Education, M.Ed.

Director: Dr. Janette Kelly

Adjunct Instructors in Graduate Education: Justin Arthur; Donald Billotte; Jeanette Black; Douglas Bleggi, D.Ed.; Frances Boyd, Ed. D.; Patricia Burlingame; Sherri Campbell; David Crumrine, D. Ed.; Robert Diamond; Harry Faduski, Ed. D.; Joseph Falger; James Foster; Paul Gallagher; D. Ed., Timothy Gildea; Megan Horsh, D. Ed.; Bernard Joyce, Ed. D.; John Jubas, D. Ed.; Janette Kelly, Ph. D.; Danielle Lynn; Joseph Macharola, D. Ed.; Susan Makosy, D. Ed.; Ronald McCahan, D. Ed.; Margaret McMinn; Frank Meloy, D. Ed.; Norman Miller; Dennis Murray, D. Ed.; William Padamonsky; Barbara Parkins; Gary Robinson, D. Ed.; G. Brian Toth, Ed.D.; Marshal Wagner; Sherry Wells; John Wilson; Andy Woomer.

The Program

The Master of Education degree program is designed for teachers and other individuals interested in pursuing an advanced degree. The program provides advanced study for elementary and secondary educators interested in increasing their professional knowledge base and skills. The program seeks to facilitate students’ ability to be analytical, reflective decision-makers. Courses are designed to link educational theory and classroom practice for application in students’ current or future professional settings.

Location and Time

Courses meet at various alternative sites and at the campus in Loretto. Evening classes are offered in spring, summer and fall sessions.

Admission

Students must apply for admission into the program.

Applicants:

• must have completed the bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
• must have a minimum quality point average of 2.5 in their last two years of undergraduate study, or have a minimum quality point average of 3.0 in another master’s degree program;
• must complete either the Graduate Record Exam or the Miller Analogy Test, unless undergraduate GPA is 2.8 or higher;
• should hold an Instructional I or Provisional teaching certificate (not required).

All applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application packet to the Education Office. This packet will include a completed application form, a non-refundable application fee of $30 in the form of a check or money order payable to Saint Francis University, proof of taking the GRE or MAT, if applicable, two letters of professional recommendation, and one letter of personal recommendation. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate course work, as completed by the applicant, must be sent directly from the college/university to the Graduate Education Office. Applicants may take up to, but no more than, six (6) credits while their credentials are being processed.

Transfer Credit

With the approval of the Chair of the Education Department, students may transfer up to six hours of graduate credits from another college or university. Students must submit this request in writing along with a course description and forward an official transcript from the college or university attended to the Education Office. Saint Francis University will not accept course transfers or substitutions that are of a workshop nature. Courses taken seven (7) years prior to request for transfer will not be considered.

Degree Requirements

• Students must complete their degrees within five (5) years of their initial enrollment.
• A minimum average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. If a student falls below the 3.0 requirement he or she will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Student’s continued eligibility in the program will depend on the GPA in the semester following the low GPA. If the student’s GPA does not go above the 3.0, after being placed on probation, the student is subject to dismissal from the program.
• Students must pass 30 to 36 credits of master-level education courses depending on which option they choose. These options include the following: 1) take 30 credits and pass a comprehensive examination designed to assess students’ ability to synthesize and apply their learning; 2) take 30 credits and write a Master’s Thesis (three additional credits for a total of 33 credits).

See Degree Requirement Options for additional information.

Master of Education Degree Requirement Options

Option I: 30 Credits and Comprehensive Examination (Exam 501)

• This is a non-credit examination ($150 fee) designed to assess students’ ability to synthesize and apply their learning. This exam takes approximately five (5) hours to complete.
• Students should apply for the comprehensive examination after they have completed at least 24 semester hours of course work with a QPA of at least 3.0 within the Master of Education degree program.
• Students must have completed all of the requirements in the following categories: Area of Educational Core and Area of Curriculum and Instruction (as defined in the current curriculum).
• Students that are eligible to take the Comprehensive Exam should register for the exam when registering for courses. Students need to register for exam 501. The Master of Education comprehensive examination is given three times annually: once each during the fall and spring semesters and once during the summer term.
• The comprehensive exam may be taken no more than two times.

Option II: 30 Credits and a Master’s Thesis (33 credits total)

• A letter requesting approval must be sent to the Director of Graduate Education. Approval must be granted and a mentor assigned for pursuing this option.
• Students should apply after they have completed at least 24 semester hours of course work with a QPA of at least 3.0 within the Master of Education Program.
• Students must have completed all of the requirements in the following categories: Area of Educational Core and Area of Curriculum and Instruction (as defined in the current curriculum).
• When approval is complete, students must enroll in EDUC 601 - Independent Study . This is a three-credit course.