Nov 21, 2024

2021-22 Catalog

2021-22 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education, MA or MS

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The Master of Science or Arts in Education (MSEd) program serves as a catalyst for innovative thinking, applied research and leadership development for professionals seeking to address the educational challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow. The program serves both working professionals and licensed teachers who want to further their career with a master’s degree. Licensed teachers can also choose to earn an added endorsement or administrative license as part of the program.

The purpose of the program is to provide students with strong graduate-level courses of study related to various fields of education by fostering scholarship, instructional creativity and innovation, cross-cultural sensitivity, and professional leadership. Key to the program is an emphasis on educational leadership within the classroom, the school district, the broader community, the workforce, and the profession as a whole. The program is open to both licensed teachers and to working professionals outside of public-school settings.

The program requires a minimum of 45 credits of graduate study and may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis depending upon the area of focus.

Program Outcomes

Students who graduate with the MS in Education will be able to:

Explore and translate learning theory, creative curricular design and 21st century skills into instructional decisions and practices to address the educational challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.
Apply research and assessment to evaluate and validate instructional and programmatic choices, and organizational and educational policies.
Analyze and integrate educational research, theories, philosophies and contemporary issues into their educational practice.
Demonstrate and apply frameworks associated with cultural enrichment and humility that mitigate the power imbalance between the professional and client/student from differing cultures and abilities.
Demonstrate dimensions of leadership, ethical decision making and purposeful engagement within the profession.

Requirements for Admission

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 GPA of at least 3.0 in either cumulative or the last 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) of undergraduate work.
- Candidates whose GPA is below 3.0 may be considered for the admission to the MSEd program with documentation of relevant work experience. Candidates should complete the work experience questions on the SOU Application for Graduate Admission.

Program Completion Requirements

Candidates for the MS or MA 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.

Academic Probation

MSEd candidates must complete each course with a B- or better throughout the program. If a candidate earns less than a B- in a course, the candidate will be placed on academic probation and notified by the program coordinator. Any candidate placed on academic probation must petition their academic advisor for permission to continue in the program. If permission is granted, a B- or better must be earned throughout the remainder of the program by the candidate. Candidates not meeting this requirement may be terminated from the program.

Program Curriculum

The Master’s in Education program curriculum consists of the following components:

Core Requirements (25 credits)

ED 512 - Introduction to Education Research 4 credits
ED 515 - Critical Issues in Education 4 credits
ED 522 - Curriculum Design and Educational Change 4 credits
ED 531 - Study Proposal and Design 5 credits
ED 560 - Diversity in the Workplace 4 credits
ED 503A - Thesis Project 1 to 9 credits (4 credits required)
or
ED 503B - Portfolio Project 4 credits

Generalist Option

Students may elect to create a personalized program of study based upon their personal or professional goals and interests. Elective coursework should be selected and approved in consultation with the MSEd program coordinator.

Areas of Focus (16 - 32 credits)

Candidates can select groups of courses to comprise an area of focus. Current areas of focus include Adult Education, Leadership in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction in STEM Education, Nonprofit Management, Holistic Education, and Teacher Leadership. Licensed teachers can choose to earn an ESOL endorsement, Special Education endorsement, ASD Specialist designation, or Preliminary Administrator license.

Concentration in Adult Education

ED 590 - Principles and Theories of Adult Learning and Development 4 credits
ED 591 - Strategies for Adult Learners 4 credits
ED 595 - Models of Professional Ethics and Leadership 4 credits
ED 597 - Creativity in the Workplace and Higher Education 4 credits
ED 598 - Learning in Organizations 4 credits

Concentration in Adult Education, ESL

Preliminary Administrator License

Candidates must hold a valid Oregon teaching license and three years teaching experience in order to add license.

LEAD 513 - Instructional Leadership 3 credits
LEAD 520 - Administrative Portfolio 1 credit
LEAD 522 - A Learning Culture: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 3 credits
LEAD 524 - Professional Models of Governance 1 credit
LEAD 525 - Social Foundations and Organizational Culture 3 credits (replaces ED 595 in the core)
LEAD 528A - Leadership into Practice 1 to 6 credits
LEAD 560 - Leadership for Social Justice 3 credits (replaces ED 560 in the core)
LEAD 592 - School Leadership for Human Thriving 3 credits
LEAD 595 - Becoming an Educational Leader 3 credits (replaces ED 595 in the core)

Endorsement in Special Education

Candidates must hold a valid Oregon Teaching License in order to add endorsement.

SPED 511 - Internship 4 credits
SPED 530 - Law and Policy 4 credits
SPED 532 - Administration and Interpretation of Assessment Instruments 4 credits
SPED 533 - Behavior Management 4 credits
SPED 534 - Interventions in Academic Skills: Mathematics Methods 4 credits
SPED 536 - IEP Development and Transition Planning 4 credits
SPED 538 - Characteristics and Eligibility of Exceptionalities 4 credits
SPED 539 - Interventions in Academic Skills: Reading Methods 4 credits

Endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Candidates must hold a valid Oregon Teaching License in order to add endorsement.

ED 521A - Practicum/Portfolio 4 credits
ED 543A - Foundations or Dual Language Education: Policies and Family/Community Involvement 4 credits
ED 544A - English Language Development: Curriculum and Pedagogy 4 credits
ED 545A - 1st and 2nd Language Acquisition and Cultural Impacts 4 credits (replaces ED 560 in the core)
ED 546A - Assessment/Evaluation of English Language Learners 4 credits

Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Candidates must hold a valid Oregon Teaching License in order to add specialization.

Master of Science in Education with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

This degree is a collaborative program between Oregon Tech and SOU. Upon successful completion, graduates will receive the Master of Science in Education from SOU and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Oregon Tech. With the Graduate Certificate in ABA and requisite supervised practicum, graduates will meet eligibility requirements to take the national exam to become a certified behavior analyst. This program does not require nor lead to an Oregon teaching license.

ASD Courses offered through SOU:

SPED 561 - Foundations of Autism 3 credits
SPED 562 - Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder 3 credits
SPED 562L - Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder Lab 1 credit
SPED 563 - Interventions and Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder I 3 credits
SPED 563L - Interventions and Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder I Lab 1 credit
SPED 564 - Interventions and Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum II 3 credits
SPED 564L - Interventions and Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum II Lab 1 credit
SPED 565 - Coaching, Consulting and Collaboration in Autism 3 credits

ABA Courses offered through Oregon Tech:

ABA 511 ‐ Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis I, 3 credits
ABA 512 ‐ Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis II, 3 credits
ABA 521 ‐ Ethics and Professionalism I, 3 credits
ABA 522 ‐ Ethics and Professionalism II, 3 credits
ABA 525 ‐ Research Methods in ABA, 3 credits
ABA 526 ‐ Behavioral Assessment, 3 credits
ABA 531 ‐ Behavior Change I, 3 credits
ABA 532 ‐ Behavior Change II, 3 credits
ABA 535 ‐ Special Topics in ABA, 3 credits

MA/MS

The master of arts and master of science degrees differ only in the foreign language requirement. To receive an MA degree, students must demonstrate fluency in a second language. U.S. students who have completed two years of study in one foreign language at an accredited college or university automatically meet the second language requirement for the MA degree.