Degrees for Education

The Master of Education (MED) program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is designed for women and men who wish to pursue a graduate degree in education. The program integrates the Five Core Propositions of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and focuses on the Teacher as Leader in Curriculum and Instruction.

The 36-credit hour program is designed to be completed in one year using a hybrid-course format, with on-site face-to-face cohort group seminars at the beginning and end of each course, an interactive webinar experience in the middle of each course, and web-based assignments and discussion throughout the course.

MED Program featured in the News

Anneliese Payne, Ph.D., director of the Master of Education program, appeared with Alexis King on WTWO’s Valley Showcase. Watch the video to learn more about the program!

Fall enrollment receive first consideration. A complete application consists of the following:
An official transcript documenting a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
A North Carolina “A” License in Elementary Education, the equivalent from another state, or temporary lateral entry license for employment in an elementary school setting.
Documentation of current teaching position in an elementary classroom (State Approved).
An undergraduate GPA of 2.5 as a minimum.
An acceptable recent (within 5 years) score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT).
A satisfactory written statement of purpose.
Good recommendations from three professional educators.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete the following:

Pre-Assessments. Assessments of the attitudes and beliefs that reflect the participant’s teaching and technology competencies.

The 36 Credit Hour Program. 15 credit hours of core courses, 15 credit hours in elementary methods courses, and 6 credit hours of internship in an elementary classroom.

Action Research Project. Related to an issue or concern in the elementary classroom.

Culminating Project. A Comprehensive Teaching and Technology Portfolio that integrates the State’s Advanced Technology Competencies with a demonstration of mastery of the Advanced Master’s Competencies.

Message From The Coordinator

With over 100 years experience in producing quality teachers, Winston-Salem State University now offers a unique Master of Education in Elementary Education (M.Ed.) designed especially for you, the working teacher. The program is aligned with the standards of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, and it has a part-time structure to allow you to continue working in your elementary classroom and to apply your new knowledge immediately in your classroom.

We invite you to become a part of the history of this prestigious institution and to renew your commitment to the profession and yourself. We challenge you to imagine the possibility of a Master of Education degree, to explore the opportunities with us, and to discover the uniqueness of a M.Ed. from Winston-Salem State University.

For More Information

OverviewThe Curriculum and Pedagogy (C&P) program is for practicing, licensed teachers. (If you are seeking an initial license, please check out our IPTE program.) Each C&P option requires 36 semester hours, including a core. The core expands the practicing teacher’s understanding of curriculum development, teacher inquiry, and philosophical foundations. The various specializations allow teachers to focus on an area of interest. A comprehensive portfolio or project is required for completion. The portfolio is described on the Elementary/Science/Math Requirements and Courses page.

The Elementary Education program is strong in math and science.
Secondary teachers may choose Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies.
Cohort-based programs in some of these specializations are offered through the Front Range BOCES for Teacher Leadership.
Each of the C&P options is designed to prepare practicing teachers to qualify for Master Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, as well as prepare for licensure renewal with the Colorado Department of Education.

Overview
The Literacy, Language and Culturally Responsive Teaching (L2CRT) program offers reading and writing options leading to the following:

Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction, elementary reading and writing

Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction, secondary reading and writing

Colorado Endorsements for Elementary or Secondary Reading Teacher

Online certificates in early and secondary literacy

Variety of school district-based certificates, such as literacy for English language learners

These reading and writing options serve a wide range of practicing K-12 teachers. Those earning an M.A. and endorsement are certified to hold positions in Colorado public and private schools as special developmental and reading teachers. In addition, both master’s and certificate students find the program valuable for enhancing reading and writing instruction in their own elementary and secondary classrooms. Finally, the course work supports practicing teachers in their pursuit of Master Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, as well as licensure renewal with the Colorado Department of Education.

Program Philosophy
L2CRT program options are at the forefront of the field, emphasizing the reading, writing, and oral and visual language development of diverse student populations. Faculty approach language from perspectives that underscore the learners’ construction of meaning along with the development of important skills. Teachers learn to use theory, inquiry and personal reflection to inform classroom practice and gain preparation in using a variety of assessments to address students’ needs.

Two themes run throughout the program offerings. The first concerns the importance of recognizing a variety of literacies—home, school, community and mainstream, in both first and second languages. Teachers need to develop teaching practices that use an understanding of the complexity of literacy development across many contexts. The second involves the meaningful use of literacy and language to improve students’ quality of life. Teachers need to create rich environments in which learners experience oral and written language as components of authentic tasks where activities are meaning-oriented and where students’ cultural and linguistic heritage is valued.

Program Strengths
Career preparation for special education teachers is available at the graduate (master’s) level through two tracks: General Curriculum and Adapted Curriculum.
Career preparation for those individuals who have a college degree but no teaching certificate results in initial certification and a master’s degree in Special Education.
Career preparation available at the graduate (Ed.S.) level through two strands: Special Education Administration and Curriculum Specialist.
The Department utilizes the five core propositions of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards for its graduate programs.
Fully accredited by the National Council of Associations of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Faculty are recognized for their work with students.
The faculty members are diverse and have had experience teaching in public schools or experiences working with children with varying disabilities through other agencies.
Special Opportunities
Several Graduate Research Assistantships.
Financial aid options include HOPE Teacher Scholarships (master’s).
Organizations
Student Council for Exceptional Children
Facilities
Technology (Powerpoint, Microsoft Publisher, Inspiration, wireless labs, online classes through WebCT and MyUWG) is integrated into the curriculum by faculty and students.
Approximately 50% of classes use blended instruction.

Faculty Specialties/Interests
Faculty are nationally recognized in their specialities
Applied behavior analysis
Emotional and behavioral disorders
Mental retardation
Autism
Multicultural education
Transition
Learning disabilities
Differentiated instruction
Gifted

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree serves people in the field of education. The program is designed to enable practitioners to develop the competencies of accomplished teaching according to the National Board of Professional Teaching standards. Students who wish to pursue the M.Ed. degree must hold or be eligible to hold a current teaching license or certificate.

Teaching is in a continuous state of development, and the education of excellent teachers is an ongoing process. Individuals who wish to achieve their full potential as teachers continue to strive for both depth and breadth of knowledge and skills in their discipline. The M.Ed. program objectives focus on mastery in six areas: curriculum, research, diversity, assessment, technology and reflection. Five of these areas correspond to the program core and reflection is infused throughout the program.