Program Requirements
After meeting the university admission requirements, in order to continue in the program, candidates must, before completing nine hours of course work which must include EDUC6100 and EDUC8244, submit to the College of Education a supplemental application packet containing:
- Transcripts showing a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher in all undergraduate work attempted and all grades in graduate course work at a "B" or better
- Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE),including a score of "4" or higher on the Writing Subtest
- After the candidate has completed EDUC6100 and EDUC8244, the faculty will review this information and recommend that the candidate be permitted to continue in the program, continue in the program conditionally, or be dismissed from the program. To receive a recommendation to continue, the candidate must earn a grade of "B" or better in EDUC6100 and EDUC8244, both of which must be taken at Governors State University. Candidates who score a "1" or "2" on the GRE Writing Subtest will not be permitted to continue in the M.A. in Education program.
Admission to Candidacy
To continue in the program the student must be accepted as a candidate for the M.A. in Education degree after completing EDUC6100, EDUC8244, EDUC8105, and one additional course listed on the student's study plan and approved by the faculty advisor for the student's intended MA in Education sequence. Candidates must submit to the Division of Education Graduate Advising Office (Ms. Carla Johnson) an application for candidacy in the semester that they expect to have completed the courses required for candidacy: September 30 for Fall semester, January 31 for Spring semester, or May 31 for Summer session. Application forms are available via the student portal of the GSU website – College of Education Masters Degree Programs.
To qualify for candidacy, a student must:
1. Have completed undergraduate prerequisites for all courses on the study plan.
2. Have completed all course work applicable to the degree with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, with a grade of "B" or better in EDUC6100 and EDUC8244, and with a grade of "C" or better in all other courses.
3. Submit an acceptable essay not to exceed 300 words. See. the student portal of the GSU website – College of Education Masters Degree Programs for details.
4. Display, or be judged as developing, the dispositions expected of a graduate student as listed in the section "Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals" in the GSU catalog.
5. Be recommended for candidacy by the M.A. in Education program faculty.
Students admitted to candidacy will be assigned to a faculty advisor. Students not admitted to candidacy will be dropped from the program and will not be permitted to register for courses at Governors State Univerisity until they have changed their major to a major outside the Division of Education.
Degree Requirements
Credit-hours earned in Education Professional Development or undergraduate courses cannot be applied
toward degree requirements. Students must meet all university requirements for a master's degree.
In addition, students:
1. May apply a maximum of six hours of graduate credit earned from other accredited institutions or as a non-degree seeking student toward the degree requirements, subject to approval by the M.A. in Education coordinator.
2. Must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, with a grade of "B" or better in EDUC6100 and EDUC8244 and a grade of "C" or better in all other courses.
3. Must complete all course work, including transfer credits, within six calendar years.
4. Must pass a comprehensive examination in the area of specialization listed on the student's approved study plan. (Further information regarding comprehensive examinations is available via the student portal of the GSU website – College of Education Masters Degree Programs.)
5. Must display the dispositions expected of graduate students as listed in the, "Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals" section of the GSU catalog.
6. Must be recommended by the M.A. in Education program faculty.
I. Required Courses for All Sequences (15 Hours)
EDUC 6100 Issues in Education (3)
EDUC 8105 Student Learning and Assessment (3)
EDUC 8114 Teacher as Researcher (3)
EDUC 8244 Academic Evaluation and Assessment (3)
EDUC 8999 Culminating Experience (3)
(Note: This experience consists of writing completing a research project, including an MA paper, approved by a committee of three faculty members.)
II. Electives (6 Hours)
In sequences other than Bilingual/English as a Second Language Education, each candidate, his or her faculty advisor's approval, will select six hours of graduate education courses. A graduate course from related disciplines may be included with the approval of the faculty advisor.
III. Sequences (21 Hours)
Candidates will select and complete a –21- hour sequence, including electives approved by the candidate's faculty advisor (see above). Some of the sequences in the M.A. in Education program are offered on a less frequent basis. Please consult with your academic advisor about the availability and alternatives.
IV. Total Degree Program (36 Hours)
Note: This program does not lead to a State of Illinois Professional Educator License.