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MASTER OF ARTS: CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Overview
The Master of Arts in
Curriculum and Instruction degree program provides an essential opportunity
for practicing teachers in Northern and Upper Michigan as well as in Northern
Ontario, to enrich their understanding of, and improve their skills in, pedagogy,
curriculum design, and assessment within the context of their discipline
specific content knowledge. The degree provides a framework for securing a
rigorous plan of study focused on the professional development needs of
practicing teachers. The degree program allows both elementary and
secondary masters degree candidates the opportunity to develop a graduate plan
of study that strengthens their teaching practices and address student
learning in their classrooms.
Candidates in this
program complete core requirements aligned with the professional
competencies of accomplished teachers as identified by the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and electives from the fields their
academic disciplines and/or educational foundations. The candidates
demonstrate competencies in the design, implementation and assessment of student
learning through a culminating curricular project. Graduates may qualify for an
additional endorsement when the plan of study incorporates the required
coursework of an approved major/minor. School of Education advisors will work
closely with each candidate to develop individualized plans of study designed to
address specific professional development needs. The program requires a
total of 36 hours of graduate credit (a limited number of undergraduate credits
may qualify when part of an approved plan of study).
Program Description
The Master of Arts in
Curriculum and Instruction (MA-C & I) program has as its goal to deliver a high
quality, focused graduate program that meets the ongoing professional
development needs of practicing teachers, and other educational professionals,
at all levels. The LSSU MA-C & I program is comprised of a core in educational
research, curriculum and instruction: electives in the areas of learning theory,
special education, and reading; and discipline specific coursework to increase
breadth and depth of candidates content knowledge. A capstone research project
with public presentation is required for graduation, as is an exit oral
examination with the candidate’s committee. Each candidate works with a
graduate advisor from the School of Education to develop an individualized
program of study designed to complement the student’s past educational
experiences, and address his or her individual professional development and
educational needs. Each candidate must also chose two SOE faculty to serve on
his/her committee and a member of the University committee from outside the SOE
will be chosen to complete the committee.
Admission
Requirements
The
minimum requirements for admission into the MA-C & I program:
*Baccalaureate degree or
equivalent from a regionally accredited university
*Any one of the
following:
-
a
grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60
semester hours attempted accruing to the undergraduate degree; or
-
a
combined score of 1000 or higher on the quantitative and verbal sections of
the GRE exam; or
-
a
50 or higher on the Miller Analogy Test; or
-
a graduate degree from
a regionally accredited institution
NOTES:
All applicants must
submit GPA and graduate admission (GRE or MAT) test scores regardless of which
criteria are met for admissions. Provisional admission may be granted
without test scores, but these scores must be submitted within one year of
admission and prior to graduation. Candidates may be required to take specific
undergraduate course(s) if they do not have the necessary prerequisites for the
graduate level of course or program.
The MA-C & I programs
limits the transfer of graduate coursework to 9 semester credits. To be
considered for transfer, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade
of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate
program and no more than ten years prior to graduation form the graduate
program. Decisions concerning transfer of coursework are made at the time of
admission. Candidates must complete a minimum of 18 semester credits at
LSSU after admission.
An approved plan of study
will be developed in coordination with program advisors and/or faculty. If the
number of applicants to a program exceeds the capacity, preference will be given
to candidates who, after review of the entire graduate application, demonstrate
the strongest potential for success in the chosen field. Candidates who have not
achieved minimum test scores or the minimum GPA but who meet all other
requirements may, under special circumstances, be considered for admission into
the program.
Candidates
must complete a minimum of 24 credits after admission to the graduate program,
this ensures that courses selected are aligned with the professional development
plans for each candidate. Submission of a
portfolio, comprised in part of satisfactory teaching units, research projects,
or papers developed by each teacher in their content classes, is required for
graduation.
National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards
The National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has worked with committees of teachers
and other experts to identify standards for the assessment of teacher
excellence. National Board Certification is a symbol of teaching excellence
measured against these standards that recognizes teachers who effectively
enhance student learning and demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills,
abilities, and commitment. The MA-C & I degree program is aligned with the five
core principles that serve as the basis of the NBPTS certification. The
required courses in the program core and foundations courses address these
standards and provide the foundation for the balance of the program.
The NBPTS core
propositions identify the five domains in which accomplished teachers are
proficient.
1)
Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
2)
Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to
students.
3)
Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
4)
Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from
experience.
5)
Teachers are members of learning committees.
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