The Curriculum
The Curriculum
This 33 s.h. M.Ed. program is designed for teachers who are graduates of accredited institutions and initially licensed to teach.
The overall goal for the revised M.Ed. Program is to disrupt practitioners’ traditional concepts of schooling and move teachers toward more progressive visions and praxis. Candidates are: (1.) asked to re-imagine education from a range of theoretical perspectives, allowing for equitable learning opportunities that are respectful and responsive of students’ backgrounds, (2.) introduced to progressive student-centered pedagogies and classroom practices, and (3.) offered opportunities to experiment in their own practice with innovative pedagogies.
Cohort Program
Potential candidates are encouraged to enroll in Elon's intensive program leading to the Master of Education degree. The program involves two courses taught on campus each summer, three online courses in first academic year, and four online courses in the second academic year. Candidates progress through the program in a cohort. The M.Ed. Program will continue our current practice of offering candidates the option to live on campus during summer courses as this helps to foster the development of learning communities.
Degree Requirements
To earn an M.Ed. degree, the graduate candidate must:
- Have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 in graduate coursework
- Submit an application for graduation to the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the School of Education;
- Complete the required courses specified under the graduate core curriculum and major area, Innovation in Education;
- Complete 33 hours within six calendar years;
- Complete the Assessment Process throughout the program;
- Successfully complete the capstone project courses (MED 7800 and MED 7810) and candidate’s project must meet approval by both instructors of record. As a culminating experience, candidates are expected to work collaboratively with colleagues, administrators, families, community partners, and/or others to design and complete a project aimed at developing an equitable and supportive learning environment. Candidates who have not successfully completed the capstone in a timely manner may be given an incomplete grade on the capstone project. In such cases, candidates will not be awarded their degree until the instructor of record for the capstone course provides approval. At that point, candidates who received an Incomplete will be awarded the M.Ed. degree.
Innovation in Education
Graduate Core:
| MED 6360 | Foundations of Research | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 7610 | Leadership and Advocacy | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 7800 | Master of Education Capstone I | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 7810 | Master of Education Capstone II | Credits 3 sh |
Remaining Courses:
Graduate candidates who complete the four AIG courses can make the decision to work toward the full M.Ed. The courses in the AIG-LO Program are accepted toward the M.Ed. degree. To complete the full M.Ed., graduate candidates are required to take the four M.Ed. core courses and choose three courses from the remaining course list.
| MED 6110 | Reimagining Education | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 6210 | Classroom Culture and Restorative Practices | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 6250 | Justice-Oriented Teaching | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 6400 | Place-Based Education | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 7120 | Global Issues in Education | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 7400 | Project-Based Learning | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 7460 | Design Thinking | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 6999 | Independent Educational Research | Credits 1-3 sh |
Academically/ Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Add-On Licensure Program
The add-on licensure program, prepares teachers to obtain an Academically/Intellectually Gifted (K-12) Education add-on licensure to their North Carolina teaching license. This is not a degree program. Candidates complete 12 graduate semester hours of course-work (4 courses) through the M.Ed. Program during the course of an academic year. At the end of this 4-course sequence, completers are eligible to be recommended by the School of Education for additional licensure in North Carolina.
Required Courses:
| MED 5320 | Consultation and Collaboration Skills | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 5620 | Foundations of Education of Gifted Students | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 5640 | Curriculum & Instructional Design in Gifted Education | Credits 3 sh |
| MED 5670 | Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students | Credits 3 sh |