College of Education

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Graduate, Teacher Certification, Endorsement and Approval Programs in Education

Graduate Programs in Education

The graduate program of the College of Education offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree (36 credits), the Master of Education (M.Ed) degree (33 credits) in educational administration and supervision, and the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree (30 credits). A function of the graduate program is to develop teacher leaders and researchers by providing opportunities for academic preparation and professional renewal. The M.A.T. program increases elementary and secondary teachers’ knowledge and understanding of the learning process and enhance their repertoire of teaching methods and skills. In addition, the M.A.T. programs offer teachers the opportunity to increase their competence in various subject area specializations. The M.Ed. programs provide a theoretical background and practical experiences in school leadership with the major emphasis on educational administration and supervision. The Ed.S. Program provides a planned program of graduate skills beyond the master’s degree. It is designed to enhance the academic knowledge and skills of educational leaders.

Teacher Certification (Post Baccalaureate)

The SVSU College of Education offers a traditional and accelerated teacher preparation program (ACE) for post-baccalaureate students who wish to complete university and state requirements to obtain a Michigan teaching certificate at the elementary level (grade K-8) and at the secondary level (grades 7-12 or K-12). All interested candidates for either the traditional program or the ACE program must attend an informational seminar prior to scheduling an appointment with a certification advisor in the College of Education. The seminar dates are available online at http://www.svsu.edu/partnership/title2/ace/. Please contact the College of Education Admissions and Certification Office for additional information.

Endorsement, Certificate, and Approval Programs

Early Childhood (ZA endorsement), Emotionally Impaired, Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Impairment, Reading Education, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary certificate level endorsements are combined with the Master of Arts in Teaching degree programs. Students seeking an endorsement in one of these areas must apply to the corresponding master’s degree program. Most course work taken for the endorsement is applicable toward the completion of the M.A.T. degree program. Students must consult with their faculty advisor for complete program details.

The SVSU College of Education offers other opportunities for certified teachers to obtain additional endorsements and special education administration approval programs for Director of Special Education and Supervisor of Special Education. Course work is also available for certified teachers who prefer not to enter a master’s or endorsement program but need to fulfill requirements for certificate renewal and/or advanced certification. Interested students should contact the College of Education Admissions and Certification Office to schedule an appointment with a certification advisor.

Graduate Programs in Education

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and Associated Endorsements

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

General Admissions Policies and Procedures

1. A student must have earned an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 from a regionally accredited college or university. A student with a 2.00 to 3.00 cumulative GPA or a graduate from a non-accredited college or university may be admitted on a probationary status by the Dean of the College of Education. The Master of Arts degree in Instructional Technology requires a 2.75 or higher.
2. A maximum of nine transfer credits from a regionally-accredited college or university may be applied to a graduate degree program. A grade of “B” or higher must have been earned in each transfer course.
3. A student who has already completed a master’s degree at SVSU, or another institution, may not transfer any credits that were used toward his/her first master’s degree. Courses may not be duplicated. The advisor, department chair and the dean must approve all course substitutions.
4. Any SVSU graduate student who, for seven consecutive semesters (including summer), has not been enrolled in the College of Education must apply for readmission. A readmitted student is subject to all regulations and requirements for the current catalog at the time of his/her readmission.
5. Since degree programs are often highly structured, it is strongly advised that a graduate student apply for admission to a specific degree program no later than the completion of nine credits of graduate course work to avoid loss of credit for courses that do not fit into a program structure. Credits will apply only if they meet proper departmental requirements at SVSU.
6. Each student will be assigned to an advisor in the appropriate department in the College of Education upon admission to a specific program. A student admitted to the M.A.T. — Academic Major Program in Secondary Education will also be assigned to an advisor from the appropriate subject area department.

Admissions Requirements

Interested candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher and have obtained teacher certification in the State of Michigan, or have an out-of-state teaching certificate recognized by the State of Michigan must apply and be admitted to SVSU to be eligible to register for classes.

Applicants must submit an application packet which includes the following materials:

1. Application
2. $25.00 non-refundable application fee
3. Transcripts from every college or university where college credit was earned. Transcripts must be issued by the college or university in a sealed envelope and attached to the application. Applicants who have completed credit at SVSU do not need to submit a copy of their SVSU transcript. However, they will be required to request a new set of transcripts from other colleges/universities where they earned credit to ensure that the College of Education has the complete academic history on file for admissions and state certification purposes. These transcripts must be issued by the college or university in a sealed envelope and be attached to the application.
4. A photocopy (front only) of the most recent teaching certificate. If an out-of-state teaching certificate was obtained, a photocopy of the certificate should be submitted.
5. International student applicants seeking admission to a master’s degree in education must complete the Application for Admission and the International Student Supplemental Application for Graduate Admission. The application for admission and instructions for applying are located online at www.svsu.edu/coe/admissions.cfm .

Students seeking a first bachelor’s or second bachelor’s degree in education must contact the SVSU Undergraduate Admissions Office (1st floor, Wickes Hall) at (989) 964-4200 or www.svsu.edu for application materials. Questions or concerns may be directed to the SVSU College of Education Admissions and Certification Office at (989) 964-4057 or (800) 968-2540 (option #3) Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Non-Teaching Certified Applicants

Interested candidates who have never completed a preparation program for teacher certification and are seeking admission to a Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Education Degree Program are required to obtain written approval from the appropriate department chair or faculty advisor prior to submitting an application for admission to the graduate program. Candidates must complete the “Request for Admission” form and submit it to the department chair or faculty advisor for review. If the approval is granted, a photocopy of the signed document must be included in the application packet.

Applicants who are currently completing a teacher preparation program at SVSU or another approved teacher preparation program and want to apply for an advanced certification or master’s degree program do not complete the “Request for Admission” form. Applicants must meet the following conditions before submitting an application packet to be considered for admission.

1. All required course work requirements must be complete at the time of application.
2. All required state testing (MTTC) must be complete and passed at the time of application.
3. Applicant must be enrolled and successfully completing their final semester of student teaching.

Applicants should be aware that Michigan Department of Education policy stipulates that course work taken before the issuance of their provisional certificate is not applicable toward the credit hours required for renewal of the provisional certificate or the Professional Education Certificate.

Applicants with a Criminal Conviction

Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or have any outstanding criminal charges or warrants pending in Michigan or any other state or jurisdiction, will be required to submit a photocopy of the actual court documents indicating the crime of which they were convicted, and dates and sentences imposed with their application materials. If criminal charges are pending, applicants will be required to submit a statement from the issuing court indicating court date and offense. Students who have been convicted of (or pleaded no contest to) a felony will be required to meet with the Dean or Assistant Dean of the College of Education and the Chair of the Admissions and Review Committee before their application for admission will be considered. It is strongly recommended that students schedule an appointment with the Dean or Assistant Dean prior to applying for admission and bring their application and court documents (as stated above) to their scheduled meeting.

SVSU has the right to deny admission or dismiss any applicant who has been convicted of any felony or one of the following misdemeanors:

1. Criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree
2. Attempt to commit criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree
3. Child abuse in the third or fourth degree or an attempt to commit child abuse in the third or fourth degree
4. Cruelty, torture, or indecent exposure involving a child
5. Delivery of a narcotic to a minor or student or to any person within 1000 feet of school property
6. Breaking and entering
7. Accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for immoral purposes
8. Assault; assault and battery
9. Assault; infliction of a serious injury
10. Any conviction judged relevant by SVSU or the Michigan Department of Education

Admission Disclaimer

Admission to the SVSU College of Education does not guarantee certification by the State of Michigan. The SVSU College of Education cannot guarantee approval of any recommendation made to the State of Michigan for any type of certification. Final approval of a recommendation made by SVSU is granted only by the Michigan Department of Education based on their policies and procedures in place at the time the recommendation for certification is made.

Program Requirements

1. All credits and requirements toward a master’s degree, including transfer credits, must be completed within seven (7) years prior to the date on which the degree is to be conferred. SVSU credits remain valid for a maximum of seven (7) years. Transfer credits are valid for seven (7) years from the time the course was taken, not from the time of transfer.
2. Each student must maintain a minimum of a 3.00 GPA in graduate study. Only grades of “A,” “B” or “C” may be certified toward graduation.
3. Whenever a GPA drops below a 3.00, or a student receives two “C” grades in the program, the student will be placed on academic probation. A student on probation must have records reviewed by a departmental committee. Continuation in the program and graduation will depend upon the recommendation of that committee and the approval of the Dean of the College of Education.
4. Courses taken as continuing education units (CEUs) may not count toward a master’s degree unless the course is endorsed for college credit in advance of advertisement by the corresponding department and by the Dean of the College of Education.
5. A maximum of six (6) credits for TE 509 courses may count toward the degree.
6. A maximum of six (6) credits of independent study may count toward the degree.
7. Each student may be required to submit a set of assessments to an electronic portfolio storage system. Contact a program advisor for specific information.
8. Each student must successfully complete a designated “capstone” course or thesis option during his/her last six credits of graduate study.
9. Graduation from the program requires successful completion of the “capstone” course and/or thesis option, and that each graduate student submit an application for graduation to facilitate a degree audit and a review of GPA.

Program Management

1. The maximum course load for any person employed full-time is 6 credits, or 2 courses during Fall and Winter semesters.
2. Completion of the program will not necessarily qualify a student for a teaching or administrative certificate.
3. The MAT is available with a major emphasis in the academic major of biology. Course work in the major (15 credits of 400-500 level courses) must be planned with the academic advisor in the biology department. Courses that have not been approved will not satisfy graduation requirements. A written plan of study must be on file in the College of Education.
4. The MAT is available with a major emphasis in the academic major of chemistry. Course work in the major (15 credits of 400-500 level courses) must be planned with the academic advisor in the chemistry department. Courses that have not been approved will not satisfy graduation requirements. A written plan of study must be on file in the College of Education. All courses listed under Chemical Education are open to undergraduate chemistry majors (with the consent of the instructor) but do not satisfy the 400-level course requirement for a degree in chemistry; however, such courses would count toward the required 42 credits of upper division work.
5. The MAT is available with a major emphasis in the academic major of English. Course work in the major (15 credits of 400-500 level courses) must be planned with the academic advisor in the English department. Courses that have not been approved will not satisfy graduation requirements. A written plan of study must be on file in the College of Education.
6. The MAT is available with a major emphasis in the academic major of mathematics. Course work in the major (15 credits of 400-500 level courses) must be planned with the academic advisor in the mathematics department. Courses that have not been approved will not satisfy graduation requirements. A written plan of study must be on file in the College of Education.
7. The MAT is available with a major emphasis in the academic major of physics. Course work in the major (15 credits of 400-500 level courses) must be planned with the academic advisor in the physics department. Candidates without a B.S. degree in physics are recommended to choose courses from the following: PHYS 400, 401, 402; any 500-level course. Courses that have not been approved will not satisfy graduation requirements. A written plan of study must be on file in the College of Education.
8. Each degree candidate must file a written application, accompanied by the $30 graduation fee, in the SVSU Registrar’s Office. All documentation and official transcripts of transferred credits must be on file in the Registrar’s Office at the time the application is submitted. SVSU graduates students three times a year, at the end of Fall Semester (December Commencement), at the end of Winter Semester (May Commencement), and at the end of Summer Semester (August Commencement).

If a degree audit indicates that a candidate is not ready to graduate, the candidate is not eligible for commencement and the application is made inactive. Late applications or missing documentation may cause the candidate to be moved to a later graduation date. The graduation application deadline dates are available online at www.svsu.edu/registrar .

Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Programs and Associated Endorsements

The major function of this graduate program is to provide opportunities for academic preparation and professional renewal for practicing educators. The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) graduate degree program increases elementary and secondary teachers’ knowledge and understanding of the learning process and their repertoire of teaching methods and skills.

The M.A.T. offers teachers the opportunity to increase their competence in various subject area specializations. These specializations include Adapted Physical Education, Elementary Classroom Teaching, Middle Level Classroom Teaching, Secondary Classroom Teaching, Early Childhood Education, Reading Education (K-12), Special Education, and Natural Science.

Early Childhood (ZA endorsement), Emotionally Impaired, Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Impairment, Reading Education, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary certificate level endorsements are combined with the Master of Arts in Teaching degree programs. Students seeking an endorsement in one of these areas must apply to the corresponding master’s degree program. Most course work taken for the endorsement is applicable toward the completion of the M.A.T. degree program.

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