Specialist in Education (EdS) Degree in Middle School Education

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1 Academic Programs - Middle School Education Early Childhood & Elementary Education Middle School Education Social Studies Education B.S.Ed. o Preprofessional Experience M.A.T. M.Ed. Ed.S. Ph.D. Specialist in Education (EdS) Degree in Middle School Education The specialist degree in middle school education is most appropriate for candidates who are already certified to teach children at the middle school, though other interested students are welcome to apply. The program will lead to T6 certification, but does not lead to certification for uncertified individuals. Students typically choose either the specialist or the doctoral program for their terminal degree work, though students with a specialist degree may opt to begin a doctorate after earning the EdS. The specialist program is most often selected by individuals who intend to focus their careers primarily on teaching and curriculum leadership at the pre-collegiate level. Doctoral programs are more frequently chosen by those who aspire to teach and conduct research at the college or university level.

2 The EdS degree program is a non-cohort program that can be completed either part-time or full-time. New students can be admitted during any semester or term. Most required courses are offered only on the Athens campus. During the school year, all courses are offered in the evening for the convenience of full-time teachers. Summer session courses are usually offered during the day. Admissions Guidelines Applications are accepted at any time. In general, applications received at least two months before the beginning of a semester or summer session can be processed in time for registration in the up-coming semester or session. International students must apply at least three months before the semester in which they wish to matriculate. Applicants for the EdS in Middle School Education must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point of 2.8 or above on a four-point scale. Applicants must also hold a master s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 on a four-point scale. Applicants must have a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 900 total and at least 450 verbal and 450 quantitative, or a Miller Analogies Test score of at least 408. Either test must have been taken within five years of the date of admission. Applicants must also have at least two years of early childhood or elementary school teaching experience. Application Procedures Applicants must submit to the Graduate School: The Graduate School application form Application fee Two official copies of transcripts from all institutions attended Official scores from GRE or Miller Analogies Test (must have been taken within five years of applying for the degree program) For international students, official TOEFL or IELTS scores The application form, information regarding the GRE and Miller Analogies Test, and other important information are all available at The department also requires three letters of recommendation from individuals acquainted with the applicant s academic abilities or potential as a teacher. At least one reference must be a current or former professor. Names of references must be included in the Graduate School application form, page 3. Letters will be solicited by the Graduate School and are submitted on-line.

3 When all of the application materials have been received, they are reviewed by the Middle School Education Program faculty. The faculty makes a recommendation on the application to the Elementary and Social Studies Education Department s Graduate Coordinator who in turn makes a recommendation to the Graduate School. The final decision on admission is made by the Graduate School. Applicants and the department will receive notification directly from the Graduate School concerning a decision on acceptance. Deadlines: Applications should be submitted at least two months prior to the intended date of matriculation; international applicants must submit completed applications at least three full months prior to the intended date of matriculation. Program Planning and Advisement Upon acceptance into the EdS degree program, students will be assigned to a faculty advisor. Students must communicate with their advisor every semester to plan coursework and to be cleared for registration. Course of Study for the Master of Education in Middle School Education The EdS program in middle school education consists of 10 courses (30 semester hours). The courses are taken in four areas: (a) educational foundations (3 6 semester hours); (b) characteristics, programs, and problems of the middle school (2 3 courses); (c) middle school subject matter (3 courses); and (d) research (3 courses). Students may also include courses that will earn further endorsements, though it is likely that not all courses for a particular endorsement will the fit within the semester hours in the program of study for the specialist degree. At least one course in the program of study must meet the diversity requirement (courses marked with an asterisk, below, meet this requirement). Program Summary Educational foundations Characteristics, programs, and problems Middle school subject areas Research Total: 3-6 semester hours minimum 6-9 semester hours minimum 9 semester hours minimum 9 semester hours minimum 30 semester hours

4 Educational Foundations (3-6 credit hours) EFND 7010 Comparative and International Education EFND 7040 History of Education in the United States EFND 7110 Race, Class, and Education* EFND 7200 Multicultural Education in the United States* EFND 8010 Philosophy of Education EFND 8040 Pragmatism and Education EFND 8060 Social and Political Philosophies of Education EFND 8070 Ethics and Education EFND 8130 Education as Democracy EPSY 6010 Foundations of Human Development for Education EPSY 6800 Foundations of Cognition for Education EPSY 7100 Individual Assessment of Development Characteristics, Programs, and Problems of the Middle School (6-9 credit hours) Required (up to three) unless taken in an MEd program: EDMS 7030 The Middle School EDMS 7050 Teaching Young Adolescents EDMS 7080 Curriculum Planning for the Middle School EDMS 7090 Instructional Strategies for the Middle School EDMS 7100 Evaluation of the Middle School Electives: EDMS 7060 Academic Community Learning EDMS 7120 Children s Social Lives* EDMS 7130 Teaching Styles in the Elementary Classroom EDMS 7500 Action Research EDMS 8020 Self-Instruction for Classroom Processes EDMS 8050 Theory and Research on Teaching EDMS 8070 Research and Perspectives on Teacher Education: PreK Grade 8 EDMS 8100 Theories and Research on Teachers Thinking EDMS 8120 Social Constructivist Approaches to Understanding Classroom Motivation

5 EDMS 8140 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Learning Environments for Children and Young Adolescents* EDMS 8150 Research and Theory in Family School Community Interactions* EDMS 8180 Research in Multicultural Teacher Education* EDMS 8190 Mentoring in Learning to Teach Middle School Subject Matter (9 credit hours) Consult with advisor about appropriate subject matter courses. Research (9 credit hours) Required: EDMS 6990 Research Seminar in Middle School Education EDMS 7650 Literature Review in Middle School Education (prerequisite: EDMS 6990) Elective: EDMS 7500 Action Research ERSH 6300 Applied Statistical Methods in Education ERSH 8400 Qualitative Research Traditions * meets the diversity requirement Candidates must pass the EdS exit examination in one of the last two semesters of coursework. The graduate school requires that a candidate be enrolled in at least one course during the semester the examination is taken. Candidates must contact their advisor to register for the examination. Candidate