Students who elect to pursue a M.Ed. a Lyndon State can choose between a concentration in Special Education or Curriculum & Instruction. Students opting for a concentration in Curriculum & Instruction can choose to specialize in their content area or Literacy K-12. All students working towards a M.Ed. must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. Sixteen of these credit hours are common core credits (5 courses). The additional 20 credit hours are determined by the student’s choice of concentration and their Plan of Study. A total of 36 credits must be completed within five years of matriculation.
Whenever possible, coursework is cohort-based and offered in locations convenient to students. Schools may request graduate program coursework for specific cohorts.
Course content is presented face-to-face and online. Classes are available during the school year (late afternoons, evenings and Saturdays) and during the summer.
Students pursuing either a M.Ed. in Special Education or one in Curriculum & Instruction are required to take the same core courses.
Core Courses:
· EDU 6490 – Technology for Educators Credits: 2
· EDU 6550 – Foundations & Issues of Education Credits: 3
· EDU 6280 – Education, Culture and Ecology Credits: 3
· EDU 6560 - Curriculum Development Credits: 3
· EDU 6570 – Education Research Credits: 3
· EDU 6945 – Action Research Practicum Credits: 2
Minimum Total Credits: 16
Concentrations within the M.Ed.
Students may opt for a M.Ed. in Special Education or in Curriculum & Instruction.
Students electing Curriculum & Instruction may choose to specialize in a content area (English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, and/or science) or in Literacy K-12. The Literacy K-12 specialization leads to an endorsement through DOE transcript review.
Other specializations (licenses, endorsements) occasionally are available in cooperation with the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative (VTHEC). Students taking courses through VTHEC who find they would like to work towards a M.Ed. at Lyndon are encouraged to apply to the Lyndon M.Ed. program early to enable a faculty advisor to help design a Plan of Study.
M.Ed. in Special Education
The M.Ed. in Special Education is geared for educators who currently hold licensure in special education but who are looking to further their understanding of this complex field. The degree program provides an opportunity for students to develop a Plan of Study that focuses on a broad exploration of the field or an in-depth study of topics such as learning disabilities, resource room instruction, behavior management, or assessment. The program may be combined with a plan leading to Vermont Teacher Certification in Special Education.
In addition to the common core coursework (16 credit hours), students working towards a M.Ed. in Special Education will take:
- EDU 5170 - Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities Credits: 3
- EDU 5470 - Reading Disabilities I Credits: 3
- EDU 5220 - Learning Disabilities, OR
- EDU 5110 - Teaching Students with Special Needs: Elementary Emphasis Credits: 3
- EDU 5450 - Assessment of Exceptional Students Credits: 3
- Elective course work approved by advisor Credits: 8
Minimum Total Credits: 20
M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
The M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction enables educators to strengthen their understanding of curriculum building processes and instructional methods. Two specializations are currently available: Content Area and Literacy K-12.
Specialization in Content Area
Students can pursue advanced content area in English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, and/or science at Lyndon. This specialization enables a student to more deeply explore a focused area of interest. Students working toward a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in their content area(s) will take the following coursework in addition to the common core courses:
- One graduate level methodology/pedagogy course Credits: 3
- One graduate level literacy course Credits: 3
- One graduate level assessment course Credits: 3
- Eleven (11) additional graduate credit hours approved by advisor Credits: 11
Minimum Total Credits: 20
Specialization in Literacy K-12
The Literacy K-12 specialization is designed to broaden an educator’s understanding of reading and writing and provides them with a foundation for literacy teaching across different populations and content areas. The specialization is only open to Vermont educators who hold an endorsement in early childhood, elementary education, middle grades, the secondary content areas, or special education.
Completion of this degree program enables students to acquire an endorsement as a Reading/English Language Arts Specialist through the transcript review process. Those who hold this endorsement are authorized to function as a school-wide resource to support teachers to implement reading and writing instruction and assessment practices that are informed by research, and to provide instruction in reading and writing to students in either grades K-6 or 7-12. Vermont’s general competencies for Reading/English Language Arts Specialist are integrated into graduate coursework.
Students choosing the Literacy K-12 concentration will take the following coursework in addition to the common core courses:
- Critical Issues in Literacy Credits: 3
- Reading Disability I or II Credits: 3
- One graduate level literature/media course Credits: 3
- Reading Theory and Practice – elementary/secondary Credits: 3
- Writing Theory and Practice – elementary/secondary Credits: 3
- Five additional graduate credit hours approved by advisor Credits: 5
Minimum Total Credits: 20
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