MSE Various Specialty Areas (MSE)

Master of Science in Education Degrees

The Master of Science in Education degree is limited to candidates not holding or working on teacher licensure, and is designed to facilitate student attainment of vocational and personal goals. Many vocations do not require teacher licensure, but advanced knowledge and training are encouraged so that excellence can be achieved. This degree is offered in several areas:

1. Art
2. Behavioral Sciences
3. Education
4. English
5. French
6. History/Social Sciences
7. Kinesiology
8. Mathematics
9. Spanish
10. Special Education K-12
11. Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Education degrees

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 Science degree program must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or more, or 2.75 on the last 60 hours, attested by an official transcript; Or, an earned master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, attested by an official transcript.
2. Earn the required score on one of the following entrance exams:
   • Miller Analogies Test (MAT), minimum target score of 380
   • Graduate Record Examination (GRE), minimum score of 286 (Quantitative and Verbal combined).

Application procedure:

1. Complete the online application.

2. Request official transcripts* be sent directly from previous institutions to graded@harding.edu.

   *Note: Harding alumni and current students do not need to request Harding transcripts as they are on file.

3. In addition, applicants must submit:

   1. three letters of recommendation that focus on the applicant’s academic and professional abilities,

   2. documentation of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization record,

   3. and request official results from either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) be sent to Harding University. When requesting the score from the Educational Testing Service please reference Harding University code 6267.

Provisional Admission:

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

1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a cumulative grade point average below 2.50 but not less than 2.35, attested to by official transcript(s). 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.

Prerequisites:

Leveling courses, if required, will not be included within the semester hour requirements for the Master of Science in 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 (3000-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., 3000/5000 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 5000-level courses concurrently with undergraduate students taking the corresponding 3000- and 4000-level courses will be assigned additional work.

All requirements of the program must be completed within eight years from the time of acceptance into the program. Course work taken more than eight years before graduation will not be acceptable.

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 resident 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 institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. 

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.

Master of Science in Education (Various Specialty Areas)

Depending on emphasis, the program of coursework for this degree is based on academic background and will be determined by the appropriate chair. Areas of emphasis may include various specialty areas, including Art, the Behavioral Sciences, Education, English, French, History/Social Science, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Spanish, Special Education K-12, or Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).

Up to 18 hours of leveling courses may be required before graduate courses can be taken.

This degree curriculum is not to be used for initial licensure. Students who have teacher licensure or who desire to become licensed to teach while pursuing the master’s degree will not be permitted to follow the Master of Science in Education degree plan.

Requirements

To earn this degree, a student must successfully complete the following 35 semester hours of coursework. A minimum of 18 hours must be selected from courses numbered 6000 or above.

Total Hours: 35