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Academic Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Education, MEd
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Introduction
Offered at Pacific University’s Eugene and Forest Grove campuses, the Master of Education program is for licensed teachers who want to deepen their expertise and specialize. Candidates also can earn an Oregon Professional Teaching License as part of the degree. The program consists of two core areas: the Foundation Core and the Specialization Core, as well as electives comprising a total of 30 semester credits. All candidates complete the courses in the Foundation Core. In some cases, candidates have an opportunity to add electives into their Specialization Core area. Candidates choose to specialize in one of the following areas, taking courses listed in one of Pacific’s endorsement or certificate programs: Reading Intervention; English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Special Education; Talented and Gifted Education; Dyslexia Certificate; Technology Learning; Cultural Competence.
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Required Coursework
Candidates must complete, within a 6-year period, a minimum of 30 credits as aligned to individual/personalized planned programs. All grades must be C or above; C- will not fulfill degree requirements.
Foundation Core (8 credits)
Certificates, Endorsements, and Specializations
Students have an opportunity to focus in the following tracks or areas (22 credits):
- Certificates –
- Dyslexia (See program coordinator for additional program information)
- Technology and Learning
- Endorsements –
- Dual ESOL and Reading Intervention
- Elementary-Multiple Subjects
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Reading Intervention
- Selected Single Subject endorsement areas
- Special Education
- Specializations –
- Talented and Gifted (TAG)
Dyslexia: 15 Credits
The Dyslexia Certificate is a 15-credit program. Each course aligns with the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and International Literacy Association (ILA) Standards, ensuring well-prepared, successful candidates. The courses address the foundational aspects of literacy acquisition and development, literacy assessment methodologies, and literacy instructional strategies for phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. Field work experience is embedded in each course, to ensure candidates have an opportunity for observation and practical application. All of the following are required:
Required Courses: 15 Credits
Complete 400 or 600 level series.
Technology and Learning: 10 credits
This 10-credit program is designed for practicing PreK-12 educators who are interested in learning how to effectively integrate technology into their professional practices and better support learning communities with their students. The program utilizes an integrated framework to help cultivate a habit of mind for conducting action research in authentic classroom settings to better understand critical problems of practice, as well as for thinking about issues of technology literacy (NETS) and curriculum design as the interconnection between technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge.
The TLC is a technology-based distance education program, therefore basic technology skills, a recent multimedia completer system (e.g. with camera and microphone) and broadband Internet connection are required.
Required Courses: 4 Credits
Dual Reading Intervention and English to Speakers of Other Languages: 28 Credits
Candidates must hold a current Teaching License endorsed for a general or special education classroom, or be enrolled in a pre-service program leading to a Teaching License endorsed for the regular or special education classroom.
Holding both the ESOL and Reading Intervention endorsements will qualify candidates to teach ESOL and Reading to students pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. In addition to coursework and practica, candidates must pass the state approved Reading Specialist and ESOL tests, and complete the required portfolios or case studies and complete a unit of study (typically 8-10 lessons). All of the below are required.
Required Courses: 28 Credits
Elementary-Multiple Subject Endorsement: 19 Credits
Candidates holding a current teaching license may enter into this program. It is designed for:
- Teachers on a conditional license who are the teacher of record in a general education classroom.
- Special educators who would like to teach elementary multiple subject.
- Those with a teaching license and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in teaching who want to work directly with TSPC to obtain their Professional Teaching License.
Candidates must hold a current teaching license endorsed for single subjects or the special education classroom. The Elementary-Multiple Subjects endorsement qualifies candidates to teach students pre-kindergarten through grade eight. In addition to coursework and practica, candidates must pass the stat-approved NES Elementary Education Subtest I and NES Elementary Education Subtest II tests. Candidates must also complete a unit of study (typically 8-10 lessons).
Candidates must complete a practicum but may not register for the practicum until testing and coursework requirements are fulfilled. In some circumstances, teaching on a license for conditional assignment may satisfy the practicum requirement. Permission of advisor and Director of the School of Learning and Teaching is required to waive the practicum. All of the below are required:
Required Courses: 19 Credits
English to Speakers of Other Languages: 15 Credits
Candidates must hold a current Teaching License endorsed for a general or special education classroom. The ESOL endorsement qualifies candidates to teach ESOL to students pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. In addition to coursework and practica, candidates must pass the state-approved ESOL test and complete a portfolio and/or unit of study (typically 8-10 lessons). All of the below are required:
Required Courses: 15 Credits
Reading Intervention: 16 Credits
Candidates must hold a current teaching license endorsed for a general or special education classroom. The Reading Intervention endorsement qualifies candidates to teach reading to students pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. In addition to coursework and practica, candidates must pass the state-approved reading specialist test, and submit required portfolio, case study or unit of study (typically 8-10 lessons). Prerequisites include coursework in psychological foundations and basic reading methodology appropriate for the level. All of the below are required:
Required Courses: 16 Credits
Special Education Endorsement: 24 Credits
Candidates holding a current Teaching License may enter this 18-month program. It is designed for:
- Teachers on a License for Conditional Assignment (LCA) who are the teacher of record in a special education classroom,
- General educators who would like to become special educators, or
- Licensed teachers with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in teaching who want to work directly with TSPC to obtain their Professional Teaching License.
Candidates must pass the special education test required by TSPC. In addition to coursework and practica, candidates must pass the state-approved Special Education test and submit a portfolio and/or unit of study (typically 8-10 lessons). All of the below are required.
Required Courses: 24 Credits
Talented and Gifted Education Specialization: 13 Credits
This 13-credit program is designed for teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals and parents who want to learn more about meeting the needs of gifted children. Each course is offered entirely online or in a blended format. Blended courses meet for three half-day sessions each semester. The remainder of the coursework is conducted online to allow students more flexibility and convenience. Students may enter the program during any semester. All of the below are required:
Required Courses: 13 Credits
Thesis
The capstone experience is a thesis, giving candidates an opportunity to synthesize professional education in the clinical setting. All Master of Education candidates will be appointed an Advisor who will guide the development, implementation and presentation of a research project.
Additional Admission Requirements
Applications for this program are accepted year-round.
Additional Admission Requirements:
- TSPC Character Questions
- Resume highlighting candidate’s experience with children/youth
- Copy of teaching license
- Official transcript from each college/university attended
- Two recommendations, from administrators/supervisors
- Two-page essay on candidate’s professional development goals
Selection Process
The selection committee screens the applicant pool. Selection is based on the published minimum requirements for admission and the following criteria: depth and breadth of undergraduate preparation, strength of recommendations, and written communication skills and critical thinking skills as assessed in an essay. Selected applicants are invited for a personal interview and, at that time, may be asked to complete a timed writing sample.
Transfer of credits is considered and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The number of transferrable credits will be determined by the Program Director, although typically not more than 10 credits which must have been taken within the past 5 years.
Program Length: 1-2 years
Learning Outcomes
The Master of Education program is designed for practicing teachers who want to deepen their expertise with a specialization, specifically in curriculum and instruction. Students develop nuanced understandings of best practices that enable them to assume leadership roles in schools and other educational organizations. Depending on the area of focus, students will understand the dynamic nature of school reform and its impact on teaching and learning; how different teaching modalities encourage learning; how advances in cognitive science inform pedagogy; the ways in which race, class, gender, and sexual orientation dynamics inform and influence teaching; as well as how the history of education in America influences present practice.
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