The graduate program in education offers two 36-hour, non-thesis Master’s degrees, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) for those previously certified to teach in the state of Texas and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) for those seeking Texas teaching certification.
Faculty
Degrees
To earn a degree, students must complete the curriculum and meet other requirements for a degree listed in the academic policy section of this catalog.
Certification Programs
Mission
The mission of the graduate program in education is to prepare creative and innovative professional educators with high moral and ethical standards who view themselves as agents of change and who are committed to the welfare of children and have the understanding, attitudes, and skills necessary for effective teaching and leadership. Individuals desiring to complete requirements for Texas Educator Certification must apply to the Educator Certification Program through the certification office. Some course work is required in addition to the M.A.T. for completing teaching certification.
Purpose
The purpose of the Master's Degree in education is to provide qualified students with advanced academic training beyond the baccalaureate degree. Graduate education courses are designed (1) to strengthen the professional knowledge base and skills of the graduate student, as both teacher and administrator; (2) to increase independent study and seminar skills; (3) to strengthen the use of traditional research skills; (4) to assist the student in valuing and conducting classroom based research; (5) to increase the instructional leadership skills of the student; (6) to encourage reflective analytical/critical thinking on the part of the student; and (7) to increase the ability of the student to analyze case studies related to educational experiences.
These programs meet the requirements for certification in the state of Texas. Students interested in seeking certification in states other than Texas should notify the Director of Certification in the School of Education for more information. Additional information is also available in the institutional disclosure statement for programs leading to licensure or certification.
Expectations
Graduate students are expected to assume greater responsibility over their programs of study, to function productively in seminar structures, to conduct research on a regular basis, to read widely and critically in both primary and secondary materials, and to function as professional educators who display ethical and moral behavior and leadership patterned after the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Semester Length
As this program is designed for the practicing professional educator, its academic year is divided into Fall or Spring C1, which last 16 weeks, and Fall or Spring C2 and C3, each lasting 8 weeks, Summer C1 lasting 13 weeks and Summer C5 lasting 10 weeks. Students may enroll in no more than 7 hours per term of evening and/or online courses. Exceptions to the semester hour limit must be approved, in advance, by the advisor.
Educator Certification Program
See information under the same title on the School of Education page.
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction offers a program for educational preparation with specialized skills to meet the curriculum needs of professional educators in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education as curriculum specialists. The master’s degree focuses on the collection and evaluation of a curriculum and instructional program using student performance data to identify strengths and weaknesses in the program and the development of a modification and implementation plan to address program weaknesses. Students will build an E-portfolio and present a curriculum and instruction plan to a committee of educators. For students completing a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education, Middle School Education, or Secondary Education at LCU and entering the MED Curriculum and Instruction program within two years of graduation may be eligible to reduce the total numbers of hours up to 6 semester hours. Faculty in the discipline determine coursework required for the degree. A minimum of 30 semester hours for a master’s degree must still be earned.
The Master of Education degree in Educational Diagnostics will prepare students with the knowledge and skills to be an educational diagnostician. This program is available for those who are already a certified teacher and who meet university graduate program admission requirements. Students must have taught at least two years in a creditable institution before obtaining this certification, but may be enrolled during this period. Students holding a master’s degree have the option of choosing the 24-hour certification route instead. Students who have completed the MAT or MED in Special Education at LCU may be eligible for a 12-hour certification program.
This 36-hour concentration will offer students opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to become a school principal or central office administrator as designated by the school. Under special circumstances, students may seek a master's degree in educational leadership without seeking certification. Students already holding a master's degree have the option of choosing the 24-hour certification route instead. Students must have taught at least two years in a creditable institution before obtaining this certification, but may be enrolled during this period. The Master of Education in Leadership may be pursued on campus. The program is designed to prepare students to test for certification as a principal in the State of Texas. The university cannot confirm whether the program or courses in the program meets requirements for certification in any other state. Students seeking certification in another state assume responsibility to determine whether the program meets certification requirements in that state.
Graduate education offers students an opportunity to participate in advanced studies in teacher education, available for those who have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and meet graduate program admission requirements. Students desiring to pursue the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, who are not certified to teach, must complete six hours of undergraduate clinical teaching beyond the master's degree and meet all Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements to become certified. Students not pursuing a master’s degree but interested in becoming a certified teacher, may pursue the Teacher Preparation Program in Secondary Education. This 25-hour program allows students to pursue teacher certification and can typically be completed within a year. To meet TEA/SBEC requirements in both programs, students may have to enroll in additional leveling courses.
Special education offers students opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to become a special education teacher. Students who have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and meet graduate admission requirements may pursue the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Special Education with an EC-12 certification. Clinical teaching in a special education classroom is required for this certification. For students who have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, who hold a current Texas teacher certification, and who meet the university graduate admission requirements can pursue the following three options: (1) the 36-hour Master of Education in Special Education, (2) the 36-hour Master of Education in Special Education with Dyslexia emphasis, or (3) the 15-hour Special Education CORE program for those wanting to increase their knowledge in the area of special education and pursue Texas Special Education certification.
The Superintendent Certification cohort program is a post-graduate program that will develop students’ knowledge and skills which are needed to hold administrative positions at the central office level or superintendent positions. Standards for admission to the Superintendent Certification program are more restrictive than general graduate admission standards in that students must have completed a master’s degree and either hold a principal certificate or have at least three years of creditable managerial experience approved by TEA. Candidate applications will be reviewed by program administrators in conjunction with the Office of Graduate Studies.
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Non-thesis degree program in curriculum and instruction for individuals holding a Texas teaching certification.
(36 hours)
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Non-thesis degree program in educational leadership for individuals holding a Texas teaching certification and two years of creditable teaching experience.
Educational Leadership Strand campus-based or online (36 hours)
Master of Education in Educational Diagnostics
Non-thesis degree program in special education and diagnostic assessment and services for those with a teaching certification and two years of creditable teaching experience.
(36 hours)
Master of Education in Special Education
Non-thesis degree program in special education for individuals holding a Texas teaching certification.
(36 hours)
Master of Education in Special Education with Dyslexia emphasis
Non-thesis degree program in special education with an emphasis in dyslexia for those holding a Texas teaching certification. Students admitted with additional requirements.
(36 hours)
Master of Arts in Teaching
Non-thesis degree program in secondary education for those seeking a Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching that may culminate ininitial teacher* certification.
(36 hour degree and 7 or 8 additional hours for certification as listed below)
*Initial Texas teaching certification requires the following additional coursework:
Or
Students must pass appropriate content PACT exam to be admitted to the Educator Certification Program prior to completion of the 26th credit hours of MA in Teaching coursework.
Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education
Non-thesis degree program in special education for those seeking teaching certification.
(36 hours)
The following 13 hours must be completed for a Texas teaching certification:
Students must pass the appropriate content TExES exam prior to enrolling in ESP 4660.
Certification Only Programs
Students seeking admission into the certification programs must meet the general admission requirements for graduate admission. These programs meet the requirements for certification in the state of Texas. Students interested in seeking certification in states other than Texas should notify the Director of Certification in the School of Education for more information.
Special Education Certification CORE
Certification only post-baccalaureate program in special education for those holding Texas teaching certification.
(15 hours)
Educational Diagnostics Certification
Certification only post-graduate program in diagnostics for those holding Texas teaching certification with three years of creditable teaching experience.
(24 hours)
Secondary Education Certification (Teacher Prep)
Certification only post-baccalaureate program in secondary education for those possessing at least 24 hours in a teaching field with 12 upper level hours.
(25 hours)
Students must pass appropriate content PACT exam to be admitted to the Educator Certification Program by completion of 9 hours of coursework.
Principal Certification
Program leading to the Principal Certification for those holding a master's degree and two years of creditable teaching experience.
(24 hours)
Superintendent Certification
Program leading to the Superintendent Certification for those holding a master's degree and meet other requirements established by the State Board of Education.
(15 hours)