The Saint Vincent College Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction focuses on three critical elements of learning: curriculum, instruction and assessment. Candidates will investigate various frameworks and programs of curriculum design; explore methods of making instruction meaningful to all students; and evaluate diagnostic and assessment strategies and products for use in their school or workplace. This program provides a strong research component allowing students to document need and propose change. Emphasis will be placed on developing instructional leaders who will be resources to their schools, districts and work sites in developing and implementing needed changes and improvements. Professionals in education, business, health care or human services will develop the abilities necessary to assume leadership roles in stimulating, planning, managing and evaluating educational change. The program can be individualized to the candidates’ needs and candidates can earn their initial Pennsylvania teaching certification in the desired area while completing graduate courses.
Goals
• To provide an advanced and
individualized program of study designed for school, business, health care and
human services professionals.
• To provide opportunities for
in-depth study and investigation of recent research, emergent knowledge, and
current trends and issues concerning educational policies, practices, and
regulations.
• To prepare professionals in education,
business, health care, and human services endeavors, to assume leadership roles
in stimulation, planning, managing, and evaluation educational change.
Courses Required for Master in Curriculum and Instruction (30 credits):
GCED 600 Educational Leadership and Professional Development - 3 credits
GCED 605 Statistics and Research Design - 3 credits
GCED 610 Current Issues and Trends - 3 credits
GCED 615 Curriculum and Systems Design - 3 credits
GCED 620 Assessment and Diagnostics - 3 credits
GCED 625 Instructional Technology - 3 credits
GCED 635 Instructional Methodology - 3 credits
Three electives - 9 credits (electives can include any graduate education course not listed above)
Course Descriptions
Sequence and Scheduling
The Curriculum and Instruction
Master’s degree is designed to be an accelerated 30-credit hours that can be
completed in approximately 18 months inclusive of seven required courses and
three elective courses. The courses are offered one night per week, between the hours of 6 and 10 pm and one Saturday per course. Each full semester has two accelerated 7-week sessions. Thus, students can take two courses per term
while being on campus one evening per week. At the close of the coursework, a
comprehensive exam is required. The exam is offered each term, allowing graduation
each term.
Regular Admission
Possess an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.
- Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. For a GPA lower than 3.0, applicants will be reviewed for provisional acceptance.
- Send three recommendations to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.
- Personal statement explaining your desire to obtain a graduate degree.
- Completed Application for Graduate Admission in Education.
Provisional Acceptance
If a student does not meet the above requirements for regular admission to the graduate programs in education, consideration will be given for acceptance on a provisional basis. The student will be required to maintain a 3.75 GPA over the course of completing three graduate classes. If the student is able to maintain a 3.75 grade point average he/she will be reviewed for regular admission. A student within this status will not be allowed to take more than 9 credits of graduate coursework. If the student is not able to maintain a 3.75 GPA after completing 9 credits of graduate coursework, regular admission will be denied. The provisional acceptance will still allow a student to qualify for financial aid if needed.
Graduate Non-Degree Status
If a student does not want acceptance to a graduate program but would like to register for graduate classes the student may apply as a graduate non-degree seeking student. This allows the student to register for up to 9 graduate credits without applying or being accepted to a program. In order to register under this status a student must complete the graduate non-degree application and submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. Once this information is received the student will be contacted regarding registration for classes. A student within this status is not eligible for financial aid.
**The Graduate Non-Degree Status also serves the student who decides to apply to a program right before the semester begins without ample time to complete the application. The student can begin taking classes as a Graduate Non-Degree student while completing the application for admission.**
Combining an Initial
Pennsylvania Teaching Certification
with a Master of Science In Curriculum and Instruction:
“Masters-Cert” Students
Candidates may earn
certification in a specialty
area
ED
101 or ED 207 Observation and Interaction Lab/Practicum in Education 1 credit
ED 205 Strategies and Techniques
of Instruction 2 credits
ED 206 Field Experience
II: Strategies and Techniques of Instruction 1 credit
PY 290 Psychology and Education for the Exceptional Student* 3 credits
PY 115 Educational Psychology 3 credits
ED 208 Classroom Partnerships
and Inclusion* 3 credits
ED 390 Teaching Nonnative and Culturally Diverse Students* 3 credits
Additional Early Childhood, Middle Grade, K-12, or Secondary methods, fieldwork, and/or content courses will be specific
to each applicant depending on prior coursework.
*see advisor, course may be substituted with a similar graduate course offering
Pennsylvania
K-12 Curriculum and Supervision Certification
Veteran
teachers and educational professionals with five or more years of experience
can add Pennsylvania K-12 Curriculum Supervisor certification to their degree
by meeting the PA Department of Education required nine (9) credits* in special
education, three (3) credits* in English language learners (ELL) and one (1)
additional required course GCED 680 Supervision of Instruction. Additionally, three credits of internship in
Curriculum Supervision (GCAD 676, GCAD 686 and, GCAD 696) are required. A
competency evaluation criteria is used to ensure that all students complete 360
hours in the field and have sufficient experience in K-12 Curriculum
Supervision. Students take an additional six (6) credits to the 30 credits in
Curriculum and Instruction and the Praxis exam: Educational Leadership:
Administration and Supervision.
GCED 680 Supervision of Instruction 3 credits
GCAD 676 Internship in School
Administration: Fall Term 1 credit
GCAD 686 Internship in School
Administration: Spring Term 1 credit
GCAD 696 Internship in School
Administration: Summer Term 1 credit
* Undergraduate
credits and/or graduate credits can be counted toward the PDE requirement of
nine credits in special education and three credits in ELL. If candidates have not
already taken them, Saint Vincent College offers them at the graduate level, they
can be taken while earning K-12 Curriculum Supervision Certification.
Saint
Vincent College has announced that it will offer graduate courses in education
at Freeport Senior High School beginning March 11, 2013.
The
first course, Current Issues and Trends, will meet from 6 to 10 p.m. for
seven weeks on six Monday evenings and one
Saturday, April 20. Registration is now underway and will close on Feb. 15.
Registration is limited to keep class size small. Custom, part-time, and other
programs are also available.
The
Freeport courses are designed to give Butler and Armstrong County residents an
opportunity to pursue individual classes or a master’s degree in curriculum and
instruction that are part of Saint Vincent College’s high quality educational
program in a convenient schedule and format. Freeport Senior High School is
conveniently located at 621 South Pike Road, Sarver (Buffalo Township) with
good access and parking.
Further
details are available by contacting the Office of Graduate and Continuing
Education at 724 805-2933 or gradadmission@stvincent.edu.