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Master of Education (MEd.) Program Requirements

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Faculty

  • Peggy Cain, Program Director

View Master of Education Courses Admission to the Master of Education Program

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a flexible degree enabling educators and future educators to develop their expertise in an area of interest. Students develop skills in the methods of teaching and deepen their understanding of crucial “why” questions in educational practice. Students research an area of interest through action research or a qualitative research project in order to improve their own practice as educators and contribute to the wider field of education.

Philosophy Statement

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program at Westminster University is committed to improving education through meaningful inquiry and innovative exploration of the connections between educational practice, values, and local/national/global contexts for learning. We emphasize a strong foundation in theory and active and engaged learning that incorporates students’ experiences.

The standards of the curriculum reflect the School of Education’s commitment to provide a well-rounded education congruent with the needs of master teachers and other instructional professionals. These standards include:

Facilitating learning: Students demonstrate foundational understandings of how people learn and demonstrate their skill at facilitating learning in a classroom, other teaching/learning setting, and/or through the creation of environments conducive to learning.

Research: Students will plan projects, search relevant professional databases, collect data through interviews and other applicable methods, analyze data, and complete and disseminate findings.

Critical thinking: Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts, events, and other positions, before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.

Creativity: Students will combine or synthesize new ideas, practices, or expertise in original ways that are characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.

Collaboration: Students will will demonstrate self-awareness, understanding of effective group dynamics, and project management skills.

Communication: Students will communicate ideas to audiences in oral, visual, and written forms to establish knowledge, to increase understanding, or to advocate for a particular position.

Global Responsibility: Students will (a) employ practices informed by social responsibility across the spectrum of differences and (b) demonstrate knowledge of and evaluate solutions for, educational challenges affecting local, regional, and global communities.

Program Description

Those teaching adults or administering educational programs for adults may earn an Adult Learning Certificate. This coursework can emphasize higher education, corporate training and workplace learning, continuing professional education, educational policy-making, and other related areas.

Trauma, Resilience, and Restorative Justice track is valuable for any education-related professional who seeks to understand the impacts of trauma on people and how institutions can utilize restorative practices to create effective and healing learning environments.

Licensed K-12 educators can enhance their teaching effectiveness with an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language. Coursework for all endorsements and certificates taken for graduate credit counts toward an M.Ed.

Note: Should the Utah State Board of Education change its requirements for teaching endorsements, the Master of Education requirements will change accordingly.

Classes in the M.Ed. program provide active, hands-on opportunities to learn and connect course work to students’ teaching or work settings.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 32 credit hours is required for graduation. A maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level transcripted credit may be accepted from another accredited college or university. The accepted coursework must fall within the guidelines of Westminster’s Graduate Program in Education.

Although a minimum of 32 credit hours is required, students may desire, or need to complete, additional hours to enhance their graduate degree. Planning this graduate degree program is the responsibility of students in collaboration with their advisors.

Certain Master of Business Administration courses may meet graduate education program requirements. Students should consult with their education advisors for specific information and refer to the MBA sections of this catalog for course descriptions.

Retention in the Program

School of Education courses may only be repeated once.

The student must:

  • Design and file an acceptable program plan with the Director of the Master of Education program.
  • Maintain a grade point average of 3.00. Courses in which a grade of C- or lower is awarded do not count toward graduation requirements. A grade of C- or lower in two courses will result in dismissal from the program. School of Education courses may only be repeated once; a grade of C- or lower on the retake will result in dismissal from the program. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.
  • Complete the program within six years, or begin to lose credit for courses older than six years.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for graduation should apply to the Registrar’s Office approximately two regular semesters prior to planned completion of graduation requirements. Applications for December graduation are due in March and applications for May and August graduation are due in September. Please see the Academic Calendar for more specific dates. Candidates are notified of remaining degree requirements within four weeks after applying for graduation.

To be eligible for a master’s degree or graduate certificate, students must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Meet all credit hour and other course requirements.
  • Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.
  • Be enrolled at Westminster University during the semester in which they wish to graduate.
  • Maintain good academic standing.
  • Earn a grade of C or higher in all graduate courses.

Note: Only graduate-level coursework may be applied toward degree or certificate requirements. The final responsibility for being informed about, and adhering to, graduation requirements rests with the student.

Program Structure

Students have multiple curricular options in the M.Ed. program. Graduation from the degree program requires a minimum of 32 credit hours for any option.

Graduate Certificate in Teaching Adult and Higher Education

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Required Courses 9  
MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning 3  
MED 634 Teaching Adults 3  
MED 666 or
MACOL 622		 Online Teaching and Learning or
Program Planning and Evaluation		 3  
Total Hours for the Graduate Certificate in Adult and Higher Education 9  

Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Multilingual Learners

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Required Courses 15  
MED 620 Multilingual Learners, Family, and Community 3  
MED 622 Language Acquisition 3  
MED 623 Instructional Methods for Multilingual Learners 3  
MED 624 Content Instruction for Multilingual Learners 3  
MED 625 Assessment for Multilingual Learners 3  
Total Hours for the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Multilingual Learners 15  

Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Responsive Education

The Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Responsive Education requires 9 graduate semester hours.

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Required Certificate Courses 9  
MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma 3  
MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools 3  
MED 641 or
MED 642		 Restorative Justice in Schools or
Foundations of Restorative Justice		 3  
Total Hours for the Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Responsive Education 9  

Master of Education

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Core Course 3  

MED 610 or

MED 670

Sociocultural Contexts for Learning or

Adult Ed Foundations & Futures		 3  
II. Elective Courses 21  
Students may choose classes from the following:
MED 608 Special Topics 3  
MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning 3  
MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning 3  
MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics 3  
MED 620 Multilingual Learners, Family, and Community 3  
MED 621 Foundations of Multilingual Education 3  
MED 622 Language Acquisition and Development 3  
MED 630 Children’s/Adolescent Literature 3  
MED 634 Teaching Adults 3  
MED 635 Adult Ed Program Planning & Evaluation 3  
MED 652 Globalization of Education 3  
MED 653 Indigenous Knowledge and Lifeways 3 consent of instructor
MED 660 Directed Studies 1–3 consent of instructor
MED 661 Corporate Training & Workplace Learning 3  
MED 665 Educational research Extension 1  
MED 666 Serious Gaming and Gamification 3  
MED 667 Online Teaching and Leadership 3  
MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma 3  
MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools 3  
MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools 3  
MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice 3  
MED 673 Internship/Teaching Practicum 1-3  
MACOL 622 Program Planning & Evaluation 3  
III. Project 8  
MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods 2 consent of instructor
MED 679 Research Methodologies 3 MED 650
MED 680 Research Project 3 MED 679
Total Hours for the Master of Education 32  

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement with Master of Education

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 18  
This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and a bachelor’s degree, and are seeking to become qualified to be a TESOL teacher at the elementary or secondary level. Students must be admitted to the MED program.
MED 620 Multilingual Learners, Family, and Community 3  
MED 621 Foundations of Multilingual Education 3  
MED 622 Language Acquisition and Development 3  
MED 623 Instructional Methods for Multilingual Language Learners 3 MED 622 as pre or co-requisite
MED 624 Content Instruction for Multilingual Language Learners 3 MED 622
MED 625 Assessment for Multilingual Language Learners 3 MED 622
II. Core Course 3  

MED 610 or

MED 670

Sociocultural Contexts for Learning or

Adult Ed Foundations & Futures		 3  
III. Elective Course 3  
Students may choose classes from the following:
MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning 3  
MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning 3  
MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics 3  
MED 630 Literature and Info Texts K-12 3  
MED 634 Teaching Adults 3  
MED 635 Adult Ed Program Planning and Evaluation 3  
MED 652 Globalization of Education 3  
MED 653 Indigenous Knowledge and Lifeways 3  
MED 660 Directed Studies 1–3  
MED 665 Educational Research Extension 1  
MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma 3  
MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools 3  
MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools 3  
MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice 3  
MACOL 622 Program Planning and Evaluation 3  
IV. Project 8  
MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods 2 consent of instructor
MED 679 Research Methodologies 3 MED 650
MED 680 Research Project 3 MED 679
Total Hours for the Teaching English as a Second Language Endorsement with Master of Education 32  

Recommended Plan of Study for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement with Master of Education

Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
Year 1 MED 620
MED 621		 MED 622
MED 623		 MED 650
Elective
Year 2 MED 679
MED 624
MED 625		 MED 680
MED 610		  

Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of Master of Education

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Adult Learning Certificate (ALC) 15  
This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and are seeking to become qualified as specialists with a broad knowledge of adult learning. This is particularly suited to those in educational or training positions who work directly with adults. Students must be admitted to the MED program.
MED 670 Adult Education Foundations and Futures 3  
MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning and Development 3  
MED 634 Teaching Adults 3  

MED 635 or

MACOL 622

Adult Education Program Planning and Evaluation or

Program Planning and Evaluation		 3  
MED 667 Online Teaching and Learning 3  
II. Elective Courses 9  
Students may choose classes from the following:    
MED 608 Special Topics 3  
MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning 3  
MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics 3  
MED 622 Language Acquisition and Development 3  
MED 652 Globalization of Education 3  
MED 653 Indigenous Knowledges & Lifeways 3  
MED 660 Directed Studies 1–3 consent of instructor
MED 661 Corporate Training & Workplace Learning 3  
MED 665 Educational Research Extension 1  
MED 666 Serious Gaming and Gamification 3  
MED 667 Online Teaching and Learning 3  
MED 668 Instructional Design Foundations 3  
MED 673 Internship/Teaching Practicum 1-3  
MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma 3  
MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools 3  
MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools 3  
MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice 3  
III. Project 8  
MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods 2 consent of instructor
MED 679 Research Methodologies 3 MED 650
MED 680 Research Project 3 MED 679
Total Hours for the Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of Master of Education 32  

Recommended Plan of Study for Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of Master of Education

Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
Year 1 MED 613
MACOL 622		 MED 634
MED 670		 MED 667
MED 650
1 elective
Year 2 MED 679
1 elective		 MED 680
1 elective		  

Trauma, Resilience, and Restorative Justice followed by completion of Master of Education

Requirement Description Credit Hours Prerequisites
I. Trauma and Restorative Justice Core 15  
This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified as specialists within educational settings with expertise in trauma and restorative practices. Students must be admitted to the MED program.
MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma 3  
MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools 3  

MED 641 or

MED 642

Restorative Justice in Schools or

Foundations of Restorative Justice		 3  
MED 643 Research in Risk and Resilience 3  
MED 644 Arts and Movement for Trauma 2  
MED 645 Self-Care for Secondary Trauma 1  
II. Elective Courses 9  
Students may choose classes from the following:
MED 608 Special Topics 3  
MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning 3  
MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics 3  
MED 653 Indigenous Knowledges & Lifeways 3  
MED 660 Directed Studies 1–3 consent of instructor
MED 665 Educational Research Extension 1  
MED 673 Internship/Teaching Practicum 1-3  
MED 647 Juvenile Justice 3  
MED 648 Advocacy Under the Dome 3  
MED 646 Writing for Trauma Healing 1  
MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools 3  
MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice 3  
MED 649 Community Justice 3  
MED 638 Justice in Everyday Life 3  
MACOL 618 Facilitation & Negotiation 1  
MACOL 622 Program Planning and Evaluation 3  
MACOL 624 Leadership, Conflict and Change 2  
MPH 530 Principles of Epidemiology 3  
MPH 630 Statistical Methods in Public Health 3  
III. Project 8  
MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods 2 consent of instructor
MED 679 Research Methodologies 3 MED 650
MED 680 Research Project 3 MED 679
Total Hours for the Trauma, Resilience and Restorative Justice followed by completion of Master of Education 32