Master of Science in Education Program

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in the University of Maine at Farmington’s Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) degree.

This program is approved by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which also accredits UMF as a baccalaureate-level institution.  Furthermore, it will undergo review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  Final accreditation will come from NEASC and NCATE within the next two years following a site visit to assess UMF’s implementation of the new degree program. 

The UMF Master of Science in Education is a 36-credit degree program designed specifically for educators who wish to become leaders in their classrooms, schools, districts, or other educational settings, including early childhood centers.  It is delivered in a cohort format.  Participants join a cohort and complete the 24-credit core program with members of their cohort.  The core program focuses on field-based research, defined as action research to contribute to school improvement in the classroom, the school, or the district. Three of the eight core courses provide training to develop and implement a research project relevant to ones professional interests and needs of the district.

The remaining 12 graduate credits will be earned through elective courses in a concentration. Up to 12 graduate credits, taken within the last five (5) years from a regionally accredited higher educational institution, may be transferred into the program as part of a concentration.  Applicants must have earned a B (3.0) or better in any course that is transferred into a concentration.

Concentrations in educational technology, administration (assistant principal), and studies in literacy and literature will be offered.  Some participants may choose to develop an individually designed concentration, based upon a written rationale for the grouping of 12 credits.  These courses may be taken in one specific area, or may address content in multiple areas.  Participants must articulate a sense of cohesion for the ways in which the courses in a self-designed concentration support the development of effective educational leadership. 

Educational Technology Concentration

The technology revolution has touched all aspects of teaching and administration in today’s schools. As a result, educators must keep up with this rapidly changing environment and make informed choices among an ever-expanding array of technology resources. UMF’s educational technology concentration is designed to help students explore and understand the use and integration of technology in educational settings.

Students will develop knowledge and skills for:

• Using technology to enhance teaching and learning;
• Applying emerging technologies to the creation of educational media;
• Participating in decision making about adoption of educational technology applications;
• Communicating with local and global audiences using appropriate technologies; and
• Training and coaching others in the application of technology in the classroom.
  

UMF’s educational technology concentration is based on the standards set forth by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for both students and teachers. The four courses in this concentration currently are:

• Communication Tools for Teaching and Learning;
• Information Tools for Teaching and Learning;
• Media Literacy; and
• Technology as a Change Agent.

Administration Concentration

This concentration consists of the three courses needed for Maine certification for assistant principal, and the additional finance course required for principal certification. In addition to these courses, individuals seeking these certifications will need to work with the MDOE certification office to prove skills and knowledge in several other areas. As part of the advising process, UMF will provide individuals interested in this concentration with a matrix demonstrating how they can meet these additional requirements through the core coursework of UMF’s M.S.Ed program.

The four courses in this concentration are:

• EDU 550 School Law for Educators
• EDU 551 Organizational Behavior and Change
• EDU 552 Supervision and Evaluation of School Personnel
• EDU 553 School Finance for Principals

Studies in Literature and Literacy Concentration

The Studies in Literature and Literacy Concentration in the Master of Science in Education program at the University of Maine at Farmington is comprised of a rotating selection of courses that will complement each other. This concentration is appropriate for teachers of any level and focus who are interested in their students’ reading and writing development and habits. Throughout the program, teachers will experience courses focusing on both literature and literacy in the four courses they take in this concentration.

Students accepted into Cohorts I & II (Summer 2008) will begin this concentration with EDU 540 A Close Look at Fairy Tales: What Disney Didn’t Tell You. Future courses with a literature focus in this concentration may include titles such as Poetry and Performance, Young Adult Literature, and Shakespeare for Teachers.

In addition, teachers in this concentration in future years will look broadly at topics in literacy education in such possible courses as Reading and writing in the Content Areas for Grades 4-12, Writing and the Teaching of Writing, Vocabulary and Comprehension Development, and Literacy in the Integrated Curriculum.

Self-Designed Concentration

Individuals wishing to design their own 12 graduate credit concentration must prepare a brief justification for their concentration. It must include the following:

1. Your focus of interest, detailed to cover relevant experience;.
2. How this concentration contributes to your knowledge and skills as an exceptional educational leader, i.e. include specific areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment or administration; and.
3. The specific courses you wish to transfer into the program, and/or additional courses you will want to take to address this concentration.
   

The degree takes three years, including three summers, to complete.  It must be completed within five years.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The University of Maine at Farmington’s Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) degree contributes to the intellectual and professional growth of practicing educators through a challenging and supportive course of study that respects and builds upon participants' experiences in the field.  The cohesive student-centered program models excellence in education through rigorous coursework and faculty mentoring of research and practice. 

Guiding Principles of the Program

The M.S.Ed. program is built upon a belief that exceptional educational leaders exhibit and practice four specific habits of mind.  They are:

Visionary Leadership:  Exceptional educational leaders recognize that educational systems arise from political and historical contexts.  Working with this knowledge, educators demonstrate moral leadership that values diversity.  Diversity is defined as differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, exceptionalities, language, religion, sexual orientation, and geographical area.  Leaders articulate their vision of quality education and create positive change.  They:

• Understand politics and systems;
• Practice moral leadership;
• Respect the value of diversity;
• Create shared visions for learning;
• Lead for results.

Supportive Educational Cultures:  Exceptional educational leaders understand that a variety of factors influence educational cultures.  They examine cultures from the perspective of students, faculty, families, and local and global communities.  Exceptional leaders seek out and honor a wide diversity of voices in order to create change in a climate of respect.  They:

• Build a climate of respect among staff and students;
• Create positive change while sustaining effective practices;
• Collaborate with families and communities.

Continuous Professional Growth:   Exceptional educational leaders understand that cultivating professional growth is essential.  Leaders foster dialogue and support collaborative forums for reflection and learning.  Leaders create and participate in professional learning communities that promote innovation in education.  They:

• Cultivate leadership in the educational environment;
• Encourage continual investigation of practice;
• Support professional learning communities.

Theory into Practice:  Exceptional educational leaders understand the dialogic relationship between theory and practice.  They challenge themselves and others to support innovation and promote best instructional practice.  They:

• Develop a critical stance;
• Differentiate curriculum and assessment for all learners;
• Challenge themselves and others.

COURSES AND SCHEDULE

The M.S.Ed degree will take three years, including three summers, to complete.  The program begins with a new cohort in June of each year.

Summer Year One                                                                                                                          
   Last week of June
            Orientation Day (June 19)
            EDU 581 History, Philosophy & Ethics (3 cr.)
            EDU 580 Technology Integration (.5 cr.)
            Concentration 1
            Administration concentration course
            Literacy concentration course
            Technology concentration course
    Completed by July 31
                                   
Fall Year One
   Day after Labor day
            EDU 582 Research Methods (3 cr.)
            EDU 580 Technology Integration (.5 cr.)         
   Third week of December Finals week

Spring Year One
   Day after MLK birthday
            EDU 583 Development and Planning of Curriculum and Assessment I (3 cr.)
            EDU 580 Technology Integration (.5 cr.)
   Second week of May Finals Week

Summer Year Two
   Last week of June
            Concentration 2
            Administration concentration course
            Literacy concentration course
            Technology concentration course
 Completed by end of July

Fall Year Two
   Day after Labor day
            EDU 584 Development and Planning of Curriculum and Assessment II (3 cr.)
            EDU 580 Technology Integration (.5 cr.)
Third week of December Finals week

Spring Year Two
   Day after MLK birthday
            Concentration 3
            Administration concentration course
            Literacy concentration course
            Technology concentration course
   Second week of May Finals Week

Summer Year Three
   Last week of June
            EDU 585 Cultivating Leadership (3 cr.)
            Concentration 4
            Administration concentration course
            Literacy concentration course
            Technology concentration course
  Completed by end of July

Fall Year Three
  Day after Labor day
            EDU 586 Field-based Research I (3 cr.)
            EDU 580 Technology Integration (.5 cr.), last of six modules.
  Third week of December Finals week

Spring Year Three
  Day after MLK birthday
            EDU 586 Field-based Research II (3 cr.)
  Second week of May Finals Week
  Commencement end of second week of May

Core classes during the academic year will be offered 4:00-7:00 on selected week nights and on some Saturdays. Summer courses will require participation from late June through the end of July. Classes are typically 8:00-4:30 Monday-Thursday. Some courses may be scheduled on Saturdays.

ADMISSION

Admission decisions will be made once a year, with one new cohort beginning each summer.  Individuals accepted into a cohort commit to progressing and completing the program with their cohort. Where personal or employment issues are beyond the control of the student, exceptions may be made by the assistant dean.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to UMF's M.S.Ed program must have:

• earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
• a valid teaching certificate;
• employment by a school district or other educational institution as a classroom teacher, special educator, educational technician, or assistant principal. Where changes in employment occur, exceptions may be made by the assistant dean.
• taught a minimum of two years by the time they enter the program. Application can be made during one’s second year of full-time employment as a teacher/educator.

Admission Decisions

The admission goals are to admit a cohort mix of pre-K-12 teachers with diverse experiences and interests.  

Each applicant will be reviewed for:

• the quality of the admission essay, i.e. technically correct, coherent, relevant to current issues and generally interesting;
• all recommendationswhich should address effectiveness as a teacher, potential for leadership and collaborative skills; and
• official undergraduate and graduate transcripts (3.0 or a grade of B or better must be recorded for any graduate course to be transferred into a concentration). 

Other admission considerations will include:

• volunteer and leadership experiences;
• number of years of teaching experience; and
• teaching grade level.

Application Deadline and Notification

 

Application deadline is March 15, 2009.
 

All materials, including the application form and accompanying essay, as well as transcripts and references arriving from sources other than the applicant, and the application fee (for 2009 the application fee is waived), must be received in the M.S. Ed. Program office by 4:00 p.m. March 15, 2009.  An email will be sent to each applicant when the application has been received, indicating receipt of application and listing any incomplete materials.  It is the responsibility of prospective students to ensure that their applications are completed by the deadline.

A letter explaining admission decisions will be mailed no later than April 15. 

Completed Applications

Completed applications should be mailed to:  M.S. Ed. Program, UMF Education Center, Room 010, 186 High Street, Farmington, ME 04938

Applications may also be emailed to umfmasters@maine.edu

Application Forms

Application forms can be found online here.

The application fee ($60) must accompany your completed application.  Your application is not considered complete until the application fee is received. For 2009 the application fee is waived.

If emailing your application, send your check directly via USPS to:

M.S. Ed. Program
UMF Education Center, Room 010
186 High Street
Farmington, ME 04938

Questions/Guidance

As you prepare your application materials, please feel free to contact the M.S.Ed Program Office with any questions you might have: 

• Dr. Philip A. Griswold, Assistant Dean: 778-7066; pgriswold@maine.edu
• Jackie Dennis, Administrative Assistant: 778-7213; umfmasters@maine.edu