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Contact Information:

Graduate Program Placement & Advising Coordinator:
 

Barbara Woerner
(970) 943-2030
education@western.edu

Address:
Education Program
Crawford Hall
Western State Colorado University
600 N. Adams
Gunnison, CO 81231

 

Program Requirements

A description of the Graduate Programs in Education

 In this program the master’s candidate must earn and successfully complete a minimum of 40 semester hours of graduate course work, including a graduate capstone. The candidate will earn a Master of Arts in Education in one of three tracks: Teacher Leadership, Reading Leadership, K-12 Online Teacher Leadership. This program is not for undergraduate students because they are not eligible for the graduate level course work. Once an applicant has been accepted to the program, a graduate advisor will be assigned to assist the applicant in developing a degree plan, which includes a comprehensive exam and capstone. In considering transfer credit for required education courses at the graduate level the course credit must have been earned within the past five years. Transfer credits must be approved by the major advisor on the degree plan. Copies of official transcripts, course descriptions, and/or course syllabi must be submitted to the Teacher Education Program for a determination of transfer credit. The candidate has a maximum of five years to complete the Master of Arts in Education degree.

In order to earn the MA degree, the candidate must successfully complete two years of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience.

As part of the program a candidate earns teacher licensure in one area, as indicated below.
  • A candidate intending to pursue the Master of Arts in Education, Teacher Leadership track will complete one of the following licensure programs, Elementary, Secondary, K-12, Secondary English, or Special Education Generalist, as part of the master’s.
  • A candidate intending to pursue the Master of Arts in Education, Reading Leadership track will complete one of the following licensure programs, Elementary, Secondary English, or Special Education Generalist, as part of the master’s.
  • A candidate intending to pursue the Master of Arts in Education, Online Teacher Leadership track will complete one of the following licensure programs, Elementary, Secondary, K-12, Secondary English, or Special Education Generalist, as part of the master’s.
  • A candiate intending to pursue the Master of Arts in Education, Educational Administrator Leadership track will complete the Administrative Licensure Program as a part of the master's. 

Elementary Licensure Program

Requires 27 credits of education course work:

  • EDUC 600 Foundations of Literacy Development, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 601 Methods and Strategies of Effective Reading Instruction, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 602 Literacy Assessment Informed Instruction, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 604 Learning Environments, 3 cr
  • EDUC 605 Curriculum Development and Assessment, 3 cr
  • EDUC 608 Methods and Strategies of Effective Writing Instruction, 3 cr
  • EDUC 613 Methods and Strategies of Effective Mathematics Instruction, 3 cr
  • EDUC 619 Elementary Student Teaching 1-6cr.

Secondary and K-12 Licensure Program

 (with the exception of students seeking Secondary English Licensure)
Requires 27 credits of education course work:

  • EDUC 603 Content Area Learning, 3cr.       
  • EDUC 604 Learning Environments, 3cr.
  • EDUC 605 Curriculum Development and Assessment ,3cr.
  • EDUC 606 Reading in the Content Area, 3cr.
  • EDUC 607 Rethinking Learning Through 21st Century Skills, 3cr.
  • EDUC 608 Methods and Strategies of Effective Writing Instruction, 3 cr
  • EDUC 620 Engaging Diverse Learners  3 credits
  • Appropriate Student Teaching Course:
    • EDUC 609 Secondary Student Teaching 6cr.
    • EDUC 610 K-12 Student Teaching 6cr.

Secondary English Licensure Program

Requires 27 credits of education course work:

  • EDUC 601 Methods and Strategies of Effective Reading Instruction, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 602 Literacy Assessment Informed Instruction, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 603 Content Area Learning, 3 cr.       
  • EDUC 604 Learning Environments, 3cr.
  • EDUC 605 Curriculum Development and Assessment , 3cr.
  • EDUC 607 Rethinking Learning Through 21st Century Skills, 3cr.
  • EDUC 608 Methods and Strategies of Effective Writing Instruction, 3 cr
  • Appropriate Student Teaching Course:
    • EDUC 609 Secondary Student Teaching 6cr.

Special Education Generalist Licensure Program

Requires 27 credits of education course work:

  • EDUC 600Foundations of Literacy Development, 3 cr
  • EDUC 601 Methods and Strategies of Effective Reading Instruction, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 602 Literacy Assessment Informed Instruction, 3 cr.
  • EDUC 611 Strategies and Techniques for Teaching Students with Support Needs, 3 cr
  • EDUC 612 Behavioral Analysis and Intervention, 3 cr
  • EDUC 613 Methods and Strategies of Effective Mathematics Instruction, 3 cr
  • EDUC 614 Collaborating for Students with Support Needs, 3 cr
  • EDUC 615 Special Education Student Teaching, 6 cr

Teacher Leadership Track

In order to earn the MA degree, the candidate must successfully complete two years of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience. The candidate that does not yet hold a license must become a licensed teacher at the conclusion of the first year. Already licensed teachers have the option of adding an endorsement. Successful completion of the second year will result in earning the MA degree.
 
  • The first year program structure includes course work credits ranging from 24 – 27: Elementary 27 credits, Secondary & K-12 24 credits, Secondary English 27 credits, OR Special Education Generalist 27 credits
  • The second year structure includes 16 credits of course work, including graduate capstone.
  • EDUC 680 Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders ,4 cr
  • EDUC 681 Curriculum and Collaboration in School Sites, 3 cr
  • EDUC 682 Leadership in School Sites, 3 cr
  • Choice below for 3 credits
    • EDUC 683 School Law, 3 cr
    • EDUC 684 Materials and Motivation for Reading, 2 cr
    • EDUC 685 Assessing, Evaluating, and Instructing At-risk and Struggling Readers, 3 cr
    • EDUC 686 Literacy Coaching and Mentoring, 2 cr
    • EDUC 687 School-Wide Comprehensive Literacy Program Development, 2 cr
    • EDUC 690 School Law for Site Leaders Seminar, 1 cr
    • EDUC 691 Fostering Collaborative School Sites, 1 cr
    • EDUC 692 Issues and Trends in Leadership Seminar,1 cr
  • EDUC 693 Capstone 3 credits
Total Credits 40-43 credits

Reading Leadership Track

In order to earn the MA degree, the candidate must successfully complete two years of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/school practical experience. The candidate that does not yet hold a license must become a licensed teacher at the conclusion of the first year. Already licensed teachers have the option of adding an endorsement. Successful completion of the second year will result in earning the MA degree. At the conclusion of the second year the candidate also may be eligible for a Reading Teacher or Specialist endorsement, depending on years of teaching experience.
 
  • First year course work credits equal 27 credits: Elementary 27 credits, Secondary English 27 credits, OR Special Education Generalist 27 credits
  • Second year course work consists of 16 credits, including graduate capstone.
  • EDUC 680 Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders ,4 cr
  • EDUC 684 Materials and Motivation for Reading, 2 cr
  • EDUC 685 Assessing, Evaluating, and Instructing At-risk and Struggling Readers, 3 cr
  • EDUC 686 Literacy Coaching and Mentoring, 2 cr
  • EDUC 687 School-Wide Comprehensive Literacy Program Development, 2 cr
  • EDUC 693 Capstone 3 credits
  • OPTIONAL courses required in the Reading Leadership Emphasis to add Colorado endorsements in Reading Teacher and/or Reading Specialist
    • Reading Teacher Internship 3 credits
    • Reading Specialist Internship 3credits
Total Credits 43 credits

 

K-12 Online Teacher Leadership Track

In order to earn the MA degree, the candidate must successfully complete two years of education course work in conjunction with in-classroom/virtual classroom experience. The candidate that does not yet hold a license must become a licensed teacher at the conclusion of the first year. Already licensed teachers have the option of adding an endorsement. Successful completion of the second year will result in earning the MA degree.

  • First-year course work requires students to successfully complete 27 credits for their chosen Licensure Track (Elementary, Secondary, K-12, Secondary English, or Special Education Generalist).
  • Second year course work consists of 16 credits, including graduate capstone.
  • EDUC 621 Creating Effective Online Learning Environments, 3 credits
  • EDUC 622 Using Data to Plan for Online Targeted Learning and Interventions, 3 credits
  • EDUC 623 Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction, 3 credits
  • EDUC 680   Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders, 4 credits
  • EDUC 693  Capstone, 3 credits
Total Credit: 43 credits

Educational Administrator Leadership

In order to earn the MA degree, the candidate must successfully complete two years of principal education course work and at least one concurrent year-long contractual or internship experience in administration. At the conclusion of the first year the candidate must become licensed as a principal. Already licensed teachers have the option of adding an endorsement. Successful completion of the second year will result in earning the MA degree. 
 
  • First year course work is 28 credits.
  • Second year course work consists of 16 credits, including graduate capstone.
  • EDUC 680 Research and Critical Inquiry for Leaders 4 cr
  • EDUC 681 Curricular Program Evaluation, 3 cr
  • EDUC 682 Leadership in School Sites, 3 cr
  • EDUC 683 School Law, 3 cr 
  • EDUC 693 Capstone, 3 cr
  • Three credits form the following:
    • EDUC 690 School Law for Site Leaders Seminar, 1 cr
    • EDUC 691 Fostering Collaborative School Sites, 1 cr
    • EDUC 692 Issues and Trends in Leadership Seminar,1 cr

Total Credits 44 credits