Educators are being challenged to ensure that future generations can innovatively satisfy their needs and improve their quality of life without compromising he capacity of the natural environment.  This challenge requires that students be rigorously prepared, that they are able to draw connections between disciplines, work collaboratively, and understand and appreciate their roles within local democratic communities while maintaining a global perspective.  The Master of Education degree program at Lyndon State College prepares teachers and administrators to meet these challenges.

The program provides teachers with a strong theoretical foundation, the most up-to-date technological and pedagogical practices and opportunities for implementation.  Graduate students are expected to conduct an action research project and, as a culminating activity, present the results of their research.

Whenever possible, coursework is based in locations convenient to students.  Content is presented both face-to-face and online.  Classes are available during the school year (late afternoons, evenings and Saturdays) and during the summer.

The college offers a M.Ed. with a concentration in either Special Education or Curriculum and Instruction.  Students electing to concentration in Curriculum and Instruction may choose to specialize in Literacy K-12 or their content area.  Other specializations (license, endorsements) occasionally are available through the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative (VHEC) or in specially formed cohorts.  Students taking courses through VHEC who find they would like to work towards a M.Ed. at Lyndon are encouraged to apply to the M.Ed. program early to enable faculty to work with them to design a program of study.

Course and Credit Requirements

The M.Ed. credit requirements include the completion of five core courses (16 credits) plus another twenty (2) credits of required and elective courses as appropriate for the particular concentration and specialization.  One of the five core courses - EDU-6945 Independent Study Action Research - culminates the degree program.  Students must complete their study and share the results of their research in order to graduate.  Presentation or  sharing of these results will be scheduled to take place during the summer, but individuals may schedule the  presentation at other times.  The total of 36 credits must be completed within five years of matriculation.

All students wishing to acquire a M.Ed. must take each of the following courses: 

*EDU 6490 - Technology for Educators (2 credits)
*EDU 6550 - Foundations and Issues of Education (3 credits)
*EDU 6280 - Education, Culture and Ecology (3 credits)
*EDU 6560 - Curriculum Development (3 credits)
*EDU 6570 - Research Methods (3 credits)
*EDU 6945 - Independent Study Action Research (2 credits)

 TOTAL - 16 credits

 

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.

Students choosing a concentration in Special Education will, in addition to the above, take the following course work plus six (6) additional elective credits:

*EDU 5170 - Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (3 credits)
*EDU 5470 - Reading Disabilities I (3 credits)
*EDU 5220 - Learning Disabilities OR
*EDU 5110 - Teaching Students with Special Needs:Elementary Emphasis (3 credits)
*EDU 5450 - Assessment of Exceptional Students (3 credits)
*Elective course work (8 credits)
*Final Examination

Total - 20 credits

Curriculum and Instruction Concentration:

This concentration is available to teachers who desire to strengthen their understanding of curriculum building processes and instructional methods.

Specialization in Content Area:

Students choosing a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in content will, in addition to completing core course work for all M.Ed. students, take the following course work:

*One graduate level methodology/pedagogy course (3 credits)
*One graduate level literacy course (3 credits)
*Additional content area credits (14 credits)

Total - 20 credits  

Specialization in Literacy K-12:

The Literacy specialization broadens 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, middles 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.  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 grades Pk-12.  Vermont’s general competencies for Reading/English Language Arts Specialist are integrated into each course.

Students choosing a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy (primary or secondary) will, in addition to completing core course work for all M.Ed. students, take the following:

*One additional graduate level curriculum course (3 or more credits)
*One graduate level reading disability course (3 or more credits)
*One graduate level literature/media course (3 or more credits)
*One graduate level reading theory/praxis course (3 or more credits)
*One graduate level writing theory/praxis course (3 or more credits)
*One graduate level oral language theory/praxis course (3 or more credits)
*One graduate level literacy leadership course (2 or more credits)

Total - 20 credits

 

Certificate Programs

Certificate of Graduate Study in Leadership

This certificate is designed for individuals working in business, industry, education, and human services who require further background in administration and leadership.  The 16-credit-hour program is open to undergraduate and graduate students.  Educators who desire administrative positions and are enrolled in LSC M.Ed. programs may work toward this certificate while fulfilling the requirements of their M.Ed. program.  Administration licensure can be attained on a competency basis by supplying evidence to the Vermont Department of Education of mastery of administrative licensure competencies.

Additional Certificate Programs

Additional certificate programs are available from time to time through the Northeast Kingdom School Development Center (NEKSDC) and the Vermont higher Education Consortium (VTHEC).

 

Admissions

In order to be considered for admissions into the Master of Education program, applicants must submit a Graduate Admissions Portfolio to the Admissions Office.  A formal interview is also required.

Graduate Admissions Portfolio

The complete Graduate Admissions Portfolio must contain:

1. a completed Graduate Program Application form (available online);
2. official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work (Note: student who completed courses or degrees at LSC must request that  the Student Services Office forward a copy of their transcript to the  Graduate Admissions Office);
3. at least two letters of recommendation from professional knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability and commitment to complete a graduate degree;
4. a written statement of purpose; and,
5. a $36 nonrefundable application fee.

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 will be discarded and the process must begin again.

Interview

An interview is required as part of the M.Ed. and M.S.T. admission process.  The interview clarifies the applicant’s professional and academic goals and allows the applicant and the graduate department to determine whether there is a fit between the LSC graduate program and the student’s goals.

Interviews can be arranged by appointment anytime after the Graduate Admissions Portfolio is complete.  Only students with complete Graduate Admissions Portfolios are eligible for interviews.

Matriculated Status

Shortly after the interview, applicants will be notified in writing as to 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 develop a program of study. Advisors support students in completing requirements and planning independent activities (e.g., action research project). Students are responsible for monitoring their own degree requirements and progress. 

Transfer Credit

Up to twelve (12) graduate credits may be transferred into an LSC graduate degree.  A request for transfer credits is made to the Academic Dean, who makes the final determination about the acceptance of credits.  To be eligible for transfer credit:

• the course must have been taken at the graduate level;
• the course must be relevant to the degree program;
• the student must have received a grade of “B” or better; and,
• the course must have been taken within 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 five (5) years before matriculation into the M.Ed. or M.S.T. program can be included in the degree program and do not count against the 12-credit transfer limit.  In other words, students may transfer in any recent LSC core courses in addition to 12 relevant graduate credits approved by the Academic Dean.