Education, MEd

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.

Degree Requirements

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)

EDUC 670 - Intro to Professional Inquiry 1 credit(s)
EDUC 671 - The Scholarship of Teaching 1 credit(s)
EDUC 674 - Planning the Inquiry Project 2 credit(s)
EDUC 675 - Completing the Inquiry Project 2 credit(s)
EDUC 682 - Technology Enhanced Learning Environment 2 credit(s)
OR
EDUC 607 - Technological Learning Environments 2 credit(s)

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)

Certificates

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.

RDNG 410 - Foundations of Literacy Acquisition & Development 3 credit(s)
RDNG 411 - Literacy Fundamentals I 3 credit(s)
RDNG 412 - Literacy Fundamentals II 3 credit(s)
RDNG 413 - Literacy Evaluations for Instruction 3 credit(s)
RDNG 414 - Perspectives on Vision & Learning 3 credit(s)
OR
RDNG 610 - Foundations of Literacy Acquisition & Development 3 credit(s)
RDNG 611 - Literacy Fundamentals I 3 credit(s)
RDNG 612 - Literacy Fundamentals II 3 credit(s)
RDNG 613 - Literacy Evaluations for Instruction 3 credit(s)
RDNG 614 - Perspectives on Vision & Learning 3 credit(s)

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

EDTL 501 - Virtual Learning Communities 2 credit(s)
EDTL 520 - Applying Educ Tech to Problems of Prac 2 credit(s)

Electives: 6 Credits

EDTL 510 - Project Based Learning/Web 2.0 World 3 credit(s)
EDTL 515 - Exploring Tools for Learning 3 credit(s)
EDTL 530 - Developing a Professional Web Presence 1 credit(s)
EDTL 535 - Teaching Online 2 credit(s)
EDTL 560 - Special Topics in Technology 1-2 credit(s)
SPED 542 - Assistive Technology 1 credit(s)

Endorsement Tracks

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

ESOL 540 - Language Policy in ESOL Educ 2 credit(s)
ESOL 544 - Educational Linguistics ESOL Teachers 3 credit(s)
ESOL 560 - Foundations of ESOL Methods 2 credit(s)
ESOL 564 - ESOL Methods Assessment & Technology 2 credit(s)
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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.