Masters Introduction

The department’s vision is to improve life conditions and opportunities for individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

The department’s mission is to improve the equity and quality of teaching and learning environments throughout the world. We accomplish this mission through the integration of research, teaching, and service to strengthen educational opportunities for all people worldwide. This integrated mission is threefold:

• explore and expand the knowledge of educational theory, policy, practice, and leadership.
• foster the growth of educational leaders of faith and character who possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and disposition.
• build the capacity of individuals, families, communities, states, and nations to identify and solve educational problems.

The Master of Education degree program emphasizes the preparation of leaders for positions of responsibility in institutions concerned with educational programs, both domestic and international. Each emphasis represents an organized, streamlined program of study designed to give the student a solid theoretical, research and practical foundation in a variety of settings.

The Master’s degree program is designed to be completed in one to two years; however, all work must be completed within five years.

Students admitted to the department should plan to specialize in the field of their professional and disciplinary interest. The choice should be made in light of their professional goals. The program of study for students is a sequence of courses and other educational experiences deliberately planned to achieve their specific professional, academic, and personal goals. These goals will vary for persons according to their backgrounds, interests, capacities, and career objectives. Students must develop a program, in consultation with faculty advisors, to realize these goals. As colleagues in cohorts, students attend classes and work collaboratively, as well as individually, on assigned problems.

The M.Ed. degree in Educational Leadership and Foundations prepares students for positions as leaders, such as principals, directors, superintendents in public and private organizations, advocacy groups, and not-for-profit organizations.

Within the M.Ed. degree in Educational Leadership and Foundations are three areas of emphasis and a joint degree program.

I. School Leadership This emphasis prepares students for school leadership roles and requires an internship or a project. The school leadership emphasis consists of two program options:

• Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) (Licensure program)
• Executive School Leadership Program (ESLP) (Licensure or non licensure program)

II. Education Policy and Social Foundations The Master of Education Degree in Education Policy and Social Foundations is intended for educators and educator researchers seeking careers in education policy either in the private or public sector which do not require administrative licensure. A thesis or project is required. Students may pursue studies in the areas of sociology, philosophy, policy, and religious education.

III. Comparative and International Development Education The Comparative and International Development Education emphasis is designed to prepare graduates to assume leadership roles in education and to conduct issue- or policy-oriented research regarding the role of education in the development process, use research findings and field experience to design or link educational programs that will contribute to economic development. It also prepares graduates for doctoral studies and to serve in university, ministries of education and consulting in private and non-profit organizations, government and international agencies.

IV. Joint J.D./M.Ed. Program This program is established jointly between the EDLF department and the J. Reuben Clark Law School. EDLF will accept a maximum of 9 credit hours (approved by the M.Ed. committee) obtained in the Juris Doctorate program toward the M.Ed..