Education, MA or MS

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The Master’s degree in Education (MA/MS in Education) is an interdisciplinary graduate program that offers students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to explore and leverage multiple perspective within the expansive discipline of education. Students are introduced to career opportunities and are prepared to become future leaders through an individualized program of study. Some examples of emphasis include: early childhood education, health education, postsecondary education, environmental education, family literacy, community education, educational management, policy, technology, and learning.

Licensed teachers who are seeking to add endorsements in Reading, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and/or Bilingual Education, Special Education, or an Initial Administrator License (IAL) may also apply those credits toward a master’s degree in Education.

Students must meet with an assigned advisor and submit an approved program of study prior to completing 12 credits.

Overview of the Education Master’s Programs

The Master’s Degree in Education programs comprise four major elements:

Core Competency Requirements: research, assessment, pedagogy, diversity, foundations, and leadership.
Field-Based Practica/Research Applications: includes developing a professional portfolio or advanced curriculum work sample.
Individualized Professional Development: coursework leading to an added endorsement, license, or specialization.
Culminating project or thesis.

Requirements for Admission to the Education Master’s Programs

Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Complete and submit the SOU application for graduate admission and application fee to the Admissions Office. Transcripts of undergraduate and previous graduate work must accompany the application.
Possess a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) of undergraduate work.
Pass one of the following tests for entry into the master’s program:
1. Praxis II Multiple Subject Assessment for Teachers (MSAT) Content Knowledge and Content Area Exercises with a total score of at least 310 and no score less than 147 on each section of the test.
2. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with a minimum score of 1200 on combined verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections and a minimum score of 400 on the verbal section.
3. Former NTE Core Battery Tests: Test of Communication Skills with a score of at least 667 and the Test of General Knowledge with a score of at least 666.
4. Praxis II Specialty Area Exam(s) in endorsed subject.
5. Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Exam (MSE) with a score of at least 240 on each of the appropriate subtests.
6. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a score equivalent to the mean for the major area of study in Education.
7. National Evaluation System (NES) Elementary Education Test (subtests 1 & 2).
8. National Evaluation System (NES) Subject Knowledge Test in appropriate discipline.
Complete the Character Question form provided with admission materials. (Only for licensed teachers)
Submit two favorable recommendations from immediate supervisors employed by educational or social agencies attesting to the applicant’s competence to work with school-aged children.
For candidates to the licensure options, submit a copy of your Oregon Basic or Initial Teaching License.
Apply for admission to the education program within the first 12 credits of graduate work. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in delayed completion of the degree program.

Program Completion Requirements for the Master’s in Education Degree

Candidates for the Master in Education must complete a thesis or project during the last year of their program following Southern Oregon University’s Guidelines and Style Manual for Theses and Projects.