2005-2006 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 30, 2024  
2005-2006 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Education (M.Ed.)


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The Master of Education degree program at Lyndon is designed to meet the needs and challenges of teachers today: schools are restructuring; classroom dynamics are more complex; student needs are more intense. Teachers are expected to do more in and out of the classroom to support students and their readiness to learn. Degree programs reflect this changing and challenging context.

The core of five courses provides the foundation for all four concentrations. Each of the concentrations consists of core courses, other required courses, and electives. A culminating project or exam is also a component. Courses are typically offered late in the day or in the early evenings during the academic year. Summer institutes and other course options are available as well.

Admissions

In order to be considered for admission into the Master of Education program, applicants must submit to the Admissions Office an admissions portfolio of the items listed below. An interview is also required.

Written Portfolio

  1. A completed M.Ed. Graduate Program Application form.
  2. A two-three page statement which describes desired out comes from participation in the masters program and the rationale for choice of concentration.
  3. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. (Note: students who completed courses or degrees at LSC must request that the Registrar’s Office forward a copy of their transcript to the Admissions.)
  4. At least two letters of recommendation from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability and commitment to complete a graduate degree.
  5. Recent scores (no more than five years old) from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
  6. A 45-minute timed writing sample graded by faculty from the English Department (use of dictionaries is not permitted during this exercise).
  7. A non-refundable fee of $35.00.

An applicant file must be completed within six months of the date the initial admission application is received. If the file is not complete within this time period, the application is discarded and the process must begin again.

If the applicant does not achieve an acceptable score on the standardized test (Graduate Record Exam or the Miller Analogies Test), the student may retake the test. If a second below-standard score is received, the applicant may not retest for another six months. After a failed retest, applicants may submit a written justification for why the standardized test score should not be considered in the admissions process.

If an applicant fails the writing sample, the test may be attempted a second time only with the permission of the academic department in charge of the student’s desired concentration.

Depending on the errors made, failure of the writing sample can lead to lack of admission to the program or to inclusion of a writing course in one’s graduate program.

Interview

An interview is required as part of the M.Ed. admissions process. The purposes of the interview are to assess the applicant’s ability to do graduate level work, to clarify the applicant’s professional and academic goals, and to determine the fit between the LSC graduate program and the student’s goals.

Interviews are planned once a semester. Fall interviews are arranged in October. Spring interviews are arranged for February. Interviews can also be arragnged anytime by appointment. Only students with complete written portfolios are eligible for interviews.

Matriculated Status

Shortly after the interview process, applicants will be notified in writing about whether they have been accepted into the degree program. If an applicant is accepted to the graduate program, the applicant becomes a matriculated graduate student.

Completing a Degree Program

Faculty Advisors

Within one semester of acceptance, students select an advisor, review concentration requirements with the advisor, and make initial plans regarding electives. Advisors support students in completing requirements and planning independent activities (e.g., final product). Students are responsible for monitoring their own degree requirements and progress. A change of major, advisor form should be completed at the registrar’s office to record the students selection of advisor.

Transfer Credit

Up to nine (9) graduate credits may be transferred into an LSC graduate degree. A request for transfer credits is made to the Academic Dean, who makes the determination about the acceptance of credits. To be eligible for transfer-credit consideration, graduate courses must have a grade of “B” or better, be relevant to the degree program, and have been taken within the five (5) years prior to the date of matriculation. Transfer credits will count toward graduation only when approved by the Academic Dean within the first year after matriculation.

Core courses completed at Lyndon State College within the five years before matriculation into the M.Ed. program can be included in a degree program and do not count against the ninecredit transfer limit. In other words, students may transfer in any recent LSC core courses in addition to nine (9) relevant graduate credits approved by the Academic Dean.

Credit Requirements

The Master of Education credit requirements include the completion of five core courses (15 credits) plus another twenty-one (21) credits of required and elective courses as appropriate for the particular concentration. The total of 36 credits must be completed within five years of matriculation.

Core Courses


Five core courses are required in the Master of Education degree program. One is offered each semester and in the summer. The Academic Affairs Office makes available the schedule of these offerings.

Concentrations


Students may select from three Master of Education concentrations: Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, and Teaching & Counseling. All concentrations are designed for educators and are most relevant for those teaching kindergarten through grade 12.

Each of the concentrations and the related courses are described below. Students are responsible for their education and shall maintain personal record of their progress toward graduation.

The Education Department is responsible for graduate curriculum and student matters for two concentrations: Curriculum & Instruction, and Special Education. The Psychology Department has the responsibilities for the Teaching & Counseling concentration. The two departments work jointly on graduate matters of mutual concern and interest (e.g., core courses, independent studies, final product committees, program planning).

Curriculum & Instruction Concentration


This concentration is available to teachers who desire to strengthen their understanding of curriculum building processes and instructional methods. Students may include up to nine credits of course work in departments outside of psychology and education.

Requirements for the Concentration in Curriculum & Instruction


Required Course Work (3 Credits Each)


  • Special Education Credits: 3
  • Math/Computer Credits: 3
  • Reading/Language Arts Credits: 3

Elective Course Work (May Be in Other Disciplines) Credits: 6


Final Examination


Total Required Credits: 36


Special Education Concentration


The Special Education concentration provides an opportunity for students to develop study plans that may focus 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.

Requirements for the Concentration in Special Education


The Teaching & Counseling Concentration


This concentration is designed for teachers who would like to strengthen their ability to support and counsel students. Possible topic areas include child and/or adolescent development, individual and family counseling, group development, teaching methods to enhance the learning of those with learning or emotional difficulties. The focus is on counseling in the school and classroom. This degree does not prepare one for certification or licensure in mental health counseling.

Requirements for the Concentration in Teaching & Counseling


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