Students electing the Montessori Educator's track
will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Montessori
educational theories and applications.
The University acts to fulfill the purposes of the Master of
Education Program through appropriate coursework, coupled with
continuing direction, evaluation of student progress, and regular
assessment of student learning outcomes, supervised and administered
by qualified faculty.
The Master of Education 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 Master of Education 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 2 month 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.
Directed 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 members support the student’s
independent-study learning role by guiding and stimulating the
learning process in one-on-one interaction. Our faculty members recognize individual learning styles and needs, 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.
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 |
| EDU507 |
Educational Finance |
4 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. 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 |
$75 |
| 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 |
Late Payment Fee
(Returned Check/Declined Credit Card/ACH) (Per Item)
|
$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 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.
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
It may be necessary for applicants who have attended colleges or universities outside of the United States to obtain an evaluation of their education from a credential evaluation service approved by the University. Upon request, the Admissions Office will provide a list of approved evaluators. In addition, 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 530 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 71 on the iBT, or its equivalent.
For more information on TOEFL visit the website: www.ets.org/toefl
Transfer Credit and Portfolio 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 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:
EDU504 Psychological Foundations of Education
(3 Units)
This 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
EDU507 Educational Finance (4 Units)
This course provides an overview of the economic theories of institutional
finance. Emphasis is on the management and evaluation of fiscal
operations in an institutional setting.
Prerequisites: Second Trimester Courses.
EDU525 Educational Technology (3 Units)
This 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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