Master of Education – M. Ed.

The program for the Master of Education in Elementary Education builds on the most current body of knowledge of best practice and practical expertise (theory and practice) relevant to teaching grades K-6.  The program is designed for candidates who have a baccalaureate teaching license or who will receive a teaching license before the end of the first term of graduate enrollment. The program requires comprehensive examinations and 36 hours (i.e., professional core, literacy or content-based instructional courses, and a capstone thesis, product of learning, or practicum experience).

Candidates may select from three concentrations of specialized study which include:

• Content Concentration – 18 hours of instruction courses in the content area of science, mathematics, social studies and language arts
• Literacy Concentration – 18 hours of coursework in reading and literacy instruction
• STEM Concentration – 18 hours of coursework in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Admission Terms: Fall (August); Spring (January); Summer (June)

Application Materials:

Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and an acceptable GPA (3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale). For applicants with teaching licenses in other areas, successful completion of the Praxis II exam in Elementary Education must be submitted to the School of Education by completion of the first 6 hours of graduate course work. An admission decision takes into consideration the applicant’s GPA, completed course work, professional work experience, personal and professional goals for the degree, as well as the information provided by references.

Required materials include:

• online application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee
• an official transcript showing an earned baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education K-6, and official transcripts from all other previously attended colleges (excluding High Point University). If you have attended High Point University you must include it on your application. The Norcross Graduate School will request that transcript for you once application is submitted.
• resume
• essay about interest in the program and goals for the degree
• three professional reference reports on form provided
• copy of current teaching license

Exceptions to any admission requirement may be considered under special circumstances.

Elementary Education Program (36 semester hours)

Core Courses (12 hours)

• EDU 5010 – Advanced Instructional Technology for the 21st Century

OR

• EDU 5011 – Technology Integration for Elementary STEM and Literacy Based Programs
• EDU 5040 – Diversity in Education: Societal and Organizational Perspectives
• EDU 5060 – Developing Leaders in 21st Century Schools
• EDU 5166 – Using Data to Make Instructional Improvement

Content Concentration

Instructional Courses (18 hours)

• EDU 5130 – Numerical Representations and Number Concepts in Elementary Mathematics
• EDU 5132 – Foundations of Writing Instruction
• EDU 5133 – Integrated Principles of Science and Social Studies Instruction
• EDU 5134 – Foundations of Reading Instruction
• EDU 5137 – Integrating STEM Instruction into the Elementary Classroom

Capstone Experience (6 hours)

Choose between:

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5300 – Product of Learning

OR

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5200 – Thesis

Literacy Concentration

Instructional Courses (18 hours)

• EDU 5131 – Literature and Informational Texts for Children and Young Adults
• EDU 5132 – Foundations of Writing Instruction
• EDU 5134 – Foundations of Reading Instruction
• EDU 5135 – Diagnosis & Assessment in the Teaching of Reading
• EDU 5136 – Content Area Literacy
• EDU 5231 – Supervised Practicum in Literacy Program Implementation

Capstone Experience (6 hours)

Choose between:

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5300 – Product of Learning

OR

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5200 – Thesis

STEM Concentration

Instructional Courses (18 hours)

• EDU 5130 – Numerical Representation and Number Concepts in Elementary Mathematics
• EDU 5133 – Integrated Principles of Science & Social Studies Instruction
• EDU 5137 – Integrating STEM Instruction into the Elementary Classroom
• EDU 5232 – STEM Infused Principles of Robotics and Technology
• EDU 5233 – Connected Systems and Interdependence in Science
• EDU 5234 – Practicum Infused STEM Strategies for K-6 Classrooms

Capstone Experience (6 hours)

Choose between:

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5300 – Product of Learning

OR

• EDU 5030 – Methods of Educational Research
• EDU 5200 – Thesis