Educational Leadership: Master of Education Degree Programs (MEd)

Master of Education Degree Programs (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education degree is offered in multiple areas:

1. Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning
2. Curriculum & Instruction and Instructional Facilitator Endorsement
3. Educational Leadership
4. Elementary Education
5. Reading
6. Early Childhood Special Education
7. Secondary Education
   1. Art
   2. Behavioral Sciences
   3. Education
   4. English
   5. French
   6. History/Social Sciences
   7. Kinesiology
   8. Mathematics
   9. Spanish
   10. Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

These programs of study, limited to candidates holding or working on teaching licensure, are designed to give new and in-service teachers more adequate preparation for their professions. It is aimed at meeting the needs of the teacher in terms of knowledge, practice and licensure requirements.

Note: Candidates not having completed a traditional undergraduate teacher licensure program may work on achieving teacher licensure while pursuing this degree, but must meet one of the two criteria listed below:

1. Qualify for admission to Harding’s teacher education program and follow all procedures as outlined in the undergraduate catalog.
2. Be admitted to and participating in Arkansas’ Non-traditional Licensure Program. (These candidates may be admitted with a provisional teaching license.)

Candidates falling into either of these categories must submit proof of initial teaching licensure prior to being awarded a graduate degree. Teacher education courses may be taken at the graduate level, if available, as outlined in the curriculum plan for his/her licensure area. The plan is available in the office of the dean of the College of Education.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Education Degree Programs

Admission to Harding University is determined on an individual basis with the following criteria considered: (1) academic preparation, (2) character, (3) educational interests and (4) academic potential. Effort is made to admit all students who qualify and who can benefit from the unique educational program and opportunities available at Harding irrespective of their religious faith, national origin, sex, race or color. When applying, students should be aware of the distinct purpose of Harding University and be willing to commit themselves to upholding institutional values.

Applicants for the Master of Education degree program must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Educational Leadership candidates must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher, or a grade point average of 3.0 on the last 60 hours. All others must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher, or 2.75 on the last 60 hours. All GPAs must be attested by official transcript(s) OR an earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, attested by an official transcript.
2. Educational Leadership (building level) candidates must hold a valid teaching license and have a minimum of two years of teaching experience in the area for which they are seeking licensure (P-8 or 5-12). Curriculum program administrator candidates must hold a valid teaching license and have a minimum of two years of teaching experience in the area for which they are seeking licensure (P-12, 4-8, or 7-12).  Advanced Teaching and Learning applicants must have a valid teaching license and have a minimum of one year of teaching or education-related experience. All other Master of Education candidates must hold a current teaching license or earn the required score on one of the following entrance exams:
   
   • PRAXIS II Examinations, earning at least the Arkansas cut-off score for licensure (Principles of Learning and Teaching and Specialty area)
   • Miller Analogies Test, target score of 380
   • GRE general exam, target score of 900 (Quantitative and Verbal combined).

Application Procedure

1. An application form for admission may be obtained online at www.harding.edu/education or by contacting the chair of Graduate Studies in Education, Box 12261, Searcy, AR 72149-2261; or e-mail gradstudiesedu@harding.edu.
2. Applications must be accompanied by a $40 application fee which is not refundable and will not apply against the general registration fee if the applicant enrolls.
3. Applications must provide satisfactory references from three individuals attesting to the applicant’s professional or academic performance, including one related to professional ability in the degree area to which the student is applying.
4. Educational Leadership candidates must submit written support from his/her immediate supervisor, including a commitment to allow the candidate to participate in field experiences and internships.

Provisional Admission

An applicant who does not fully meet the requirements listed above may receive provisional admission if he or she:

1. Is applying for the Educational Leadership program and holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average below 2.75 but not less than 2.50, attested to by official transcript(s). An applicant that applies for a Master of Education program other than Educational Leadership who does not fully meet the requirements listed above may receive provisional admission if he or she holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average below 2.50 but not less than 2.35, attested to by an official transcript. Provisional status is removed when the student completes 12 graduate level hours with at least a 3.0 grade point average, six of which must be in the academic area of concentration.
2. Has not submitted the required test score. The student is required to submit an acceptable score during the first semester enrolled for provisional status to be removed.
3. Holds a provisional teacher’s license. Provisional status is removed when the student submits an initial five-year license before the provisional license expires. This applies to all programs requiring a teaching license as a prerequisite.

Prerequisite Coursework

Leveling courses, if required, will not be included within the semester hour requirements for the Master of Education degree.

Other Program Requirements

Upon acceptance into the program, students must consult with the director of their program concerning the required course of study, register for classes online through Campus Pipeline each semester, and complete financial registration with the Business Office online.

Graduate students taking 500-level courses concurrently with undergraduate students taking the corresponding 300- and 400-level courses will be assigned additional work. All Master of Education degrees are required to include a minimum of 18 hours from courses numbered 600 or above.

With the exception of the program in Educational Leadership, all work must be completed within a period of eight calendar years. Course work taken more than eight years before graduation will not be acceptable. The program in Educational Leadership must be completed within six years from time of admission to the program. Course work taken more than six years before graduation will not be acceptable.

Comprehensive examinations are required for the Master of Education degree. Educational Leadership students must successfully complete a portfolio in lieu of comprehensive examinations. An application for the exams must be filed during the last semester of study. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies in Education for the deadline date. NOTE: Students wishing to do research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Education–Secondary or the Master of Education-Elementary program may be granted 6 hours credit, which will include a semester of EDFD 658 , followed by the corresponding academic area thesis course. Special arrangements must be made with the chair of graduate studies. An oral defense of the thesis is required. The completion of the thesis replaces comprehensive examinations.

Transfer and International Students

Correspondence credit will not apply toward the master’s degree. Students may transfer from other graduate schools, subject to the approval of the chair of graduate studies, a maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate work in which they have a grade of “B” or higher. All coursework to be transferred must be completed before a student’s last semester.

A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for students whose native language is not English, unless the student already holds a degree from an American college or university.

Academic Standing Requirements

These requirements are common to all programs in education and are listed in the Cannon-Clary College of Education  section.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Requests for degree may be submitted prior to a student’s final semester but must be submitted no later than the first week of the final semester. The graduation fee must be paid to the Business Office the last semester before graduation.

Degree requirements and curricula are listed below.

Master of Education – Educational Leadership

NOTE: For this degree, credit for course work from other institutions of higher education will be transferred ONLY if that institution has a program of study that is reflective of the Arkansas Standards of Licensure for Building Level Principals and the Interstate School Leaders Consortium (ISLLC) and is approved by NCATE or TEAC.

This degree must be completed within six years from the time of admission to the graduate program.

To earn this degree, a student must successfully complete (1) the following 37 semester hours of coursework and (2) an oral defense of a professional portfolio. This is designed to be a five-semester program, but it must be completed within six years from the time of admission. Course work that is taken more than six years before graduation will not be acceptable. (Prerequisite: The student must hold a current teaching license with two years teaching experience.)