Why is it a graduate-level program?
The M.Ed. philosophy explained
 We want to prepare the best.
Incoming students know they want to teach and already have experience
to build upon. Our students must have a minimum of 100 hours of
work experience in an educational setting with an age group that
corresponds to their planned professional field. They also must
have work or volunteer experience with students from backgrounds
different than their own.
We want our students to succeed.
A century of research and experience has shown us that students
who meet these requirements are more likely to succeed in the classroom
and in their careers. According to surveys of our graduates and
the school administrators who hire them, students completing our
initial licensure programs are reflective practitioners who routinely
analyze their own work, monitor their students’ progress, and adjust
and improve their teaching practices.
Research supports graduate-level programs.
“We have had an excellent history with the U of M grads
that we've hired. … I wish all schools had post-bac programs
for initial licensure. Post-bacs are much stronger in their
content and pedagogy.”-2008 employer survey response
A master’s level program is consistent with the recommendation
of the National Commission of Teaching
and America’s Future (1996). See
What Matters Most: Teaching for America's Future [.pdf].
We believe in continuing professional development.
Students are recommended for licensure and can begin teaching
before they complete the M.Ed. After gaining experience in their
own classrooms, teachers come back to complete their degree by taking
additional graduate credits.
Interviews with candidates, graduates,
cooperating teachers, school administrators, and others
indicated that candidates possess the pedagogical content
knowledge needed to be successful. For example, during
interviews current candidates reported “…classes are hands
on…realistic… I can use the things I learned in that class
in my first day on the job.”
NCATE/BOT
report, 2006
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