The Program is designed to service a national market
and does not purport to provide licensure or credential certification
in any particular state and/or school district. Applicants interested
in licensure, credential certification, and/or salary advancement
are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and
their respective human resources department before enrollment.
The Program is presented on a trimester basis. Students
are generally enrolled in 10 units per trimester. Each trimester
consists of a minimum time period of 16 weeks from the date study
commences. Students not completing all trimester coursework in
the 16-week period will be granted an automatic 32 week extension
of time to complete the trimester. Students may take a leave-of-absence
between trimesters. However, except in special circumstances,
the entire degree program (3 trimesters) must be completed within
5 years.
Independent Study
The University's independent study modality recognizes that education
is an individual process where individuals with different learning
needs and study schedules can be accommodated. It emphasizes learning
that is meaningful, where individuals enjoy the learning process,
and acquire knowledge to better understand and manage their own
careers.
The Program’s Faculty Mentors support the student’s
independent-study learning role by guiding and stimulating the
learning process in one-on-one interaction. Our faculty mentors
recognize individual learning styles and needs, encourage one-on-one
contact, and emphasize the relevance of the material to the individual's
situation.
Each course in the Program contains a series of lesson
assignments generally consisting of reading requirements and research
projects. Students are evaluated through examinations and/or research
assignments which are submitted for faculty evaluation.
All assignments are submitted electronically. As set forth in
the University’s General Catalog, Internet access and minimum
computer requirements and skills are required as a condition of
admittance.
Shortly after enrollment in the Program, the student
in collaboration with a faculty member agree on a plan for the
completion of the degree requirements. The degree completion plan
will include a projected timetable for completion of the Program,
selection of electives, and communication with faculty and staff.
While the plan can be modified in the future, experience has shown
this type of planning increases a student’s probability
of success.
Curriculum
To earn the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, a student must
complete a minimum of 30 semester units from the courses outlined
below with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
The requirements may be completed in as little as twelve months,
and must be completed within five years from the date of initial
enrollment.
| First Trimester
(10 units) |
| EDU512 |
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
|
3 units |
| EDU504 |
Psychological Foundations of Education |
3 units |
| EDU521 |
Teaching & Learning |
4 units |
| Second Trimester (10 units)
|
| EDU522 |
Assessment and Evaluation |
3 units |
| EDU513 |
Leadership |
3 units |
| EDU520 |
Diversity |
4 units |
| Third Trimester (Electives
- Minimum 10 Units Required) |
| EDU528 |
Curriculum Design and Instructional Practices |
3 units |
| EDU529 |
Early Childhood Education |
3 units |
| EDU524 |
Educational Finance & Human Resources |
3 units |
| EDU525 |
Educational Technology |
3 units |
| EDU603 |
Fieldwork |
1-6 units |
| EDU523 |
Introduction to Educational Administration |
3 units |
| EDU530 |
Research |
3 units |
| EDU527 |
Special Education |
3 units |
| EDU526 |
Teaching Reading |
3 units |
|
Montessori Educator Elective Track |
| EDU630 |
Montessori Philosophy |
4 units |
| EDU635 |
Montessori Classroom Leadership |
4 units |
| EDU640 |
Application of Montessori Philosophy at the Early Childhood
Level |
3 units |
| EDU645 |
Application of Montessori Philosophy at the Elementary Level |
3 units |
Total Minimum Semester Units Required for Graduation:
30
Students taking the Montessori Elective Track will complete
a total of 34 Units.
Financial Information
The tuition for the Program is $275.00 per semester unit ($2,750.00
per trimester). Tuition rates are “locked” for
two years at the time of matriculation. An enrolled student
will be protected from future tuition increases during this period
of time. Additional information on financial aid and tuition financing
can be found under Tuition, Financial Aid
and Financing.
|
| Application Fee |
$40 |
| Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee |
$55 |
| Portfolio Credit Evaluation Fee |
$100 |
| Registration Fee (Per Trimester) |
$50 |
| Graduation Check/Diploma Fee |
$75 |
| Computer Library Fee (Per Trimester) |
$45 |
Administrative Accounting Fee
(
Per Trimester- Installment Payment Option Only) |
$25 |
| Transcript Fee (Two Provided at No
Cost) |
$10 |
| Returned Check Fee |
$25 |
The cost of books and materials, other than each course syllabus,
is not included in the tuition. The University does not sell books
or materials. Most books and materials may be purchased at local
colleges, retail bookstores, directly from publishers or over
the Internet. The cost is estimated to average approximately $150.00
per course. Students are always provided with a mail or Internet
source for acquiring all required materials.
Income Tax Deductibility
Educational expenses are generally deductible (even if they lead
to a degree) if the education that is undertaken maintains or
improves a skill required by the individual in the individual’s
employment or meets the express requirements of the individual’s
employer. Accordingly, tuition, fees, and materials for this Program
should generally be tax deductible as itemized deductions for
students employed as educators. Employer paid educational expenses
related to an employee’s employment are not treated as taxable
income to the employee.
Applicants and students are encouraged to contact their professional
tax advisor to ascertain the income tax ramifications in their
specific circumstances.
Admission Policies and Requirements
Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a college
or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
the United States Department of Education and are currently employed
in public or private education at the elementary, secondary or
higher education level may apply to the Program. The
majority of applicants to this Program are mature adults
working in a variety of professional settings. Many have not attended
college for several years. Consequently, prior class rank and
grade point average are not significant factors in the admission
process.
To apply for admission to the Program, an applicant
must first complete the University’s Application
for Admission Form along with the required $40.00 application
fee. It is not necessary to submit official transcripts at the
time of application. However, official transcripts will be required
within 60 days of enrollment.
If the applicant is accepted for admission to the Program,
an enrollment commitment form will be prepared and sent to the
applicant. At the time the commitment material and the $100.00
commitment fee are received by the Admissions Office, a formal
enrollment agreement will be prepared and sent to the applicant
for review and signature.
Special Applicants
An individual not qualifying as a regular applicant may apply
as a special applicant. Special applicants are evaluated on a
case-by-case basis, but must have an academic background equivalent
to a bachelor’s degree earned in the United States. (This
could be a degree earned outside the United States or a combination
of academic units earned and professional employment experience.)
As a general rule, special applicants should also have the equivalent
of three years of related experience in education. Special applicants
who are admitted without significant related work experience should
expect to devote a significantly greater amount of time to the
coursework.
All payments submitted for tuition and fees must be payable in
U.S. dollars. Payments may be made by MasterCard®,Visa®,
American Express® or personal/business check.
Foreign Applicants and Applicants with International Credentials
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have
not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution
where English is the principal language of instruction must receive
a minimum score of 500 (530 for Masters degree program applicants)
on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),
or 61 on the iBT (71 on the iBT for Masters degree program applicants),
or its equivalent.
For more information on TOEFL visit the website: www.ets.org/toefl
Applicants wishing to transfer in credits or degrees earned at
institutions located outside the United States must have their
academic transcripts evaluated and certified by a National Association
of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) member organization.
Applicants will be assessed a fee by the certifying organization
and should request that the report be sent directly to Taft University.
Applicants transferring in a degree need to request a General
Degree Evaluation sometimes called a Document by Document Evaluation.
Applicants wishing to transfer in credits toward specific courses
must request a Course-by-Course report.
Transfer Credit
The acceptance of transfer credits between academic institutions
lies within the discretion of the receiving college or university.
Credits earned at William Howard Taft University or Taft Law School
may or may not be accepted by another institution depending upon
its own programs, policies, and regulations.
The University is committed to providing students the greatest
opportunity to apply previously earned credit toward their chosen
degree program. Subject to the limitations of state and accreditation
regulations and academic comparability, students may apply to
have credit awarded through completion of:
•Transfer Credit: Transfer credit toward
a degree may be awarded for postsecondary courses completed by
the student at other institutions if such courses are found to
meet the standards and requirements of the specific program. Transfer
credit must be from an appropriately accredited institution. Credit
transfer will not be denied solely on the source of accreditation
of the sending institution.
•Portfolio Credit: A demonstration of
college-level learning to earn course credit for professional
and life experience. Credit may be given for adequately documented
and validated experiential equivalent learning of a postsecondary
nature. Examples include credit for learning acquired through
business experience, college level equivalent tests, achievement
in a related profession, or other postsecondary level equivalent
experience. Students with prior military experience may also apply
to have military coursework and documentation evaluated for possible
equivalent college credit.
Portfolio credit is not available for the Master of Science in
Taxation (MST) program.
M.Ed. students may apply to transfer up to a total of 15 units
of Transfer Credit (or a combination of transfer credit and experiential
or equivalent credit). A maximum of 7 units may be awarded for
adequately documented and validated Experiential or Equivalent
Credit.
Back to Top
Course Descriptions
EDU512 Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
(3 Units)
This core course reviews major social influences as they are applied
to current movements in educational instruction, research and
curriculum.
Prerequisites: None.
EDU504 Psychological Foundations of Education
(3 Units)
This core course studies psychological principles as related to
learning. Discussion on learning theory, motivation and quantitative
methods will be explored.
Prerequisites: None.
EDU521 Teaching & Learning (4 Units)
This core course explores models of teaching and learning theories,
cognition and curriculum design compatible with brain research.
Prerequisites: None.
EDU522 Assessment and Evaluation (3 Units)
This core course introduces the comprehensive assessment and accountability
systems and explores the role of multiple measures for increased
student learning.
Prerequisites: First Trimester Courses.
EDU513 Leadership (3 Units)
In this core course, the concepts of leadership and leadership
styles will be examined. This course also explores the various
concepts of effective management such as vision, shared leadership,
collaboration, facilitation, and communication.
Prerequisites: First Trimester Courses.
EDU520 Diversity (4 Units)
This core course examines diversity in society and in schools.
Emphasis is on understanding the similarities and differences
in culture, economic backgrounds and academic diversity, which
highlights the need for differentiation of instruction. .
Prerequisites: First Trimester Courses.
EDU528 Curriculum Design and Instructional Practices
(3 Units)
This elective course studies the theories of curriculum design
with emphasis on contemporary structures. Various program evaluation
methods will be explored.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU529 Early Childhood Education (3 Units)
This elective course provides an overview of the stages of development
and the learning strategies and assessment methods appropriate
for the young learner.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU524 Educational Finance & Human Resources
(3 Units)
This elective course provides an overview of public educational
funding and management of budgetary and human resources.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU525 Educational Technology (3 Units)
This elective course provides an introduction to instructional
design for electronic learning by providing a study of current
practices and emerging technologies.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU603 Fieldwork (1-6 Units)
This elective course consists of a planned field experience under
the supervision of an approved advisor. Fieldwork may include
experience in a variety of settings as an adjunct to the student’s
current employment. Enrollment in this course requires the permission
of the Academic Dean.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU523 Introduction to Educational Administration
(3 Units)
This elective course provides an overview of the knowledge, skills,
and conceptual awareness as related to current and future leadership
roles. Course objectives underscore a belief in the value of informed
"reflection on practice" both individually and collectively.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU530 Research (3 Units)
This elective course places an emphasis on types of research designs
and the skills in reviewing researched based programs and practices.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU527 Special Education (3 Units)
This elective course provides the legal and education framework
for identifying and serving special needs students of all ages.
Updates to the current Individuals with Disabilities Act will
be explored.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU526 Teaching Reading (3 Units)
This elective course explores the interrelated components of language
arts regarding listening, speaking, reading and writing. Emphasis
will be placed on research based key elements for successful readers.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU630 - Montessori Philosophy (4 Units)
This course focuses on the work of Maria Montessori (1870-1952),
the first female to graduate from Italian medical school (1896).
Her work as a physician led her to study children who were housed
in asylums at the time. From observations of these “deficient”
children she devised exercises that allowed them to perform on
an academic par with normal children. During this course students
will read extensively from Montessori’s own works. Although
these are published in book form, many are compilations of lectures
presented during public exhibitions and training courses. Contemporary
educational practices often echo much of Montessori’s philosophy
without giving credit to the woman who originated the method.
During this course, students will become familiar with Montessori’s
philosophy of education and integrate ways to implement it in
the contemporary setting.
EDU635 - Montessori Classroom Leadership (4
Units)
This course explores the integrated factors leading to effective
management of a Montessori classroom, with special emphasis on
the Montessori approach to discipline, observation, and communication.
Students will read from original publications by Montessori as
well as auxiliary material for developing and teaching effective
communication skills. Students will also have the opportunity
to devise a template for practicing observation and apply it to
videos of an actual Montessori classroom. During the course students
will analyze current systems for formal record keeping in a Montessori
classroom in order to develop a personal record-keeping method.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU640 - Application of Montessori Philosophy at the
Early Childhood Level (3 Units)
This course will focus on practical application of the Montessori
approach with children aged three through six years old. The student
will examine the scope and sequence of each curricular area of
the Montessori Early Childhood Classroom, learn the basic types
of lesson presentations utilized by Montessori teachers, and create
appropriate activities to incorporate in the approach. Students
will read extensively from original works by Montessori.
EDU645 - Application of Montessori Philosophy at the
Elementary Level (3 Units)
This course will focus on practical application of the curriculum
of a Montessori program at the elementary level for children aged
six through twelve years. Students will examine the scope and
sequence of each curricular area of the Montessori Elementary
classroom. Students will analyze Montessori’s concept of
“Cosmic Education,” which is the organizing principle
of learning at the elementary level. Students will read extensively
from original works by Montessori.
Back to Top
