Masters of Education in Elementary Education
Program Description
The Master’s degree in Elementary Education (M.Ed.) is designed for practicing elementary school teachers. The program is structured to allow enrollees to continue to work in their school settings and complete their graduate program on a part-time schedule. The M.Ed. is a direct response to the need to identify qualified teachers and provide them with advanced preparation in elementary education. A unique feature of the program is that it provides strategic alignment to the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The program provides a broader and deeper knowledge in multicultural education, appropriate use of technology, integrated curriculum, and action research to improve instruction. There are opportunities for enrollment through the on-campus site, as well as online. The online program requires three visits to campus, one at the beginning, middle, and end of the program.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and skills into effective educational practice;
- Understand own attitudes, beliefs, theories of action, and their relationship to practice;
- Use reflective thinking to guide continual professional growth and development;
- Use disciplined inquiry through action research to improve instructional practice;
- Support effective instruction for diverse student populations by developing an understanding of students and the communities from which they come;
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the content and pedagogy of the elementary curriculum; and
- Demonstrate appropriate uses of technology in instruction, instructional management, and evaluation.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission - March 15th (priority for financial aid and Graduate Assistantships) May 15th.
Transfer Credits
In accordance with the policy of the School of Graduate Studies and Research at Winston-Salem State University, and upon petition to the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Professional Studies and departmental approval, applicants may transfer up to six (6) credits from an accredited graduate education program or from participation in the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards’ process recognized by the American Council of Education. Both applications require official transcripts.
Degree Requirements
Thirty-six (36) credit hours are required for the M.Ed program. Candidates are also required to engage in scholarly inquiry by completing an action research project and to engage in a critical and reflective analysis of their practice by conducting case studies and documenting evidence in a comprehensive teaching and technology portfolio that integrates the state’s advanced technology competencies with a demonstration of mastery of the advanced master’s degree level competencies. Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing.
Time Limits for Completion
The M.Ed. curriculum can be completed in two (2) years of part-time study. A student may not take longer than six (6) years to complete the curriculum.
Course of Study Required Core Courses
Required Methodology Courses
Prerequisites: All courses require admission to the program or approval of the program coordinator.
Recommended Electives
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for acceptance into the Master of Education program in Elementary Education, the applicant must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
- A North Carolina initial license in Elementary Education, the equivalent from another state, or a temporary lateral-entry license for employment in an elementary school setting. The M.Ed. degree does not provide an initial license in elementary education. It does, however, allow teachers with an initial license (“A” or Professional I license) to obtain an “M” license (a master’s level advanced or Professional II license). The initial license must be completed before the “M” license. Individuals who wish to pursue this degree but do not have a North Carolina initial license should consult with the Director of Teacher Licensure for a transcript analysis and a check-sheet indicating additional courses needed for the initial license.
- 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). Test scores must be received prior to beginning the M.Ed. program, or at the latest prior to the conclusion of the first semester of coursework. At that point, the condition must be removed and the student must be unconditionally admitted to continue in the program. Students must adhere to the Graduate School’s policy on conditional admissions.
- A satisfactory written statement of purpose
- Acceptable recommendations from three professional educators.
Faculty
Edwin Bell, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.A., Bowdoin College
M.A., Boston College
Ed.D., University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Cassaundra El-Amin, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.A., Spelman College
M.S., Adelphi University
Ed.S., University of Southern Mississippi
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi
Denise Terry Johnson, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Education
B.S., North Carolina State University
M.S., North Carolina State University
Ed. D., The George Washington University
Pedro Martinez, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
B.S., University of Hartford
M.Ed., University of Hartford
Ph.D., Loyola University
Departmental Links
