Credential Services
530-898-6455
credentials@csuchico.edu
Location: Tehama Hall 101
Phone: 530-898-6421
Email: educ@csuchico.edu
Credential Services
530-898-6455
credentials@csuchico.edu
Location: Tehama Hall 101
Phone: 530-898-6421
Email: educ@csuchico.edu
Start your next chapter as an education leader. Explore Chico State’s MA application steps, deadlines, and resources—all in one place.
On This Page
Before you apply, learn what makes this online MA in Education unique—from its focus on equity to flexible options for working teachers.
Dr. Ben Seipel
530-898-6421
bseipel@csuchico.edu
This MA in Education program is designed for credentialed or licensed K-12 teachers. It is recommended that you earn your teaching credential before you apply.
Consult with the coordinator of the program of interest. The program coordinator will provide information to help you get started.
Dr. Ben Seipel
Email: bseipel@csuchico.edu
Apply for admission to Graduate Studies and the MA in Education.
The School of Education also requires an Initial Writing Assessment as part of the application process. This response should be submitted with your application. Deadlines posted at important deadlines for Graduate Studies.
The initial writing assessment is part of our application process and thoughtful consideration is needed in completing and submitting it. If your writing skills are not deemed strong enough, you may be denied admission or you may be admitted to the program with conditional status.
If you are admitted with conditional status, you will be required to take our credit/no credit one-unit writing course offered through the University's Regional Center for Continuing Education for an additional fee to help you improve your academic writing, citing, and referencing skills and move you from conditional status to classified status.
After you submit all application materials, including the Initial Writing Assessment, your file will be reviewed.
Questions? Contact Dr. Ben Seipel at bseipel@csuchico.edu.
Required Core Courses (18 units) | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
EDMA 600 Critical Perspectives in Education | X | |
EDMA 610 Intro. to Inquiry in Education | X | |
EDCI 611 Analysis of Instruction | X | |
BLMC 672 Linguistically and Culturally Responsive Educational Theories and Practices | X | |
SPED 661 Inclusive Theories and Practices in Special Ed. | X | |
EDMA 690* (formerly EDMA 611) Research Seminar in Education | X | X |
Culminating Activity: Thesis, Project, or Comp Exam EDMA 699 T/P or EDMA 696* (Culminating Activity is completed during your last semester.) | X | X |
* If taking EDMA 696 (Comp exam), EDMA 690 is not required but an additional elective must be substituted.
(limited to up to two 500-level courses)
*These courses are only offered through Professional and Continuing Education (PCE). You must register for those courses through PCE
Students admitted to the MA in Education program may be able transfer Master’s-level credits from another institution (up to 6 credits).
Students who completed their initial teaching credential (i.e., Education Specialist, Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Bilingual Authorization) at Chico State may carry-forward up to 9 credits from their credential program to the MA in Education program.
Note: There is a 7-year time limit on credential courses, please consult with the program coordinator for further information.
PASC students can count up to 12 credits of their program (i.e., EDAD 631, EDAD 632) toward a MA in Education from Chico State. All transfer credits are subject to recency and content standards. For further information, contact the MA program coordinator.
Note: There is a 7-year time limit on PASC credential courses, please consult with the program coordinator for further information.
The culminating activity (Thesis, Project, or Exam) is selected during the first 12 units and determines the direction of remaining coursework.
The thesis is a research study. To conduct the study, a research question is posed, a hypothesis is formulated, a method for collecting data is designed, data is collected and analyzed, and conclusions are drawn. Of course, a review of literature related to the research question is completed. The thesis is a well-written document in four or five chapters in which each component of the research is reported. Upon completion of the thesis, the MA candidate makes a formal, public presentation of his or her findings.
The project is a scholarly activity that results in the development of a solution to a specific educational problem. The MA candidate identifies an educational problem, often in his or her school or district. A review of the research elucidates approaches that others have taken to similar educational problems. A solution to the specific problem is designed, and materials and/or activities to enact the solution are developed. The project is reported in a well-written document of three or four chapters in which each component of the problem and its solution are described. An appendix often contains materials developed to enact the solution. Upon completion of the project, the MA candidate makes a formal, public presentation of his or her findings.
The comprehensive examination is a writing exercise completed in one day. The MA candidate responds to questions related to the themes of the MA program and their specialty area with essays that demonstrate an understanding of research and practice. Reviews of literature in education, conducted throughout the program and updated in EDMA 696, will be critical tools for preparing for the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam is scored by a faculty committee elected annually.
See A Guide to Graduate Study for additional information about theses and projects, available at Graduate Studies Guides.
For theses and projects, your MA adviser will be an important source of information and assistance. Your MA adviser will chair your two-member MA advisory committee. You will select one other faculty member for the committee.
The Graduate School sets a deadline by which theses and projects must be submitted each semester for graduation that semester. Your final thesis or project must be approved by your MA advisory committee, the School of Education graduate coordinator, and the Graduate School. Your oral presentation must be completed by the Graduate School deadline. Plan to submit a copy of your thesis or project to the graduate coordinator two weeks before the Graduate School deadline.
For the comprehensive exam, you do not need to form an MA advisory committee. Your MA adviser will assist your progress toward your degree and must recommend you for the exam by the end of the semester preceding the one in which you will take the exam. The exam is given on only one date each semester. Dates are set three semesters in advance. Your graduation clearance form will be signed by your adviser, the chair of the comprehensive exam committee, and the graduate coordinator.
Education MA faculty Claudia Bertolone-Smith, Jamie Gunderson, and Char Moffit take a group photo to celebrate faculty who have earned tenure and promotion at the Tenure and Promotion Reception.
Meet with your advisor early to plan out all of your MA courses from the list of required and elective courses for your MA option. Be sure to:
While taking the first 12 units of MA courses, you must also:
Credential Services
530-898-6455
credentials@csuchico.edu
Location: Tehama Hall 101
Phone: 530-898-6421
Email: educ@csuchico.edu