Graduate School - Education

Introduction
The Abilene Christian University Department of Graduate Studies in Education offers a Master of Education (MEd) degree in the following areas:

·  Curriculum and Instruction

·  Leadership of Learning (Leadership and other leadership roles)

·  Higher Education (see the Higher Education section of this catalog)

The department also offers certification as a superintendent beyond leadership of learning (school principal certification). Students in the Leadership of Learning and Curriculum and Instruction program will also be able to complete the requirements for the graduate certificate in conflict resolution for educators. (See the Conflict Resolution section for certificate information) or the leadership in digital learning certificate.

The teacher education programs are approved by the Texas Education Agency and are accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification. Two years of teaching experience, in addition to the master's degree, are required to receive a professional certificate.

The Department of Graduate Studies in Education at ACU seeks to prepare individuals who have a thorough mastery of the technical and practical aspects of education and are skilled in both the art and science of teaching and learning. The faculty and staff of the department seek to accomplish this within the context of Christian values and principles.

Education is one of the largest programs at ACU, with approximately 700 graduate and undergraduate students each year involved in some aspect of educator preparation. With a student-faculty ratio of 17:1, each student receives individual attention from top-quality faculty members.

Faculty members author teaching materials, publish articles and papers, present at state and national conferences, serve as officers in professional organizations, and conduct numerous workshops and seminars for school professionals.

Admission Requirements   
For admission criteria, please refer to the Graduate School - Admission Requirements section of this catalog. In addition to the general Graduate School requirements, applicants to the MEd program must submit:    

1. A purpose statement (2 pg. dbl sp. typed) including philosophy of education; and

2. An official document indicating 2 years of teaching experience in an accredited public or private school.

Post-baccalaureate students working toward initial teacher certification must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. (See requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Internship at the end of this section.)

Departmental Requirements
A student must earn 36-39 hours of graduate credit, at least half of which must be in 600-level courses. Meeting the requirements of a master’s degree in education does not necessarily qualify the student for professional certification. Each student’s professional certification program must be planned to meet individual needs and to ensure competence in the chosen area of professional endeavor.

Students are cautioned that states continually change credentialing requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to stay abreast of their state’s credentialing requirements. Not taking credentialing exams in a timely manner can create lengthy certification plans for the student to meet changing credentialing requirements.

Students seeking Texas certification must pass the state-required Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) prior to certification. The state of Texas awards professional certification only to persons with at least two years of verified teaching experience.

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GRADUATE PROGRAMS 

LEADERSHIP OF LEARNING (MED)   

Major Code: LEAD

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Requirements for the MEd in leadership of learning, 39-hour non-thesis program, are:

*For students seeking the Certificate in Conflict Resolution for Educators. Requires travel to one-week residency session location. See the Certificate in Conflict Resolution for Educators information for details.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION (MED)   

Major Code: CURI

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Requirements for the MEd in curriculum and instruction, 36-hour non-thesis, program are: 

Certificate of Graduate Study

Admission Requirements
All candidates for the certificate must complete an application for the certificate program with the Graduate School and must submit an official undergraduate transcript that shows a completed bachelor’s degree.

Certificate in Leadership of Digital Learning
The certificate in Leadership of Digital Learning is a 12-hour program designed to prepare students to be educational leaders (K-12) who embrace the potential of new technologies and make optimum use of the digital devices and connections that are prevalent today and to make learning vibrant and stimulating for all learners.

CERTIFICATE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR EDUCATORS (CER)    

The Center for Conflict Resolution offers a 12-hour graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution designed especially for educators. This unique program includes on-line course work and a one-week residency session for the development of practical skills and for preparing trainers of mediators in the school setting. Special materials for trainers will be provided. Students may apply the 12 hours toward the Master of Education in Leadership of Learning degree.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Requirements for the 12-hour certificate in conflict resolution for educators are:     

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SUPERINTENDENT CERTIFICATION   

15 hours in addition to the principal certification

Major Code: SUPT

Requirements for the superintendent certification are:
 

POST-BACCALAUREATE INTERNSHIP    

This program is designed for individuals who have held a bachelor’s degree in another field and who want to obtain teaching certification. Prerequisites for the post-baccalaureate program: bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher (cumulative and content field); a minimum of 24 hours in a subject taught in K-12 schools; passing scores on all three sections of the THEA, with a minimum score of 260 in reading, 240 in math and 220 in writing; an interview with the certification officer; and three recommendations concerning education and experiences. 

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