Master of Science in Educational Studies

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

  1. A four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university
  2. Minimum of 8 undergraduate credit hours of social sciences/humanities
  3. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the junior and senior years of undergraduate work (based on A=4.00)
  4. Three letters of recommendation that address the academic and professional qualities that support you for graduate work
  5. Statement of Goals and Objectives (see below)
  6. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Statement of Goals and Objectives. As part of the application process, the applicant must respond to the following questions:

  1. Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.
  2. What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?
  3. What have you already done professionally or personally of which you are proud? Please include a chronological history of all professional teaching or administration experiences, as well as academic honors or achievements you have earned.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 32 credits, to include:

EFR 500Introduction to the Foundations of Education3
EFR 509Introduction to Applied Educational Research3
Foundations 16
Research Methods 26
Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership (HE, EDL or T&L)3
Cognate or Minor9
EFR 997Independent Study M Ed & M S2-4
or EFR 995 Scholarly Project
or EFR 998 Thesis
Total Credits32-34
1

EFR 500 is a prerequisite for all further foundations courses (EFR 501-508, EFR 525).


2

 EFR 509 is a prerequisite for all further research methods courses (EFR 510-524).

Required for all students, regardless of thesis or non-thesis:

  1. A minimum of 32 credits, including both credits required for the major and credits for the independent study, scholarly project or thesis.
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  3. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  4. The program may include the major and a non-EFR minor (a single discipline) or the major and a non-EFR cognate area (an interdisciplinary group of courses).

Thesis Option:

  1. Four credits for the Thesis (EFR 998)

  2. Preparation of a written thesis is approved by a committee of three faculty. The student’s advisor chairs the committee.

  3. Presentation and defense of the thesis takes place before the final report is sent to the School of Graduate Studies.

Independent Study/Scholarly Project Option:

  1. Two credits for the Independent Study (EFR 997) or Scholarly Project (EFR 995).

  2. Pass a written final comprehensive examination covering the major field and, at the advisor's discretion, any secondary fields.

  3. Preparation of a written independent study or scholarly project must be approved by the faculty advisor.

  4. Presentation of independent study or scholarly project takes place before the final report is sent to the School of Graduate Studies.