Oct 08, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Academic Catalog 2024-2025

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. 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; and Technology Learning.

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.

Certificates, Endorsements, and Specializations


Students have an opportunity to focus in the following tracks or areas (22 credits):

  • Certificates –
    • Technology and Learning
  • Endorsements –
    • Dual ESOL and Reading Intervention (MED option only)
    • Elementary-Multiple Subjects
    • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (MED option available)
    • Reading Intervention (MED option available)
    • Selected Single Subject endorsement areas
    • Special Education (MED option available)
  • Specializations –
    • Talented and Gifted (TAG)

Certificates


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 computer system (e.g. with camera and microphone) and broadband Internet connection are required.

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.

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.  All of the below are required:

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:

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:

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.

Specializations


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. Coursework is conducted online to allow students flexibility and convenience. Students may enter the program during any semester. All of the below are required:

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 until December 1 for the spring semester, April 1 for the summer semester and July 1 for the fall semester.

Additional Admission Requirements:

  • TSPC Character Questions
  • Resume highlighting candidate’s experience with children/youth and/or an education setting
  • Copy of teaching license
  • Official transcript from each college/university attended
  • Two references who can speak to your ability to work with K-12 youth.  We may contact them if necessary.
  • Statement of goals and intent of pursuing this program of study.

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 and strength of recommendations. Selected applicants may be invited for a personal interview before a final decision is made.

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;
  • Understand how different teaching modalities encourage learning and how advances in cognitive science inform pedagogy;
  • Understand the ways in which race, class, gender, and sexual orientation dynamics inform and influence teaching;
  • Understand how the history of education in America influences present practice.

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