Master of Arts: Excellence in Teaching (EXIT), MA

Master of Arts: Excellence in Teaching

The Master of Arts: Excellence in Teaching program is designed for licensed teachers who want to make a difference in the education of their students by staying in the classroom and improving their skills as teachers. Candidates utilize best practices in curriculum and instruction to enhance their knowledge and skills to become master practitioners, Lead Teachers, and/or Team Leaders. The core courses of this degree are all offered online, and the emphasis area courses are offered in online, hybrid (online and face-to-face) and face-to-face delivery. Therefore, this degree can be completed online. This degree does not lead to or add any licensure. A valid teacher’s license is required.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree (non-licensure program)

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.

NOTE: This degree does not lead to or add any licensure.

Applicants for the Master of Arts 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, and must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher, or a GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours, attested by an official transcript.
2. Hold a current teaching license.

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 professional/academic background and potential for success in the program,
   2. documentation of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization record,
   3. and current educator license.

Provisional Admission

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

Prerequisites

The student must hold a current teaching license.

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 elective credit in which they have earned 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. 

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.

To earn a Master of Arts: Excellence in Teaching degree, a student must successfully complete the following 35 semester hours of coursework. These requirements must be completed within eight years of graduation. No comprehensive exams are required. (Prerequisite: Current teaching license.)