POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 MASTER'S DEGREE (M.Ed.)

The Master’s of Education Degree programs  (M.Ed.) are designed for students who wish to pursue graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree.  All M.Ed. degree programs, with the exception of the M.Ed. with Elementary or Secondary Teacher Certification Environmental education and holocaust studies, are intended for currently experienced or certified (or certifiable) teachers. 

 Most M.Ed. degrees require 36 semester hours, (C&I Prekindergarten requires 39 s.h.; M.Ed. in Reading 37 s.h.; and the Master’s with Elementary or Secondary Teacher Certification programs requires additional hours, see Web site for details).    The degree must be completed within seven years from the date a student is admitted to the M.Ed. program.  

I. Admission Procedures

 Admission requirements include the following documentation:

         A Bachelor’s degree in appropriate field from an accredited college or university.

        A Professional (five year) Florida Certificate (except for students seeking the M.Ed. plus Teacher Certification programs, the C&I Environmental Education and holocaust specialization).

      An overall grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work prior to the granting of the bachelor’s degree AND a minimum score of 800 (900 for the Reading Certification) on the quantitative and verbal (not analytical) sections of the Graduate Record Examination.  (Scores may not be more than 5 years old.)  OR
An overall grade point average of 2.5 or better in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work prior to the granting of the bachelor’s degree AND a Graduate Record Examination score of 1000, or better on the general section representing only the quantitative and verbal combined scores.  (Scores may not be more than 5 years old.)

        A photocopy of student teaching internship (minimum 6 semester hours) or a regular Florida certificate (not applicable for students seeking the M.Ed. plus Teacher Certification programs). 

A minimum of three years full-time teaching experience or appropriate verifiable experiences in an education position (not applicable for students seeking the M.Ed. plus Teacher Certification programs and the C&I Environmental Education programs).

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT REVIEWED UNTIL ALL DOCUMENTS ARE

 Application Sequence

       Obtain an “FAU Graduate Application” from the University Office of Graduate Admissions, or the Office of Academic and Student Services in the College of Education, or download the application from the Web site (http://www.fau.edu).

Submit by the deadline date to the FAU University Office of Graduate Admissions:

· The graduate application form.

· The non-refundable fee.

· Official transcripts from all previous institutions.  Official transcripts are those  which have been sent from the Registrar’s Office of each institution and received at FAU University Office of Admissions in unopened envelopes.

· Official GRE scores from the testing service.  It is university policy that scores may not be more than 5 years old.

· For all degrees (except for M.Ed. plus Teacher Certification, Environmental Education and holocaust) provide photocopy verification of either:  A Florida certificate  OR completion in a student teaching internship (minimum 9 semester hours).  

II. Program of Study Procedures  

       Upon notification of admission, the candidate must contact the assigned advisor to design and sign a program of study.  

        If transferring credit hours into the program:

·  No more than 9 semester hours of graduate credits can be taken prior to meeting and being programmed by the assigned advisor.  Courses taken during the semester the program is signed count toward the 9 semester hours.

·  A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit earned from another institution in a nondegree-seeking status may be transferred.

·  The advisor must complete the “Audit Form” and attach it with the approved program when courses are transferred into the program.

·  When credits are transferred into the program, they will reflect the beginning date of the signed program.  All M.Ed. work must be completed within seven years of the signed program.  

        If course changes are made in the program, a “Graduate Program Course Change” form must be completed and signed by the advisor then filed with the Office of Academic and Student Services in the College of Education.  

        If a change is necessary to replace the advisor, the candidate must:

·  Contact the Department Chairperson to discuss reasons for requesting this change.

·  If a change is recommended, the candidate and the chairperson identify a graduate-level faculty member who will agree to serve as the advisor.  

III. Program of Study Minimum Requirements  

There are several M.Ed. program of study options in the Department of Teacher Education (Curriculum & Instruction, Reading Certification, ESOL, M.Ed. plus Elementary or Secondary Teacher Certification, Prekindergarten, etc.).  Refer to FAU catalog or fau.edu Web site for the details of each program.  The following is an example of the program of study requirements for the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction:  

• Core courses                         9 semester hours

• Area of Specialization         18 semester hours 

• Elective course                     3 semester hours 

• Research courses                  6 semester hours               

                                     Total 36 semester hours.  

·  Area of Specialization (cognate) courses must be completed at the 6000 level in the college according to program requirements.

·  A minimum of 50 percent of all course work must be in the College of Education and at the 6000 level

·  The remaining 50 percent of all course work must be approved by the committee

·  Registration exceeding 15 credit hours must be approved in advanced by petitioning the Graduate Dean.  

VI.  Procedures for Graduation  

         Complete “Evaluation of Master’s Degree Program” form and return it to the Department of Teacher Education

       Complete the “Application for Graduation” from the Registrar’s Office or the Student Services Office in the College of Education. Check deadlines.

        Submit application with graduation fees.  Check deadlines.

Order cap and gown.
   

CONGRATULATIONS!   Commencement convocations are held in the Fall, Spring, and summer semesters.  

Original approved October 14, 1998 by the Department of Teacher Education with the intent that the document will be revised and edited as changes in University, College, or Department policies occur.  Revised 2001.