED 607 Collaboration
SED 608 Clinical Practice 

Intervention Specialist Licensure
(K-12 mild to moderate educational needs) may be added to any existing teaching license. This may be completed as a stand alone license or in conjunction with the MAEd.

Early Childhood Endorsement
Expands the Early Childhood License to include grades 4 & 5
EDU 525 Discovery and Modeling in the Mathematics Classroom
EDU 520 Inquiry Based Science Instruction
EDU 630 American Studies

Office of adult and graduate education
The office of adult and graduate education is located on the third floor of Hauenstein Hall in Riley Court. The office may be reached at 1-800-488-3257, option 4 or at adulted@bluffton.edu.