Master of Science in Education
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Office of Educational Outreach Program Information

186 High Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-7502
TDD: (207) 778-7000 Fax: (207) 778-8134
E-mail: valerie.soucie@maine.edu

Master of Science in Education Program

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Please read all information carefully before completing application materials. (You may want to print a copy of this information for ease of reading. Click here for printer friendly copy.)

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

This program received recent approval by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, and UMF is now requesting review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which already accredits UMF as a baccalaureate-level institution.  NEASC must approve UMF’s initiation of a new degree at the Master’s level.  This approval is likely in March.  Final accreditation would come within the next two years following a site review to assess UMF’s implementation of the new degree program.  However, applications are now open for the program to ensure a smooth review and decision process.

The UMF Master of Science in Education is a 36-credit degree program designed specifically for educators who wish to become exceptional 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 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, providing 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. 

The degree takes three years, including three summers, to complete.  It must be completed within five (5) years.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Program’s Philosophy

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.  The 36-credit program, including a 12-credit concentration, helps competent teachers become effective educational leaders.

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 and spirit.  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

Program 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.  Courses for the first two cohorts that will be admitted for Summer 2008 are currently scheduled as follows:

Summer 08

Fall 08

Spring 09

History, Philosophy & Ethics

Technology Integration 1
(0.5 cr. hr.)

Research Methods

Technology Integration 2
(0.5 cr. hr.)

Development & Planning of Curriculum & Assessment I

Technology Integration 3
(0.5 cr. hr.)

One Concentration Course

 

 

Summer 09 

Fall 09

Spring 10

 

Development & Planning of Curriculum & Assessment II

Technology Integration 4
(0.5 cr. hr.)

  

One Concentration Course

 

One Concentration Course

Summer 10

Fall 10

Spring 11

Cultivating Leadership

Technology Integration 5
(0.5 cr. hr.)

Field-Based Research I

Technology Integration 6
(0.5 cr. hr.)

Field-Based Research II

One Concentration Course

 

 

Core classes during the academic year will be offered 4:00-6:30 on selected week nights and on some Saturdays. Summer courses will require participation from late June through the first week of August.

Summer 2008 Schedule

June 2008

Monday

 

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
     

19

  

23

24

 

25

Section 1

HPE (8-4:30)1

 

26

Orientation

Section 1 & Section 2

27

 Admin (8-4:30)2

 

30

Literacy (9-12:30)3

Tech (9-12:30)4

        

July 2008
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

 

1

Section 2

HPE (8-4:30)

2

Section 1

HPE (8-4:30)

3

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

4

Holiday

 

7

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

8

Section 2

HPE (8-4:30)

9

Section 1

HPE (8-4:30)

10

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

Admin (8-4:30)

11

 

 

Admin (8-4:30)

14

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

15

Section 2

HPE (8-4:30)

16

Section 1

HPE (8-4:30)

17

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

18

 

21

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

22

Section 2

HPE (8-4:30)

23

Section 1

HPE (8-4:30)

24

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

Admin (8-4:30)

25

 

 

Admin (8-4:30)

28

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

29

Section 2

HPE (9-3:30)

30

Section 1

HPE (9-3:30)

31

Literacy (9-12:30)

Tech (9-12:30)

  

 

 1 EDU 581 History, Philosophy and Ethics of Education and EDU 580 Technology Integration

 2 Administration Concentration – EDU 551 Organizational Behavior and Change

3 Studies in Literature and Literacy Concentration

4 Educational Technology Concentration - EDU 568 Communication Tools for Teaching and Learning

 

 

 

 

ADMISSION

Admission decisions will be made once a year, with one new cohort beginning each summer.  The program will start with two cohorts (approximately 22 people in each cohort) in late June 2008.  Individuals accepted into a cohort commit to progressing and completing the program with their cohort.

Admission Requirements

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

  • have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
  • hold a valid teaching certificate;
  • be employed by a school district or other educational institution as a classroom teacher, special educator, educational technician, or assistant principal;
  • have 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

A Graduate Admission Committee will seek to admit a cohort mix of pre-K-12 teachers with diverse experiences and interests.  A concerted effort will be made to include a minimum of two teachers from a district in each cohort. 

The Graduate Admission Committee will review each application carefully, weighing several factors, including:

  • the quality of the admission essay;
  • all recommendations; 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). 

In addition, the Admission Committee will seek to balance each cohort by considering candidates’:

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

Application Deadline and Notification

 

Application deadline is March 15, 2008.
 

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, must be received in the Office of Educational Outreach by 4:00 p.m. March 15, 2008.  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 30. 

Completed Applications

Completed applications should be mailed to:  UMF Office of Educational Outreach, UMF Education Center, Room 010, 186 High Street, Farmington, ME 04938

Application Checklist

All applicants must submit all materials in the Application checklist for their applications to be considered.  Please print this checklist as a guide to completing the application packet.  Please do not fax or email the completed forms.

Application Forms

Application forms can be found online here, and saved to your hard drive for completion at your leisure. Or applicants can call the Office of Educational Outreach at 778-7213 to receive an application packet by mail.  Mail the completed forms to the Office of Educational Outreach.  Please do not fax or email the completed forms.

Application Fee

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

Address

Office of Educational Outreach
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 Office of Educational Outreach with any questions you might have: 

 

©2007 University of Maine at Farmington