The College of Saint Elizabeth offers the Master of Arts in Education and Certification Programs approved by the NJ State Department of Education in Elementary Education (K-5), Secondary Education (K-12), and Special Education (Teacher of Students with Disabilities). The Master's degree can also be earned by combining initial certification and an endorsement certification.
Program Philosophy
The graduate degree program in education offered by the College of Saint Elizabeth prepares education professionals to assume leadership roles in meeting the challenges of educational settings that represent current cultural, social, technological, economic, learning and health factors, and global concerns. In this program, the teacher is viewed as the central professional to bring the needed human/social services to children and families in an integrative manner. Professional educators are prepared to effectuate alliances between school and community settings to meet the comprehensive needs of children and their families.
Graduates are expected to emerge as empowered leaders who act with responsibility and accountability; this enhancement of their professional role should result in increased commitment and extraordinary practice.
Program Goals
The goals of the program are to:
- Provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to address the diverse academic, cultural, social, technological, economic, and health needs of students in educational settings.
- Provide the opportunity to acquire applied research skills, with an emphasis on technology.
- Enable participants to become familiar with best practices in education as documented in the professional literature.
- Prepare professional leaders who will serve in a variety of roles which bridge the school with community agencies, and to guide change in those settings.
- Equip professional educators to utilize technology in educational settings.
- Provide opportunities for teachers to advance in the profession to leadership roles in the schools.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be certified professional educators.
- Have completed a baccalaureate degree with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete a personal written statement.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended.
Program Description
The M.A. in Education program is a sequenced program (minimum of 38 credits) that allows students to choose from two areas.
M.A. in Education with an Emphasis in Special Education
| ED620 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 3 |
| ED623 | Assistive Technology Reading & Writing | 3 |
| ED625 | Assistive Technology for Individuals with Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
| ED627 | Assistive Technology Assessment | 3 |
| ED629 | Clinical Practice in Assistive Technology | 3 |
| ED659 | Behavioral Management of Students with Severe Special Needs | 3 |
| ED665 | Nature & Needs of Students with Educational Disabilities | 3 |
| ED671 | Curriculum, Instruction & Special Materials | 3 |
| ED675 | Community Agencies | 3 |
| ED677 | Action Research in Special Education | 3 |
| ED681 | Field Experience in Educational Technology | 3 |
| MC626 | Ethical Issues | 3 |
| PSY619 | Psychological Issues for Special Needs Population | 3 |
M.A. in Education with Initial Certification
This M.A. degree allows students who complete our initial Teacher Certification program (ACT 1) to matriculate into an M.A. program by selecting one of the other ACT choices. The options for this M.A. with Initial Certification are outlined below:
Option A (38 credits):
Completion of ACT 1 (22 credits) along with Early Childhood Endorsement (10 credits) plus 6 credits in Ethical Issues and Action Research
Option B (46 credits):
Completion of ACT 1 (22 credits) along with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (21 credits) and an Ethical Issues Course (3 credits)