Catalog

Master's Degrees

Dr. Nicole Ofiesh, Chair, (650) 508-3627, nofiesh@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 initial 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
EDU4880 Educational Research Capstone 3
Total   33

Master of Arts (MA) in School Administration
Dr. Nicholas Gennaro, Program Director, (650) 508-3710, ngennaro@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. Candidates for the Master of Arts in School Administration complete the following:

Courses

                                   

Courses Units
Preliminary Administrative Credential 24
EDU4700 Trends in Curriculum Development 3
EDU4703 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 Credentialfor 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. EDU4880 is designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Courses Units
Education Specialist Credential 30
EDU4880 Educational Research Capstone 3
Total for credentialed students 33
For students without a prior credential:  
Education Specialist Credential Coursework: 30
EDU4100 Psychological and Developmental Foundations 3
EDU4104 Sociological and Multicultural Foundations 3
EDU4333 Elementary Reading/Language Arts: Upper Grades 3
EDU4336 Curriculum: Elementary Math 2
EDU4339 Curriculum: Social Studies/Science 2
EDU4880 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 concentration: 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. EDU4724 and EDU4721 are designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Required Courses Units
EDU4721 Introduction to Educational Research 3
EDU4754 Educational Research 3
Four education electives, to be selected in collaboration with the program director 12
Four electives from the discipline of concentration, to be selected in collaboration with the department chair in the discipline of concentration 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 concentration
  •   CBEST and CSET examinations
  •   Interview with the Program Director in the area of concentration

Master of Arts in Education

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

There are two possible areas of concentration in the Master of Arts in Education program: Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Technology.  Each concentration includes a specific group of four core courses.  In each concentration, a master's thesis is required to complete the degree program. EDU4724 and EDU4721 are designed to support students in completing this requirement.

Curriculum and Instruction Concentration

The goal of this concentration 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
EDU4700 Trends in Curriculum Development 3
EDU4703 Educational Assessment and Evaluation 3
EDU4706 Social Justice, Diversity, and Equity 3
EDU4721 Introduction to Educational Research 3
EDU4724 Educational Research 3
One of the four graduate-level courses in educational technology:
EDU4207 Technology - Special Education (3)  
EDU4709 Learning, Technology, and Curriculum (3)  
EDU4715 Media, Medium, and Method (3)  
EDU4718 Contemporary Topics in Technology Leadership (3)  
Four education electives, to be selected in collaboration with the program director 12
Total   30

Educational Technology Concentration

The Educational Technology concentration prepares educators to serve as school-and district-level educational leaders.  The four core courses in this pathway prepare educators to serve as school and district-level educational technology leaders.  Graduates of the Educational Technology concentration 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
EDU4207 Technology and Special Education 3
EDU4709 Learning, Technology, and Curriculum 3
EDU4715 Media, Medium, and Method 3
EDU4718 Contemporary Topics in Technology Leadership 3
EDU4721 Introduction to Educational Research 3
EDU4724 Educational Research 3
Four electives, to be selected in collaboration with the program director 12
Total   30

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In 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
Undergraduate EDU Course Descriptions
Graduate & Certificate EDU Course Descriptions