Master of Education (M.Ed.)

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 three 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. 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.

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.