Elementary Education (MEd)

Master of Education Degree Programs (MEd)

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The Master of Education degree is offered in multiple areas:

1. Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning
2. Curriculum & Instruction and Instructional Facilitator Endorsement Licensure
   1. Curriculum Specialist
   2. Special Education
3. Educational Leadership
4. Elementary Education
   1. Education
   2. Educational Technology
   3. Gifted and Talented Education
   4. Special Education
   5. Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
   6. Dyslexia Therapist Endorsement - Reading (RDNG)  
5. Reading
6. Early Childhood Special Education
7. Secondary Education
   1. Art
   2. Behavioral Sciences
   3. Education
   4. English
   5. French
   6. Gifted and Talented Education
   7. History/Social Sciences
   8. Kinesiology
   9. Mathematics
   10. Spanish
   11. 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, minimum score of 380
   • GRE general exam, minimum 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.

The prerequisite for admission to any graduate-level course in the Department of Foreign Languages and International Studies includes the completion of a minimum of 15 semester hours of advanced work (300-level and above) in the given language and consent of the department chair before entrance to the program. Native speakers whose undergraduate program does not include advanced work in the language may seek admission by passing the departmental senior exit exam with a 75% in each area. Some individual graduate-level courses may require specific additional prerequisites as noted. Failure to meet these prerequisites may result in the need to take remedial work at the undergraduate level before entry to the program. Students enrolled in dual-listed courses, i.e., 300/500 will be required to perform at a higher level than their undergraduate classmates.

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.

All requirements of the program must be completed within eight years from the time of acceptance into the program, with the exception of the programs in Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Leadership. Course work taken more than eight years before graduation will not be acceptable.

All requirements of the programs in Curriculum and Instruction, and 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.

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.

Students who (1) speak English as a second language, and have (2) not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited American college or university must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. However, in lieu of these exam, professional programs in the health sciences may assess such students with an interview and/or a writing exam.

Minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission to the university are 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (Internet-based test). The minimum IELTS score is 6.0. Scores must not be older than two years prior to the date of application to the university. Please note that individual programs may have more stringent minimum requirements.

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 - Elementary Education

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Available endorsements:

• Dyslexia Therapist  
• Gifted & Talented  
• Teaching English as a Second Language  

To earn this degree, a student must successfully complete (1) the following 35 semester hours of coursework, and (2) written comprehensive examinations.