Off-Campus Education Programs

Transcription

1 Student Information Packet Thank you for your interest in Concordia University Texas off-campus Master s degree programs. We are pleased to bring our convenient, one-night-a-week graduate programs to your local area (initial certification program meets two nights per week). Space in each cohort is limited to 22 students. Once you submit your application and application fee, (Steps 1 & 2 below), I will be able to hold your place in class until your application file is complete. This packet includes all of the information that you will need to be admitted into the program. Read through this packet carefully, and be sure to contact me if you have any questions. My team and I are committed to guiding you through the application process. Choosing where to go to graduate school is an important step, and I want to help you in any way that I can. You can reach me by phone at (800) or by at khamlin@graduateprogram.org. Note: Concordia University strictly limits class size to 22 students and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Complete steps 1 & 2 below to reserve your seat in this program. Apply online at for faster processing. 1 2 Application (Pages 3-5) Submit your application online or complete pages 3-5 and return by fax to Application Fee (Page 6) Use our secure payment center to submit your application fee online or complete page 6 and return by fax to Once you have reserved your seat, turn to Page 2 or visit the online checklist to complete the remaining admission steps. Congratulations on your pursuit of a Master s degree with Concordia University Texas! Sincerely, Karastin Hamlin Graduate Information Office (800) khamlin@graduateprogram.org 1

2 Application Checklist for Admission Once you have reserved your seat, please continue with the following steps to complete your admission file. Note: You will not be eligible for financial aid until your admission file is complete. Transcripts (Page 7) 3 4 Official Transcripts are required from your degree-granting institution(s) and any stand-alone master s level coursework. For initial certification program, we require transcripts from all institutions you have attended. Official, sealed transcripts are required to become fully admitted to Concordia University Texas. Financial Aid & Payment Options (Pages 9 & 10) Determine how you plan to pay for the program: Financial Aid or Pay-As-You-Go. If using Financial Aid, Complete the FAFSA online. For more information, see page 9. It is in your best interest to complete the financial aid process as early as possible. If using a Pay-As-You-Go plan, follow the instructions on Page Reference Forms The easiest and fastest way to request a recommendation is to use our online system. This will allow us to reference forms directly to your recommender on your behalf. You will need to submit references from your Current Supervisor, a Second Current or a Former Supervisor and a Professional Educator. If you enter this information on your application, we will submit the online recommendation request for you. Teaching Certificate Concordia University Texas will obtain a copy of your teaching certificate online at the TEA website as long as it is available in the database. If we have any difficulties obtaining a copy of your teaching certificate, a staff member will contact you. This step is not required for the Initial Teacher Certification or Sports Administration programs. Please Note: Completing these steps does not guarantee full admission to Concordia University Texas. To confirm your registration, payment must be made by the Payment Deadline. Payment options include Financial Aid (See page 9) or Payment Plan or Payment in Full (See page 10). Graduate tuition is $540 per credit hour for the Summer 2015 and Fall 2015 semesters. Completing your application steps online at will allow for more immediate processing of your application. If you choose to submit paper forms for any of the steps above, documents should be faxed or mailed to: Fax: (800) Mail: Concordia University Texas, Office of Admissions Processing Concordia University Drive Austin, Texas

3 Application for Graduate Admission (Page 1 of 3) First Name: Middle Name: Last Name: Preferred Name: Maiden Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip Code: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone: Primary Address: Personal Information (Information regarding race, ethnicity, or religion is voluntary and will be used in a nondiscriminatory manner, consistent with applicable civil rights laws.) Citizenship: U.S. Citizen U.S. Permanent Resident Non-citizen Marital Status: Single Married Divorced Widowed Separated Religious Affiliation (optional): Date of Birth: Gender: Male Female Ethnicity (check all that apply): American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian Black or African-American Hispanic or Latino or Spanish origin of any race Other Race/Ethnicity unknown White Social Security Number: Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Yes No An applicant who answers yes will need to submit additional information. The College reserves the ultimate decision on acceptance or rejection of any application. Applicants should also be aware that an individual with a felony conviction may not be able to obtain licensure in certain professions. Have you ever been expelled and/or dismissed from another college or university for disciplinary reasons? Yes No Will you be under 22 years of age at the start of class? Yes No (If yes, please review Immunization Information on Page 5) Choose your Program and Location: Program Specialization: Summer 2015 Locations: M.Ed. in Advanced Literacy Instruction Online M.Ed. in Educational Administration Garland Principal Certification Only Plano Reading Specialist Certification Only M.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction M.Ed. in Special Education Fall 2015 Locations: M.Ed. in Sports Administration (only available online) Online North Dallas M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction w/teacher Certification South Dallas Content Area (see Page 16): Waco Summer 2015 Fall 2015 Round Rock Locations South Austin Austin - Concordia North Lamar University Center Northside San Antonio - TBD North East San Antonio Concordia University Texas Arlington - DFW Center Optional - I would like to attend the same cohort as my friend/colleague: How did you hear about us? 3

4 Application for Graduate Admission (Page 2 of 3) Education Information What is the highest degree you have attained? Bachelors Masters Post Masters Ph.D. Ed.D. Are you the first person in your family to attend graduate school? Yes No Is your undergraduate GPA above 2.5?* Yes No Undergraduate GPA: *Please note that if your undergraduate cumulative GPA is less than 2.5, you will be required to complete your admissions file and submit additional documentation by the application deadline for further review. Please list the college or university where you obtained your baccalaureate degree. We require an official transcript from your degree granting institution. An official transcript is one that comes directly from the institution of record. College or University Attended: City, State: Degree Awarded: Work and Community Church Information (If you do not currently attend a church, this section can be skipped): Church Affiliation: Church Address: City State: Experience: Are you currently employed? Full Time Part Time Not Currently Employed Have Never Been Employed Employer: Position Title: City: State: Does your employer provide tuition reimbursement? Yes No Do you have a family member currently attending CTX? Yes No If Yes, First Name: Last Name: How are you related? Financial Aid: Will you be applying for financial aid? Yes No If Yes, please complete the following information: State of Legal Residence: County of Residence: Have you been a resident of Texas for the past 12 months? Yes No Please list any grants or awards that you may already have, including both private and direct consumer loans: Are you pursuing your first teaching certificate? Yes No Are you currently working as a teacher? Yes No Do you have plans to pursue the TEACH Grant? Yes No Do you work in a Lutheran school? Yes No Recommenders Three letters of recommendation are required to be completed by the following: Current Supervisor, Second Current or Former Supervisor, and a Professional Educator. Concordia University Texas will these references for you based on the details you complete below. If you are not able to complete this information at the time of submitting your application forms, the graduate information office will contact you for these details at a later date. 1) First Name: Last Name: 2) First Name: Last Name: 3) First Name: Last Name: 4

5 Application for Graduate Admission (Page 3 of 3) Signature and Confirmation Student Financial Consideration Signature: By signing this application, I certify that: 1) The information submitted on all financial assistance documents is true to the best of my knowledge and that any changes to my financial situation including application for private or direct-to-consumer educational loans will be reported to the Office of Student Financial Services. 2) I do not owe a refund on any grant or loan. I am not in Default on any loan or have made satisfactory arrangements to repay any defaulted loan, and have not borrowed in excess of the loan limits, under Title IV programs, at any institution. 3) I will use Title IV (Federal) money received only for expenses related to my study at Concordia University Texas. If I choose to withdraw, I will immediately inform Student Financial Services of my decision. 4) The Office of Student Financial Services of Concordia University Texas has my permission to discuss my financial assistance documents with, and provide necessary academic information to, public or recognized private agencies considering me for financial assistance. In addition, I acknowledge that any grants or loans that may be awarded to me will be credited to my tuition account via an Electronic Funds Transfer system. 5) I authorize Concordia University Texas to satisfy current year charges for tuition, fees, room and board, and additional charges incurred for educationally related activities with the financial aid award I have accepted and understand that one semester s financial aid may be used to cover a prior or future semester within the same award year. I also authorize Concordia University Texas to pay for minor prior-year charges if necessary including educationally related activities other than tuition, fees, room and board up to $200. Immunization Information A new state law went into effect October 1, 2013, that requires ALL new students under the age of 22 to show proof of meningococcal vaccination within the last 5 years. In order to register for classes, all students under the age of 22 must submit one of the following compliance documents: - a vaccination certificate, - a doctor s note exempting the student due to health risks, - or an exemption affidavit due to reasons of conscience (found at exemption affidavit.) Applicant s Signature: Upon acceptance into the Master s of Education program, I authorize Concordia University Texas to register me for the entire two year cohort. I also understand that as long as I am enrolled I am financially responsible for the cost of my classes and will receive a bill each semester. Withdrawal Information: I understand that to withdraw from the program I am required to notify the Graduate Information Office. If I do not notify the Graduate Information Office I will still receive a bill. I understand that if I officially withdraw before the first night of class, 100% tuition will be refunded. If I officially withdraw after the first night of class, but before the second night of class, 75% of the tuition will be refunded. If I officially withdraw after the second class session, then zero percent of the tuition will be refunded Applicant s Signature: Date: Applicants to Concordia University Texas are admitted entirely on the basis of their academic and character qualifications and without reference to national origin, creed, age, religion, sex, or disability. The University reserves the right to deny admission to any prospective or former students who have criminal records including any conviction of a felony, offenses involving moral turpitude, or other offenses of a serious nature. The Federal Student Right to Know Act (FERPA) requires Concordia University Texas to make available upon request the Institution s completion or graduation rates of its full-time, degree-seeking students, as well as information concerning security policies and crime statistics. Students who are interested in receiving this information may call the Registrar s Office at during business hours. 5

6 Application Fee Payment Form Please use the following form to submit your $50 non-refundable application fee. Fax completed form to (800) TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD: If you prefer, please contact the Graduate Information Office at to pay your fee by credit card over the phone. Student Name Name on Card Cardholder Address Street Address City State Zip Card Type Visa MasterCard Discover Amount: $50.00 Card Number Expiration Date CCV# Cardholder Signature Date Telephone Number of Payee (in case there is a problem processing the transaction and we need to contact the cardholder for additional information) Note: Transaction will appear on your credit card statement as a charge from the K-12 Teachers Alliance. TO PAY BY CHECK: Please make checks payable to Concordia University Texas and mail your check to Concordia University Texas, Attn: Office of Admissions Processing, Concordia University Drive, Austin, Texas Student Name Today s Date I will be sending my Application Fee by check on (Date): Signature 6

7 How to Request Official Transcripts Concordia University Texas requires official transcripts from your degree-granting institution(s) and any standalone Master s coursework. For initial certification program, we require transcripts from all institutions you have attended. If you have copies of your transcripts available, they can be submitted as unofficial transcripts to expedite the seat reservation process; however, official sealed transcripts are required in order to be considered for admission to Concordia University Texas. Follow the steps below to request transcripts from each school that you attended. TO ORDER TRANSCRIPTS: There are multiple ways to request transcripts, and each college or university will have their own process. Typically, the easiest way to order official transcripts is: 1) Contact the Registrar s office at your previously attended school, either by phone, , or through your university s website. 2) Submit a transcript request following that school s procedures. Most colleges and universities require a signature or other official request in writing. Many schools have a Transcript Request Form available to download on the Registrar s website. Some will allow you to order transcripts online. Note: Most colleges and universities charge a small fee for official transcripts. Be sure to enclose your fee with your transcript request to avoid a delay in processing. 3) It can often take several days for a transcript request to be processed. When your transcripts are received, the Graduate Information Office will contact you, but if you have not received confirmation within 14 days, please contact us at (800) Please have all official transcripts sent to: CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS Office of Admissions Processing Concordia University Drive Austin, TX For electronic transcripts, send directly to: admissions@concordia.edu Remember: A final admission decision cannot be made until all official transcripts are received. 7

8 Transfer Credit Consideration Form Please complete this form ONLY if you are seeking to transfer credit from graduate coursework into this program and meet the following criteria: Graduate-level courses from other institutions submitted after starting this program will not be considered for transfer credit. A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate-level credit will be transferred. Coursework must have been taken within the last three (3) years prior to admission to Concordia University Texas M.Ed. program. The student must have earned a grade of B or better in the courses considered for transfer credit. Coursework transferred in must equate to coursework required in Concordia University Texas M.Ed. program as evaluated by the College of Education. The student must select a Concordia University Texas course he/she believes is an equivalent course based on course descriptions found in the Concordia University Texas catalog on the university s website at Schedules, Calendar, Catalog PLEASE NOTE: You must submit detailed course descriptions and/or course syllabi along with this form. Actual credit for courses will not be awarded until your official, sealed transcripts are received along with course descriptions, and you are fully accepted to the university. Transfer credit consideration will not be granted after the admission deadline. After submission of this form, please anticipate a two-week turnaround time for results. , Fax or Mail this form, along with copies of your graduate transcript(s) and course descriptions/syllabi, to: admissions@concordia.edu Mail: Concordia University Texas, Office of Admissions Processing Concordia University Drive, Austin, Texas Name: Last First Middle Phone: Address: Program for which you are applying: Off-campus cohort location: Name and Course Number from Previous University Concordia University Texas Equivalent Course If you are requesting evaluation of more than two courses please include the name, course number, previous university name, and the equivalent Concordia University Texas course name on a separate page and attach to this request. Please note: a maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate level course work will transfer. Signature Statement: I, the undersigned, wish to request a review of my graduate coursework, understanding no coursework over five years will be considered, reflected on my transcript(s) from: Name of Institution Name of Institution Student Signature Years Attended Years Attended Date 8

9 Financial Aid Information Complete all steps below to apply for financial aid. Note: There are financial aid options that are not based on need. Most students in the off-campus programs use financial aid to pay for the program. We recommend that you complete these steps as soon as possible to make sure that your payment arrangements are in order by the first night of class. If you will be applying for financial aid, all items must be completed by the admissions deadline. Federal financial aid is not available for students seeking a certificate only program. Students not seeking a master s degree and who only want to enroll in certificate preparation courses (Principal Certification, Reading Certification, Superintendent Certification), can obtain information about private loans from the graduate information office. For help, please contact the Graduate Information Office at (800) How to Apply for Financial Aid Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at Students starting in Summer 2015 and Fall 2015 file the FAFSA; you will need your 2013 Federal Tax Return, your PIN, and Concordia University Texas s School Code (003557). Graduate students are considered independent for financial aid purposes. Step 2: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. You will receive this form 7-10 days after the FAFSA is submitted. If there are any errors on your SAR, log back into your FAFSA to make corrections. Step 3: Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note. Entrance Counseling is only required for first time Federal Direct Loan borrowers; all borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note. Both can be completed at (you will need your PIN from Step 1). Step 4: You will receive your financial aid award letter from Concordia University Texas via your Student MyInfo Portal. This lists the financial aid that you qualify for. If you wish to decline all or a portion of the award, notify the Financial Aid Office through your MyInfo Student Account. Be sure to contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions about your award. Questions? Contact the Graduate Information Office at (800) Federal Loan Requirements To be eligible to borrow funds under the Federal Stafford Loan Program, you must: 1) File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 2) Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident 3) Not be in default on prior educational loans 4) Maintain satisfactory academic progress 5) Be accepted and enrolled in a degree program* NOTE: Provided you have completed all financial aid paperwork in a timely manner, Concordia University Texas will generally receive your financial aid funds after the start of your first course each semester. We will apply those funds towards any outstanding charges for the term, and if there is a credit balance (money left over), we will then issue a refund to you. The Accounting Office has two weeks to process refunds for students after Concordia University Texas receives the funds. Student financial aid is reviewed and determined based on current and former financial aid. While most students may qualify for financial aid, some may not if they have outstanding student loans, or have limited funding due to former loan amounts. *Certificate only students are not eligible to receive financial aid but can obtain information about private loans from the Graduate Admissions Office. THE TEACH GRANT: The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 a year in grant assistance to students who are completing coursework towards certain high-need fields. In order to be eligible for a grant, a student must submit a FAFSA, sign an Agreement to Serve as a full-time teacher at certain low-income schools and within certain high-need fields for at least four academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which the candidate received a grant. Concordia University Texas certifies your eligibility for the TEACH Grant. The TEACH Grant converts to an unsubsidized Direct Loan if the student fails to fulfil any part of his or her obligation. This loan, plus interest, must be repaid. For more information and to complete an Agreement to Serve (ATS) form, visit THE FEDERAL (TITLE ONE) TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM: If you and your school qualify, this program may provide loan forgiveness for eligible Federal Stafford Loans. This is a separate program requiring separate forms and processes. Concordia University Texas is not responsible to verify your eligibility for this program. Please do not base your enrollment on this program, as it can be difficult to ensure qualification for government programs which are subject to reform and funding changes. You must call FED-AID to verify your eligibility or visit for more information. 9

10 Payment Plan Information Payment or payment arrangements must be made by the Payment Deadline. Each semester contains two 8-week courses. All options for tuition payments are listed below. Federal Student Loans are also available for graduate students. HOW TO ENROLL IN A PAYMENT PLAN 1. Payment Plan Annual and Semester payment plans are available through Sallie Mae for all students for a nominal enrollment fee. Annual plans are designed to cover 3 semesters of charges over the entire academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) and eliminate the need to renew the plan and pay a separate fee each semester. Semester plans are best suited for those not planning on being enrolled for the entire academic year. For your convenience, each plan has options for payment on the 1st or 15th of the month. Visit to enroll in a plan prior to TBD for Summer and Fall Programs. 2. Payment per Courses If you choose this option, your payment for 3 credit hours must be received by Concordia University Texas before TBD for Summer and Fall Programs. Please note: for the Teacher Certification Program, you will be enrolled in two classes, therefore, your payment will be for 3 credit hours. Registration will be cancelled for all students with an outstanding account balance as of 5pm on the payment deadline. a. Pay Online Using the payment gateway you can pay your tuition via credit card, debit card, checking or savings account 24 hours, 7 days per week. Access the gateway at then click the online payments button. b. Pay by Mail Mail your payments to: Concordia University Texas ATTN: Accounting Office Concordia University Dr. Austin, Texas (Payment must reach the accounting office no later than the payment deadline.) Questions? Contact the Graduate Information Office by Phone: Important: We will work with students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employers. These arrangements must be set up before the start of each term. Please contact the Graduate Information Office at for more information. If you pay the full semester tuition via cash, check, or money order, you are eligible for a 2% discount on your semester tuition. 10

11 Recommendation Process As part of your application process, three professional references are required from the following: Current Supervisor (example: the principal at your school) Second Current Supervisor (example: the assistant principal at your school) A Professional Educator (example: another teacher at your school) Notice: If you are an Educational Administration specialization student, your current administrator should complete one recommendation. This gives him or her the opportunity to authorize you to participate in the practicum under his or her supervision. This authorization is required prior to the practicum. Students seeking initial teacher certification or Sports Administration may provide references from outside the education field. HOW TO COMPLETE THE RECOMMENDATIONS: Step One Step Two Step Three Step Four If you have not already done so, login to your Concordia University Texas application and select the recommenders tab. Complete the required fields, which includes your name and address and the names and addresses of the people you have asked to complete the recommendations. Once you submit this information, an auto-generated will be sent to the people you have asked to complete the recommendations. They will be asked to complete the electronic recommendation form. Once the electronic recommendation form is submitted, it will electronically be sent to Concordia University Texas. A staff member will stay in contact with you during the application process to inform you when an electronic recommendation is received. Note: If you did not submit the contact information for your three professional references along with your paper application, the graduate information office will contact you for this information. Once they receive details from you, an online reference form will be made available to you and your recommenders. Questions? Contact: Karastin Hamlin Graduate Information Office Phone: khamlin@graduateprogram.org Fax:

12 M.Ed. in Educational Administration For: Educators who wish to display all the skills necessary to be successful administrators at private or public schools. You must hold a valid state teaching certificate and have one full year of experience as a teacher of record in your own classroom. What you learn: The graduate program prepares students for leadership in the educational arena. This specialization prepares students to sit for the state Principal Certification Exam (TExES). How you learn: Face-to-Face: This is a cohort program. You will take one course at a time, attending class one night a week from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in 6 semesters. A 16 week practicum is required. Online: This program is an online cohort. Face-to-face meetings are not required. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in six semesters. A 16 week practicum is required. Career Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and be prepared to sit for the state Principal Certification Exam (TExES). ILD/PDAS certifications included. Degree Plan: MED 5303 Curriculum Design and Practice 3 MED 5309 Differentiated Instruction & Learning Theory 3 MED 5308 Ethics & Leadership in Education 3 MED 5305 The Classroom Teacher as Researcher 3 CAI 5323 Evaluation & Assessment in Education 3 CAI 5322 Legal Foundations of Education 3 EDAD 5351 Principal as Diversity Leader 3 EDAD 5352 Principal as Resource Leader 3 EDAD 5353 Principal as Professional Development Leader & Continuing Education Leader (Practicum) EDAD 5354 Principal as Compliance Officer (Practicum) 3 Total Credit Hours: 30 3 Please Note: While the chart above lists each of the courses that make up the M.Ed. degree for informational purposes, this is not an official class schedule, and is subject to change. Courses highlighted in gray are the eight graduate education courses taken by students enrolled in the Principal Certification Only program. A student who previously earned a Master s in Education degree may be required to take fewer courses to complete the Principal Certificate Only program. Practicum fee for Ed. Admin program is $

13 M.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction For: Educators who recognize diverse classrooms require a new method of instruction that adapts in relation to the individual student s needs. The goal of this speciality is to empower educators with practical knowledge to apply modified instruction as needed in specific cases in the classroom. What you learn: The program provides educators with a sequence of courses that imparts knowledge and practical guidelines on how to adjust instruction in specific cases for students who need modifications in the classroom. The courses focus on meeting the unique needs of all students, including special education students. The practices learned as a part of this program can also apply to students who are unmotivated due to other issues, such as their home environment or socio-economic concerns. How you learn: Face-to-Face: This is a cohort program. You will take one course at a time, attending class one night a week from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in six semesters. You will complete an action research report in lieu of a thesis. Online: This program is an online cohort. Face-to-face meetings are not required. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in six semesters. You will complete an action research report in lieu of a thesis. Career Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Education degree in Differentiated Instruction. Degree Plan: MED 5309 Differentiated Instruction & Learning Theory 3 MED 5308 Ethics & Leadership in Education 3 MED 5303 Curriculum Design and Practice 3 MED 5305 The Classroom Teacher as Researcher 3 DIFN 5311 Introduction to the Exceptional Learner 3 DIFN 5312 Language and Intercultural Communication Issues 3 DIFN 5313 Teaching and Assessment Strategies for the Exceptional Learner 3 DIFN 5314 Consultation and Collaboration for Exceptional Learners 3 DIFN 5315 Introduction to Gifted & Talented Learners 3 CAI 5330 Action Research 3 Total Credit Hours: 30 Please Note: While the chart above lists each of the courses that make up the M.Ed. degree for informational purposes, this is not an official class schedule, and is subject to change. 13

14 M.Ed. in Special Education For: Certified teachers who wish to earn a Masters degree with training leading to Special Education certification in the state of Texas. What you learn: The student will take a rigorous and robust sequence of courses, developed and taught by experienced instructors and designed to fully equip the student to facilitate as well as lead a class or an entire program in the instruction of the exceptional child. All aspects of exceptionality as well as the latest developments in Special Education Law and technology will be explored. The program will also fully prepare the student to take the exam for special education certification in the state of Texas. How you learn: Face-to-Face: This is a cohort program. You will take one course at a time, attending class one night a week from 5:00 to 9:00pm. Every semester you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule you will finish the program in five semesters. You will complete an action research report in lieu of a thesis. Online: This is an online cohort. Face-to-face meetings are not required. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in five semesters. You will complete an action research report in lieu of a thesis. Career Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Education degree in Special Education. Degree Plan: MED 5303 Curriculum Design 3 MED 5308 Ethics & Leadership in Education 3 MED 5309 Learning Theory & Differentiation 3 XXX Action Research 3 SPED xxxx Critical Issues in Special Education 3 SPED xxxx Consideration of Diverse Cultures in Special Education 3 SPED xxxx Teaching & Assessment Strategies for the Exceptional Child 3 SPED xxxx Consultation & Collaboration for the Exceptional Learner 3 SPED xxxx Special Education Law 3 SPED xxxx Facilitation of Special Education Programs (16 weeks) 3 Total Credit Hours: 30 Please Note: While the chart above lists each of the courses that make up the M.Ed. degree for informational purposes, this is not an official class schedule, and is subject to change. 14

15 M.Ed. in Sports Administration For: Individuals that hold a Bachelor s degree and wish to expand their knowledge of sports administration and leadership. What you learn: The Concordia Master of Education in Sports Administration degree is designed to develop practitioners to lead sports programs or enterprises with integrity, fairness, and competence. Whether an individual has a career goal of high school athletic director, university coach, or fitness center manager/owner, the courses within this program will help develop the skills necessary for such leadership positions. How you learn: Online: This program is an online cohort. Face-to-face meetings are not required. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in six semesters. You will complete an action research report in lieu of a thesis. Career Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Education degree in Sports Administration. Degree Plan: MED 5305 Research Design 3 MED 5308 Ethics & Leadership in Sports Administration 3 MED 5311 Law in Sports Administration 3 MED 5310 Organizational Behavior in Sports 3 CAI 5330 Action Research 3 SPAD 5301 Critical Issues/Events in Sports 3 SPAD 5302 Human Resources 3 SPAD 5303 Finance 3 SPAD 5304 Facilities/Event Planning 3 SPAD 5305 Media/Marketing 3 Total Credit Hours: 30 Please Note: While the chart above lists each of the courses that make up the M.Ed. degree for informational purposes, this is not an official class schedule, and is subject to change. 15

16 M.Ed. in Advanced Literacy Instruction For: Educators who wish to enhance their teaching skills and focus on meeting the reading needs of all learners in grades K-12. You must hold a valid state teaching certificate and have one year of experience as a teacher of record in your own classroom. What you learn: The graduate program prepares teachers for literacy instruction at early childhood, elementary, middle school or high school levels, which leads to becoming Texas certified as a reading specialist after passing the TExES # 151 Reading Specialist Exam. How you learn: Face-to-Face: This is a cohort program. You will take one course at a time, attending class one night a week from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in six semesters. A 16 week case study is required. Online: This program is an online cohort. Face-to-face meetings are not required. Every semester, you will complete two 8 week courses. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in six semesters. A 16 week case study is required. Career Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Education degree in Advanced Literacy Instruction and be prepared to sit for the TExES # 151 Reading Specialist Exam. Degree Plan: MED 5309 Differentiated Instruction & Learning Theory 3 MED 5308 Ethics & Leadership in Education 3 MED 5303 Curriculum Design and Practice 3 MED 5305 The Classroom Teacher as Researcher 3 LTC 5330 Language Acquisition and Emergent Literacy 3 LTC 5333 Literature and Literacy 3 LTC 5338 Reading and Literacy Programs 3 LTC 5331 Reading and Writing across the Curriculum 3 LTC 5339 Evaluation and Diagnosis of Literacy Needs 3 LTC 5336 Literacy Improvement and Remediation-Case Study 3 Total Credit Hours: 30 Please Note: While the chart above lists each of the courses that make up the M.Ed. degree for informational purposes, this is not an official class schedule, and is subject to change. Courses highlighted in gray are the six graduate reading courses taken by students enrolled in the Reading Certification Only program. When all these requirements have been successfully satisfied, Concordia University Texas can approve the student for the state Reading Specialist Certification exam. Once the student passes the state Reading Specialist exam and applies to TEA for the certification, Concordia University Texas will recommend the student to TEA for the Reading Specialist certification. 16

17 M.Ed. w/initial Teaching Certification For: Individuals who hold a bachelor s degree and wish to become a certified teacher in the state of Texas. What you learn: The graduate program builds intellectual and instructional skills and understanding of pedagogical applications for grades K-12 while working towards certification in the chosen subject area. How you learn: This is a cohort program. For the Spring and Fall semesters you will complete two classes per 8 week session, and one class per Summer session. You will be attending classes two nights a week from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Following this schedule, you will finish the program in two years. Students complete 30 hours of field work as well as a 12-week student teaching experience. Concordia University Texas will coordinate your placement. Career Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Education degree in Curriculum & Instruction and be prepared to sit for the state (TExES) exams in Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR). Upon completion of all requirements, the educator preparation program (Concordia University Texas) makes the recommendation to TEA for the individual to become certified. Content Areas: You must choose one of the following content areas in which you plan to be certified. Students will learn the teaching skills and theory necessary for classroom success, however, it is assumed that students come into the program with a mastery of their chosen content area. Concordia University Texas requires all students to meet the 24 credit hour requirement in the corresponding teaching field. If necessary, you may need to take additional coursework. Degree Plan: Elementary Content Areas Middle School Content Areas High School Content Areas EC-6 Generalist 4-8 Generalist 8-12 Math/Physics 4-8 Social Studies 7-12 Life/Earth Science 4-8 Math 7-12 English Language Arts Multi-Level Content Areas 4-8 English Language Arts 7-12 Social Studies EC-12 Music 4-8 English Language Arts/ Social Studies 7-12 History EC-12 Physical Education 4-8 Science 7-12 Math 4-8 Math/Science 7-12 Science 6-12 Physical Science MED 5309 Differentiated Instruction & Learning Theory 3 MED 5308 Ethics & Leadership in Education 3 MED 5303 Curriculum Design and Practice 3 MED 5305 The Classroom Teacher as Researcher 3 CAI 5328 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education 3 CAI 5321 Models of Teaching 3 CAI 5322 Legal Foundations of Education 3 CAI 5323 Evaluation and Assessment in Education 3 LTC 5329 Foundations of Literacy 3 LTC 5331 Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum 3 MED 5307 Educational Internship* 3 CAI 5330 Action Research 3 MED 5101 Field Work 1 Total Credit Hours 37 Please Note: While the chart above lists each of the courses that make up the M.Ed. degree for informational purposes, this is not an official class schedule, and is subject to change. * MED 5307 requires a $500 internship fee. 17

18 Important Information About Concordia University Texas Concordia University Texas is an award-winning institute of higher education dedicated to providing a quality liberal arts education with Christian values to develop and nurture leaders for a changing world. Concordia University Texas is owned by The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and is a member of the highly respected Concordia University System in which more than 31,000 students are enrolled nationwide. Our graduate faculty throughout Texas demonstrates commitment to the mission of the university. With classes currently meeting in the Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and San Antonio areas, our delivery model features small classes led on-site by an instructor with a doctorate from a fully-accredited institution. Admissions Information In order to be admitted to Concordia University Texas M.Ed. program, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale of all undergraduate work completed, or have completed 12 hours of graduate coursework with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. For the Initial Teaching Certification program, students must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA to be admitted. If the cumulative GPA is below 2.5, the University can look at just the last 60 credit hours earned. If those are 2.5 or higher, a student can be admitted. If your GPA does not meet the minimum requirements, you will be required to submit an essay to be reviewed by the Graduate Education Committee. For essay details, please call the Graduate Information Office at (800) All documents on page 2 must be submitted in order to be considered for admission, including official sealed transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree and any graduate level coursework, three graduate recommendation forms, and a copy of your current valid teaching certificate (copy of certificate not required for Initial Teacher Certification or Sports Administration programs). Admission to the university does not guarantee a seat in a cohort. Transferring Credits The College of Education will accept up to 6 graduate credit hours in transfer from accredited colleges or universities toward a graduate degree. Any course used toward a degree must have been completed prior to beginning M.Ed. course work at Concordia University Texas and have been taken in the last three years to be considered. Cohort & Tuition Information Tuition is $540 per credit hour for the academic year for face-to-face programs, and $540 per credit hour for the online programs. Although most of our off-campus programs are scheduled to meet one night per week at the same time and location (two nights a week for the initial certification program), we reserve the right to change meeting times and/or locations due to any extenuating circumstances. These programs are dependent on a minimum enrollment of 12 and class size is limited to 22 students (18 for online programs). Accreditation & Quality Concordia University Texas is a nonprofit university that is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate s, Bachelor s, and Master s degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia , or call (404) for questions about the accreditation of Concordia University Texas. Concordia University Texas is also accredited by The State Board for Educator Certification, a branch of the Texas Education Agency. Important Contact Information Graduate Information Office Karastin Hamlin khamlin@graduateprogram.org Private Loans and Payment Questions San Antonio Patricia Mitschke patricia.mitschke@concordia.edu Austin Kathy Lugo esther.lugo@concordia.edu Dallas/Fort Worth Dollie Pope dollie.pope@concordia.edu 18