Requirements for the Master of Arts in Education Degree
Students accepted into the M.A. Ed. degree program with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction or Special Studies must complete all of the following:
- EDUC 604 Education in Society (2 units)
- EDUC 633 Pedagogy: Practice and Research (2 units)
- EDUC 634 Academic Writing for Graduate Students (2 units)
- EDUC 650 Educational Psychology (2 units)
- EDUC 660 Assessment (3 units)
- EDUC 679 Qualitative Methods in Education (3 units)
- EDUC 681 Quantitative Educational Methods (3 units)
- EDUC 698 Educational Research (3 units).
- 12 units of area of emphasis courses selected in consultation with an advisor
For students earning a combined M.A. Ed. and a Level I Administrative Services Credential, the following courses must be completed in addition to all credential coursework:
- EDUC 634 Academic Writing (2 units)
- EDUC 698 Educational Research (3 units)
- Three units of thesis or project preparation (EDUC 690 or EDUC 692)
One from:
- EDUC 679 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 units), or
- EDUC 681 Quantitative Educational Methods (3 units)
And one of the following selected in consultation with your advisor:
- EDUC 604 Education in Society (2 units)
- EDUC 633 Pedagogy: Practice and Research (2 units)
- EDUC 650 Educational Psychology (2 units), or
- EDUC 660 Assessment (3 units).
For students earning a combined M.A. Ed. and a Level II Special Education Credential, the following courses must be completed in additional to all credential coursework:
- SPED 799 Single-subject Research Methods (3 units)
- EDUC 634 Academic Writing (2 units)
- EDUC 698 Educational Research (3 units)
- Three units of thesis or project preparation (EDUC 690 or EDUC 692)
One from:
- EDUC 679 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 units), or
- EDUC 681 Quantitative Educational Methods (3 units)
And one of the following selected in consultation with your advisor:
- EDUC 604 Education in Society (2 units)
- EDUC 633 Pedagogy: Practice and Research (3 units)
- EDUC 650 Educational Psychology (2 units), or
- EDUC 660 Assessment (3 units)
In addition to the core courses, take no fewer than three units of thesis or project preparation (EDUC 690 or 692). A maximum of three thesis/project units (approved by the chair of the thesis/project committee) may apply to the degree.
Before completing the core courses, determine a specific emphasis area and create a plan of study. Then take courses prescribed within the area of emphasis.
Administrative Services Emphasis
Educators enrolled in the Level I Administrative Services credential program may earn both a Level I credential and an M.A. Ed.. Students must have completed three years of successful full-time teaching to be admitted to the Level I Administrative Services credential program.
Core courses: 10-11 units
Area of emphasis: 24 units
Thesis preparation: 3 units
Total: 37-38 units
Curriculum & Instruction Emphasis
After completing the core courses, choose among other relevant upper division and graduate courses focusing on curricular and methodological issues (e.g., students interested in science education take curriculum courses and courses within the sciences). The thesis/project committee consists of one faculty member from the emphasis area and one member of the Education faculty as well as the Graduate Coordinator.
Core courses: 19 units
Area of emphasis: 12 units
Thesis preparation: 3 units
Total: 34 units
Special Education Emphasis
Those enrolled in the Level II Mild to Moderate Special Education credential may also earn an MA. Students must have completed the level I credential program plus two years as a special education teacher in a US public school.
Core courses: 12-13 units
Area of emphasis: 21 units
Thesis preparation: 3 units
Total: 36-37 units
Special Studies Emphasis
This is a unique opportunity to work on issues of pedagogy within specific disciplines that do not offer an MA degree or to tailor a degree program to your individual academic interests. Examples include environmental education, educational technology, child development, and early childhood education.
You will work with your advisor to create an academically rigorous program responsive to your intellectual needs. The thesis/project committee may include one faculty member in your area of interest from outside the department and one member of the Education faculty as well as the Graduate Coordinator.
Core courses: 19 units
Area of emphasis: 12 units
Thesis preparation: 3 units
Total: 34 units
Additional Requirements
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 in the program. Candidates who do not maintain either the overall or the programmatic GPA for one semester or who are not making satisfactory progress toward completing the degree may be placed on probation. Students whose overall or programmatic GPA remains below 3.0 for a second semester will be disqualified. In the case of extenuating circumstances, such as medical or family emergencies, disqualified students may apply for reinstatement. The Handbook for Master's Students provides more detailed information.
Advancing to Candicacy
As a culminating experience, students have two options: thesis or bound project, defined in the Handbook for Master's Students. The department uses the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (4th edition) as the required style manual.
Obtain a major thesis/project professor and committee members. Have them approve an abstract of the thesis or project. Meet with them early in the research process to ensure that all individuals are well informed and in agreement.
Committees must have a minimum of three faculty members. Major professors must be probationary or tenured professors or adjunct/temporary professors at HSU who hold earned doctorates. Other committee members are either faculty in the Department of Education or in other disciplines relevant to the theses or projects. Consult with the major professor in selecting committee members.
For additional questions, consult with your advisor, major professor, graduate coordinator, or the staff in Research and Graduate Studies.
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