Graduate Studies in Education

Administrative Information

Chair (Teacher Education): Shawn Christiansen
ED 318 ~ (435) 865-8171
Fax: (435) 865-8532

Director, Administrative License: Ray Brooks
ED 326 ~ (435) 865-8576

Program Specialist (Administrative/Supervisory License): Shelley Dahlin
ED 319 ~ (435) 865-7968

Director, Professional Studies: Thomas Cunningham
ED 304 ~ (435) 865-8242

Program Specialist (Master of Education Degree; non-degree seeking): Sandy Ward
ED 316 ~ (435) 865-8759

Director, Accreditation, Assessment, Program Quality: David Lund
ED 313 ~ (435) 865-8134

Graduate Faculty: For information on faculty, please go to our faculty and staff webpage at: http://suu.edu/ed/graduate/faculty-staff.html

Degrees Offered

Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.) (36 credits)
Emphasis available in:

• Reading
• English as a Second Language
• Technology Education
• Gifted and Talented
• Integrated Studies
• Elementary Math

Master of Education Degree with Administrative/Supervisory License (LEAD) (42 credits)
Master of Education Degree with School Library Media Endorsement (M.Ed.) (42 credits)
Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance (M.S.S.C.P.)   (33 credits)

Non-Degreed Programs of Study

Licensure Programs

1. Leadership in Education and Administrative Development (LEAD-Administrative Only) 33 credits

Non-Degree programs and Endorsements (may be used for elective credit) for a Master of Education Degree

1. Reading (also offered in district sponsored professional learning communities)
2. English as a Second Language (also offered in district sponsored professional learning communities)
3. Education Technology
4. Gifted and Talented (offered in district sponsored professional learning communities only)
5. Elementary Math (offered in district sponsored professional learning communities only)
6. Library Media (may also be used for elective credit for a Masters degree. The Program is offered through the Library. Please refer to Library Media for more information.
7. Special Education License (offered during consecutive summers for students with a bachelor of education degree)

Overview of Programs 

The Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human Development’s Graduate Studies in Education programs have been tailored to meet the needs of practicing professionals in either education or physical education who desire to advance their educational training and expertise. The department faculty and staff believe that professionals are faced with a variety of challenges and needs. The department’s programs provide multiple distance, face-to-face, and blended learning opportunities for individuals who desire to obtain a Masters of Education Degree, Masters of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance an Administrative/Supervisory License, and/or specific endorsements to become highly qualified in critical areas of need.

The College’s Professional Teacher Education Program and the Leadership in Education and Administrative Development (LEAD) Program have been accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) through June, 2014.

Mission

Graduate Studies in Education Programs

The mission of the Graduate Studies in Education is to develop dynamic professional educators, educational administrators, and leaders who constantly search for truth, excellence and knowledge through effective practice, collaboration and scholarship.

Teacher Licensure and Professional Development Program Goals

The goal of the Teacher Licensure and Professional Development programs is to prepare professional educators who are:

• Caring
• Competent
• Knowledgeable

Leadership in Education and Administrative Development (LEAD) Program Mission/Goals

The mission of the LEAD Program is to provide educational leaders who make student achievement their priority while focusing on the whole child. To develop these leaders, the LEAD Program focuses on developing future administrators who are:

• Caring Leaders
• Knowledgeable Instructional Leaders
• Strategic Decision Makers 

Program Learning Outcomes

Teacher Licensure and Professional Development Program Learning Outcomes

• Professional educators will more fully construct an in-depth knowledge of content and pedagogy and acquire the skills and dispositions necessary to transform knowledge and theory into instructional practices, which actively engage students in the learning process.
• Professional educators will become more competent and reflective practitioners and decision makers.
• Professional educators will more fully adopt an ethic of caring. This includes the development of a kind, thoughtful, and compassionate approach to teaching and learning. It also includes the development of an attitude that invites success and brings out the best possible self in both student and teacher.
• Professional educators will understand the value of life-long learning and be more fully prepared to instill this value in their future students.
• Professional educators will understand and be more fully prepared to work with diverse populations.
• Professional educators will understand available technologies and be more fully prepared to utilize them appropriately to enhance instruction.

Leadership in Education and Administrative Development (LEAD) Program Learning Outcomes

• Educational leaders will be adept at community collaboration.
• Educational leaders will be leaders within their school system.
• Educational leaders will promote best teaching practices to maximize student success.
• Educational leaders will be ethical within their school system.
• Educational leaders will provide visionary leadership within their school system.
• Educational leaders will manage the school system resources within their school system to promote student learning.

Graduate Studies in Education - Application and Admission Procedures

Note: Admission to Graduate Studies in Education programs is a separate process from admission to the Southern Utah University School of Graduate Studies. There is no provisional admission in Graduate Studies in Education.

For detailed directions on SUU School of Graduate Studies application procedures, potential candidates applying individually should refer to the Graduate Studies in Education webpage: http://www.suu.edu/ed/graduate/

A. Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies in Education Programs.

All requirements for each program must be met prior to admission to the program.

For specific requirements for Graduate Studies in Education Programs, please see our website at:

http://suu.edu/ed/graduate/masters.html  for the Master of Education degree.

http://suu.edu/ed/graduate/non-degree-seeking.html for non-degree professional development

http://suu.edu/ed/graduate/admin.html for the Administrative License, with or without the Master of Education Degree.

B. GPA Requirements

Transcripts must verify a minimum GPA of 3.25 on the last 60 semester credits (90 quarters/credits) of approved undergraduate/graduate coursework.

C. Examination Requirement

All degree-/license-seeking applicants with a GPA below 3.25 must take and pass the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the ETS® Personal Potential Index. Acceptable scores on the GRE must be at or above the 65th percentile on each of the sections-Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The GRE has a reporting life of five years. If it has been more than five years since it was last taken, you will need to retake the test. If the version you took did not include the written portion or the Personal Potential Index, you will need to take this portion or retake the test according to ETS® policies and procedures.

D. Application Deadlines

Applications are not processed until they are complete. To ensure that your application can be processed in time to register for the next semester, all application materials must be completely filled in and received in the Graduate Studies in Education office by the following dates:

E. Orientation Information

Before being admitted and cleared for appropriate coursework, applicants must also complete an orientation session. Orientation sessions may be during the first core course or in some cases online or via IVC (formerly EDNET) or some other online meeting program. Dates vary. Please contact the department at 435-865-8759 or ward_s@suu.edu for details.

F. General Program Information

• Master’s, Licensure, and Endorsement programs must be completed within six (6) years of beginning coursework after admission. Up to twelve (12) credits of approved graduate coursework may be used as elective credits toward the M.Ed. Credit may be no older than 10 years at the time of program completion.
• Graduate students must earn a 3.25 GPA each semester. If the overall GPA falls below 3.25, the student will be placed on probation for one semester. At the end of the probationary semester, if the GPA is not a 3.25, the student will be dropped from the program. A C+ grade or below is considered a failing grade. If a student earns a C+ or below in a course, the course must be retaken. . NO OTHER  courses may be taken (even concurrently), until the grade has been raised to the minimum B- grade. Failure to raise the grade in two subsequent attempts will result in the student being dropped from the program. Students dropped from the program may apply for readmission after a five-year period has passed.
• Graduate students must display professional dispositions, including, but not limited, to academic integrity, throughout their course of study. Student performance reviews occur routinely during graduate faculty meetings and concerns regarding student dispositions are discussed. If warranted, concerns will be addressed through various means which may require action from the student before continuing in the program.
• Incidents of academic dishonesty will be investigated and could impact the final grade in the course and/or status in the program. Section II C. 2 b. of the SUU Student Handbook prohibits “Cheating, forgery, plagiarism or other use of work belonging to another person.” As stated in the SUU Catalog, “If a student is guilty of academic dishonesty, the student may be dismissed from the class and may receive a failing grade. Other penalties may include suspension or expulsion from school.” The Department of Graduate Studies randomly uses plagiarism detection software on submitted work.
• Information on Independent Study Courses can be acquired through the Office of Graduate Studies in Education. There is an additional fee for Independent Study courses.
• If a student misses more than two consecutive semesters, excluding summer sessions, the student must apply for readmission and is subject to current catalog requirements at the time of readmission.
• Delivery of graduate programs is done through a variety of formats. Instructional delivery will be face-to-face or in interactive televised settings. All courses will have semester-long online components.
• Due to the rigorous nature of graduate studies, students must have special permission from the Graduate Studies in Education Office to enroll in more than six (6) hours/credits during fall or spring semesters. Students may enroll for no more than 12 hours/credits during the summer.
• Students who receive a grade indicating non-completion of the Capstone course (EDUC 6933, 6898 or 6899), not a failing grade, MUST register for the EDUC 6931 Capstone Seminar course for up to two immediately consecutive semesters (not counting Summer semester, although this course could be done in the Summer semester if desired) to complete the Capstone Portfolio/Project Thesis. Failure to register in the next appropriate semester or to complete the work in one of the subsequent two semesters will result in a failing grade for the Capstone, incurring the consequences for failing a course.
• Policies and procedures are subject to change. 

Other Information

National Standards

Programs of study within Graduate Studies in Education are aligned to national standards and assessments. Among these are:

NBPTS Standards

The Five Core Principles of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) guide and provide a conceptual framework for the operation of the M.Ed. Program.

ISLLC Standards

The Leadership in Education and Administrative Development (LEAD) program is aligned with the standards of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium. The ISLLC Standards are used extensively in coursework and internship activities.

Utah Professional Teacher Standards

The professional development programs are aligned with the Utah Professional Teacher Standards.

Utah Educational Leadership Standards 

InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards

The professional development programs are aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)

Common Core State Standards

The professional development and administrative licensure programs integrate and emphasize the standards set forth in the Common Core State Standards initiative.

ETS Praxis Exam Topics

The administrative licensure program is aligned to the topics found in the Educational Testing Service 0411 Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam.