The Master of Arts in Education

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer and/or CSU Chico Open University course work may be applied toward the degree. Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within seven years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See "Graduate Education" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Arts in Education is to address educational challenges in the belief that School of Education faculty, students, and educational partners will make a difference in the lives of those who learn and teach. The program instills respect for educational research and applications and a commitment to contribute to the heritage of scholarship in the field. The graduate program strives to improve the quality of education at all levels, to promote equality of opportunity for all learners, and to enhance the contributions that education makes to local communities and to society in general.

General Overview

The MA in Education is a professional degree that allows the candidate to study in depth a specific area of interest related to teaching and learning. The MA program provides an opportunity to study both theoretical and pragmatic issues and the interrelationships among these. The degree is designed to enhance the professional abilities of the career professional and to provide advanced preparation for those seeking degrees beyond the MA. MA in Education programs are available in both the Department of Professional Studies in Education and the Department of Education. Please see options and advising patterns below.

Master's Degree Option and Patterns

The Curriculum and Instruction Option is a multidisciplinary program that helps educators broaden their knowledge of learning and the educational concepts, and advance their ability to develop curriculum and plan instruction for the improvement of learning. Contact the Department of Education for a program planning guide.

The Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners Option is designed to develop a knowlege base and leadership skills that will prepare candidates to address the critical pedagogical and linguistic needs of California's diverse student population—including specially designed academic instruction in English and English language development—and to promote sensitivity to multicultural issues in education. Contact either the Department of Education or the Department of Professional Studies in Education for a program planning guide.

The Reading/Language Arts Option is designed to prepare teachers for leadership positions related to the teaching of reading/language arts in K-14 settings. Courses focus on issues of language development, child or adolescent literature, diagnosis and treatment of learner needs, including clinical practice, knowledge of issues and research. Most courses may be applied to a California Reading/ Language Arts Specialist Credential. Contact the Department of Professional Studies in Education for information.

The Special Education (Education Specialist) Option incorporates current master's degree requirements, courses from Level II and the Resource Specialist Certificate, and other options from which the candidate may select. One plan includes the thesis, a second plan includes a creative project, and a third includes research work and oral and written examinations. All inquiries and planning should be made directly with education faculty. Contact the Department of Professional Studies in Education for information.

The Advising Pattern in Educational Administration provides professional preparation for school leadership. Courses address communication skills, curriculum, supervision, management of funds and facilities, law, personnel, instructional leadership, and other administrative functions. Most courses may be applied to a California Administrative Services Credential. Contact the Department of Education for a program planning guide.

Admission and Advancement in the MA in Education

To be admitted to the MA in Education, students must hold an acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution and have attained grade point averages of at least 2.5 overall, 2.75 in the last 60 units, and 3.0 in the last 30 units. Students must also pass the Initial Education Writing Assessment sent to them at the time of application for admission. Students meeting these requirements will be admitted to Classified Status.

Students who do not meet all requirements above may be admitted to Conditionally Classified status to remedy deficiencies through additional preparation. Conditionally Classified students will complete 12 units of courses designated by the department's Graduate Coordinator with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and will satisfy any program specified criteria for admission to Classified Status.

Graduate students having Classified Status can apply for Advancement to Candidate status after successfully completing 15 units of program courses, including EDMA 610 (Introduction to Inquiry in Education), with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and filing a master's degree program plan. Students submit an application for Advancement to Candidate status to their MA advisor/committee chair. Approval of the department's Graduate Coordinator is also required.

For additional information, see the Graduate Education section of this catalog and check with department offices in the School of Education.

Requirements for the Master's Degree:

Requirements for the Master's Degree in Education are established by the department, the student's master's advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies. They include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows: (a) At least 18 units in the discipline of Education. (b) At least 18 units required for the degree in 600-level courses. (c) Not more than 9 semester units of approved graduate-level transfer and/or extension credit. (d) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (EDMA 697) and Master's Project (EDMA 699P) or Master's Thesis (EDMA 699T) may be applied to the degree. The Master's Project (EDMA 699P) or Master's Thesis (EDMA 699T) may not be more than 6 units. (e) Completion of required courses: an educational foundations course selected from EDMA 603 or 604 (3.0 units) and an educational research course, EDMA 610. (f) Completion of a culminating activity, courses associated with that culminating activity, and approval by the MA advisor and the department graduate coordinator. Thesis or project: students complete EDMA 611 and EDMA 699T or EDMA 699P. Students taking the comprehensive examination in the Curriculum and Instruction Option or the Educational Administration advising pattern complete EDMA 696 and write the exam as part of that course. Special Education Option students complete EDMA 611 and EDMA 697. (g) Completion of courses prescribed for the option or advising pattern. (h) Master's degree students are required to be enrolled continuously from the time they begin their program until the degree is awarded. Continuous enrollment may be maintained either through registration as a matriculated student or through adjunct enrollment. See "Regulations Governing Graduate Students" for a full description of continuous enrollment. 2. Recommendation for the degree by the department graduate coordinator and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University. All forms and approvals requiring the signature of the graduate coordinator must be processed by the department housing the option or advising pattern.

It is the student's responsibility to meet all requirements and submit application forms for changes in graduate status. Forms for advancement in status are available from the Office of Graduate Studies and the department offices. Forms must be submitted to the appropriate graduate coordinator for approval.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Students in the MA in Education program demonstrate writing proficiency through a combination of exercises beginning with the Initial Education Writing Assessment and continuing throughout the program. Specifically, with the application for Advancement to Candidate status, students submit a selected EDMA 610 writing assignment and a second writing assignment specified by program option faculty. These assignments are evaluated to determine graduate level writing proficiency.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 597/697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 597/697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is recommended each semester for MA in Education students. Upon admission to the program, graduate students are encouraged to consult with the graduate coordinator of the department which houses their option or advising pattern. It is important for you to do this as early as possible. The department graduate or program coordinator helps you in identifying and selecting an MA advisor. All forms and approvals requiring the signature of the graduate coordinator must be processed by the department housing the advising option or pattern.