About the Program Links

Masters of Education Special Emphasis Program

Intended for the classroom teachers with particular needs and interest who wish to design their own personal staff development program, this advanced degree program offers the flexibility and individuality needed to help improve instructional and leadership abilities. In addition to completing a limited number of required core courses, the student, assisted by his/her department counselor, devises a specific program typically combining regular coursework with independent studies on topics identified by the student. Integrating theory and practical skills, the program culminates in a final project.

Based on their own professional needs and personal schedule, students may complete all degree requirements in as little as two or as many as five academic years. All courses are offered in late afternoon or evening.

Teaching Credential Option
Students who have completed a bachelor's degree program may complete the requirements for the Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential as part of their Master of Education Special Emphasis program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Education Special Emphasis degree program requires:

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
A GPA of 3.0 or above for the last 60 semester units of undergraduate study and a GPA of 3.0 for any graduate study.
Three positive references attesting to the applicant's academic / professional competency
Demonstrated ability to write at an acceptable level for graduate study
Internet access capability

Academic Requirements

This advanced degree program requires 33 semester hours in the following combination:

Core Courses - 9 semester hours
Emphasis Areas - 21 semester hours
Culminating Experience - 3 semester hours

Courses

(All courses are three semester hours)

Core Requirement

EDUC 501	Educational Assessment
EDUC 503	Educational Psychology
EDUC 504	Methods of Research

Emphasis Area
The are of emphasis may include courses and independent studies agreed upon by the student and Education Department program counselor.

Culminating Experience

EDUC 594	Thesis or
EDUC 596	Graduate Seminar

Degree Program Requirements

Students in the master's degree program must maintain an academic achievement of at least a 3.0 grade point average. All degree coursework must be completed within five years of registration as a graduate student.

Transfer Credit

Up to six semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from an accredited university or college to the University of La Verne's graduate degree program if:

The units were acceptable as graduate degree coursework in the transferring school,
The courses are applicable to the chosen University of La Verne degree program,
The coursework earned a grade point average of 3.0 or better, and
The coursework was taken from an accredited institution within five years prior to transfer to the University of La Verne.

Credit by Challenge

Since the University of La Verne's Master of Education Special Emphasis program is competency-based, credit for courses may be gained by challenge. To challenge an approved course, the student must demonstrate competency in the course or course module.