Catalog

Master's Degrees

Department of Education

Dr. Barbara Kammerlohr, Chair, (650) 508-3627, bkammerlohr@ndnu.edu

Master’s degree programs in the Department of Education are designed to serve teachers, administrators, and other educators working with and on behalf of schools. Each master's program includes coursework, fieldwork, and mentoring in the areas of teaching, learning, technology, social justice, diversity, equity, and leadership.

Program Options:

Five possible master’s degree options are described below:

Articulation with Credential Programs

The School of Education offers students the possibility of enrolling concurrently in some masters and credential programs. Students enrolled in NDNU's credential programs have a unique opportunity to count up to twelve of their credential course units toward the M.A. in Education and the MAT degrees, significantly reducing the time and financial resources required to earn a degree. Recent graduates of NDNU's credential programs can also count twelve credential units toward either of these degrees. Contact Dr. Kim Tolley, Program Director, (650) 508-3464, ktolley@ndnu.edu, for additional information regarding this opportunity.

Master's Thesis and Capstone Project

Advanced studies are characterized by the reflexive integration of theory and practice. Each master's program culminates with a thesis or capstone project that integrates research, practice, and personal reflection. The type of project that is associated with each degree is noted in the program descriptions (e.g., thesis, teacher research portfolio, capstone statement). Each project invites students to demonstrate scholarly knowledge, skills, and habits of inquiry in the context of a particular area of expertise.

It is important to note that the required courses associated with each advanced degree program support students in the completion of their thesis or capstone projects. Through the thesis or capstone experience, students demonstrate their ability to ask thoughtful questions, collect information, analyze information, and reflect on issues regarding teaching, learning, and schooling that will enable them to improve their practice throughout their careers.

Instructions for preparing the thesis can be found in the Thesis Handbook available from the School of Education and Leadership office.

Admission Information

Students may apply to enter programs in the Department of Education for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters and should meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution
  • Undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal interview with the program director

Admission requirements vary by program.  Certain graduate programs may require an intial interview and/or test scores.  See the relevant Catalog sections or printed Program Brochures for program-specific requirements.

For details on admission processes, see Graduate Admission.

Master's Degrees

Master of Arts (MA) in Reading

Dr. Shadrack Msengi, Program Director, (650) 508-4154, smsengi@ndnu.edu

This degree program prepares students to teach in and administer reading programs in public and private schools. Building upon the Reading Specialist Credential, this program enables students to complete an additional three-unit course in order to earn a master’s degree. See the Reading Specialist Credential for the list of required courses.

In addition to coursework, a capstone project in the form of a practitioner researcher portfolio is required to complete the MA program. ED 358 is designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Courses Units
Reading Specialist Credential 30
ED358 Educational Research Capstone 3
Total   33

Master of Arts (MA) in School Administration

Dr. Diane Guay, Program Director, (650) 508-3702, dguay@ndnu.edu

This degree program prepares students to administer programs in public and private schools.  It approaches administration from a generic standpoint in the core courses and from an experiential base in the practica-based courses.  Building upon the Preliminary Administrative Credential, this program enables students to complete six additional units in order to earn a master's degree.

Candidate for the Master of Arts in School Administration complete the following:

Courses

                                   

Courses Units
Preliminary Administrative Credential 24
ED344 Trends in Curriculum Decelopment 3
ED345 Educational Assessment and Evaluation 3
Total   30

Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education

Dr. Nicole Ofiesh, Program Director, (650) 508-3627, nofiesh@ndnu.edu

This degree program prepares students to teach in special education programs in public and private schools. Building upon the Education Specialist Credential, this program enables students to complete an additional three-unit course in order to earn a master's degree. See the Education Specialist Credential for the list of required courses. Students who enter the program with a prior credential can complete their degree with 33 units. Additional coursework is required of students without a regular education credential.

In addition to coursework, a capstone project in the form of a practitioner researcher portfolio is required to complete the MA program. ED358 is designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Courses Units
Education Specialist Credential 30
ED358 Educational Research Capstone 3
Total for credentialed students 33
   
For students without a prior credential  
Education Specialist Credential 30
ED210 Psychological and Developmental Foundations 3
ED250 Sociological and Multicultural Foundations 3
ED331M Curriculum - Elementary Math 2
ED331Z Curriculum - Social Studies/Science 2
ED334B Elementary Reading/Language Arts: Upper Grades 3
ED358 Educational Research Capstone 3
Total for students without a prior credential 46

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Dr. Kim Tolley, Program Director, (650) 508-3464, ktolley@ndnu.edu

The School of Education and Leadership offers the MAT Degree in the following areas of emphasis: Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, History/Social Science, Mathematics, Music, Religious Studies, Theatre Arts, and Special Education.  The MAT program prepares students to serve as school- or district- level resource teachers in specific fields.  Individuals with a significant amount of knowledge and experience in a particular discipline may also be interested in this degree program in order to prepare themselves to teach in a private school or community college setting.

In addition to required courses, a master's thesis is required to complete the MAT program. ED359 and ED360 are designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Required Courses Units
ED359 Educational Research 3
ED360 Introduction to Educational Research 3
Four education electives, to be selected in collaboration with the program director 12
Four electives from the discipline of emphasis, to be selected in collaboration with the department chair in the discipline of emphasis 12
Total   30

Program-specific Admission Requirements

In addition to the basic requirements, applicants to the MAT Program must meet the following requirements:

  •   Valid Preliminary Multiple-Subject, Single-Subject, or Tier 1 Education Specialist credential or evidence of substantial teaching  experience in a private or charter school
  •   Undergraduate major or minor or substantial study in the area of emphasis
  •   CBEST and CSET examinations
  •   Interview with the Program Director in the area of emphasis

Master of Arts in Education

Dr. Kim Tolley, Program Director, (650) 508-3464, ktolley@ndnu.edu

There are two possible areas of emphasis in the Master of Arts in Education program: Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Technology.  Each emphasis includes a specific concentration of courses.  In each area of emphasis, a master's thesis is required to complete the degree program.  ED359 and ED360 are designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Curriculum and Instruction Emphasis

The goal of this program is to build the capacity of educators to engage in improved teaching practice, curriculum development, program planning, professional development, professional mentoring, and educational leadership.  Individuals with a significant amount of knowledge and experience in a particular discipline may also be interested in this degree program in order to prepare themselves to teach in a private school or community college setting.  The program includes coursework, fieldwork, and mentoring in the areas of teaching, learning, technology, social justice, diversity, equity, and leadership.  Once students are admitted, their advisors will assist them in designing plans that meet their personal and professional goals.

Required Courses Units
ED344 Trends in Curriculum Development 3
ED345 Educational Assessment and Evaluation 3
ED346 Social Justice, Diversity, and Equity 3
ED359 Educational Research 3
ED360 Introduction to Educational Research 3
One of the four graduate-level courses in educational technology:
ED362 Technology - Special Education  
ED394 Learning, Technology, and Curriculum 3
ED396 Media, Medium, and Method 3
ED397 Contemporary Topics in Technology Leadership 3
Four education electives, to be selected in collaboration with the program director 12
Total   30

Technology Emphasis

The Technology Emphasis program prepares educators to serve as school-and district-level educational leaders.  Building on the Certificate in Educational Technology, this emphasis pathway prepares educators to serve as school and district-level educational technology leaders.  Graduates of the Technology Emphasis program may work with the credential analyst in the School of Education and Leadership to apply for a supplementary authorization on their multiple subject or single subject teaching credential for computer applications.

Required Courses Units
ED359 Educational Research 3
ED360 Introduction to Educational Research 3
ED362 Technology and Special Education 3
ED394 Learning, Technology, and Curriculum 3
ED396 Media, Medium, and Method 3
ED397 Contemporary Topics in Technology Leadership 3
Four electives, to be selected in collaboration with the program director 12
Total   30

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

iIn addition to the basic requirements, applicants to the Master of Arts in Education program must meet the following requirements:

  • Valid Preliminary Multiple-Subject or Single-Subject Credential or evidence of substantial teaching experience in a private or charter school
  • CBEST and CSET examinations

 

 

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