Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Concentration, M.Ed.

Degree: Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education program provides advanced study to certified teachers* or teacher candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree. The program builds on the College of Education’s conceptual framework, to prepare educators to become competent and caring professionals who are able to work effectively with diverse populations.

*Licensed or certified in the State of Tennessee or a United States equivalent.

Specifically, the goals are to provide advanced study in the following areas:

• Curriculum and Instruction

Concentrations

• Curriculum Planning (licensed teachers only)
• Educational Technology (non-licensure option)
• Music (non-licensure option)
• Reading Specialist (endorsement only)
• Secondary School Instruction (includes Music Education)
• Teaching English Language Learners (endorsement or non-licensure option)

• Elementary Education
• Special Education

Concentration

• Mild/Moderate

• Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning

Student Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will:

1. Become reflective, caring, competent, and culturally responsive practitioners who are able to work with diverse populations using research based interventions.
2. Generate new knowledge through scholarly research and communication.
3. Apply relevant theory, philosophy, research, policies,legislation, and best practice to their professional goals.
4. Demonstrate growth in knowledge of content, differentiated interventions, and developmentally appropriate pedagogy.
5. Become collaborators with learners, parents, the community,and other professionals.
6. Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the education profession

Major: Curriculum and Instruction

Admission Requirements

Unconditional admission to the program requires the applicant to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale, and satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Millers Analogies (MAT). The GRE or MAT result is used in the evaluation of the academic qualifications of all graduate applicants. *Note: International students must meet admissions requirements to be accepted into Department programs.

Applicants should refer to the follow ranges to determine the minimum score, based on their GPA of record:

Conditional admission may be gained with a lower grade point average, but the GRE or MAT score must be correspondingly higher based on the above weightings. Applicants with less than a 2.5 undergraduate GPA must submit test scores at the time of application; applicants with a GPA of 2.5 or above may submit test scores in the first semester of attendance, but it is preferable that they submit test scores at the time of original application. The student must remove conditional status by earning at least a B (3.0) average in the first nine hours of graduate courses. Failure to achieve this will result in withdrawal from the program. A student with a lower GRE/MAT score does not qualify for conditional admission regardless of a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Admissions to teacher education programs at the graduate level may require additional evidence of academic performance (higher GPA, other test scores.) Applicants who are also seeking initial teaching license should contact the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services for current requirements.

Applicants who are potential candidates for the Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction must be certified to teach or must meet certification (initial licensure) before the degree is awarded. Exceptions are the concentrations in Educational Technology, Music, and candidates for Teaching English Language Learners (ELL) no-licensure option.

Degree Requirements for Licensure Option

The Master’s Degree program in Curriculum and Instruction offers a concentrations in Secondary School Instruction and Teaching English Language Learners with certification and initial licensure. This includes all single subjects taught in grades 7-12 and those subjects certified for grades K-12. For certification, candidates must complete the 33-hours of course work plus 12 hours in the semester of student teaching, submit the edTPA portfolio and receiving a passing score, and pass comprehensive and pass all required Praxis exams.

Degree Requirements for Non-Licensure Options

The Master’s Degree program in Curriculum and Instruction offers concentrations in Educational Technology, Music, and Teaching English Language Learners. Candidates must complete the 33-hours of course work and pass comprehensive exams. Candidates for the concentration in music must have an undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Music as a pre-requisite (not the initial licensure program). The degree is completed by conducting project writing.

Degree Requirements for Advanced Degree and Endorsements

The Master’s Degree program in Curriculum and Instruction offers concentrations in Curriculum Planning, Reading Specialist, and Teaching English Language Learners. Candidates must complete the 33-hours of course work, pass comprehensive exams, and pass all required Praxis exams. Curriculum Planning candidates will conduct action research in his/her classroom in lieu of the comprehensive exams.

Program of Study

Concentration: Reading - 18 hours

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Reading is designed for currently licensed teachers seeking an advanced degree in Reading. Candidates who complete this concentration are eligible to apply for Reading Specialist certification. For Reading Specialist certification candidates must have minimum of 18 hours of Reading courses, a minimum of three years classroom teaching experience, and pass the Reading Specialist Praxis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Graduate School and initial teacher certification (if seeking Reading Specialist certification).