Graduation Requirements:
The 30 credit hour Master of Arts in Education requires:
- 12 credit hours in the Education core
- 18 credit hours in a concentration area
- Complete coursework with at least a B in each course
Required Education Core Courses (12 hours):
Choose One Concentration (18 hours)
Leadership in Education Administration:
The Leadership in Education Administration program from West Liberty University will prepare students for employment as school principals, supervisors of instruction, and superintendent licensure, at a time when turnover in these areas is increasing in WV.
Multi-Categorical Special Education with Autism Certification:
This area is designed for individuals desiring a comprehensive overview of special education. Incorporating practical, classroom-based experiences and assignments, coursework prepares educators with the knowledge and skills to educate students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, and emotional behavior disorders. The West Virginia Department of Education offers an additional certification in Multi Categorical Special Education to applicants holding an initial Professional Teaching Certificate in elementary education or secondary English, Math, Science, or Social Studies by passing the WV state licensure test.
Required:
| SPED 520 | Collaborative Teaching | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Policies, Procedures and Current Issues of SPED | 3 |
| SPED 548 | Advanced Assessment & Instruction for Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPED 552 | Advanced Assessment & Instruction for Students with Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 555 | Advanced Assessment & Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 564 | Practicum | 3 |
Additional requirements for traditional certification along with a robust undergraduate general studies curriculum
(not required for M.A.Ed. degree or qualified educators who pass the WV state licensure test):
Reading Specialist:
This area is designed for educators or others wishing to expand upon their knowledge of literacy with a special emphasis on multi-sensory based instructional practices. Incorporating field-based experiences, coursework includes early and emergent literacy, word structure knowledge, delivery of reading assessments with resulting targeted interventions, advanced literacy instruction in comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary acquisition, developmental writing, and spelling. West Virginia certification as a Reading Specialist requires completion of the six reading courses, a master’s degree, and passing the WV state licensure test. This program is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
Required:
| READ 512 | Advanced Literacy Assessment | 3 |
| READ 562 | Structured Literacy & Phonics | 3 |
| READ 563 | Meth & Pract of Multisen Instr | 3 |
| READ 564 | Structured Literacy Practicum | 3 |
| READ 565 | Advanced Methods of Multi-sensory Instruction | 3 |
| READ 575 | Advanced Literacy Instruction | 3 |
Leadership Studies:
This area prepares professionals for leadership positions within their chosen profession and the understanding of why and how great leaders flourish in society. Coursework includes leadership theories, human relations of leadership, organizational structure, politics within an organization, understanding employee characteristics, and application to practical, real-life leadership opportunities.
Required:
| EDL 500 | Leadership Theory & Motivation | 3 |
| EDL 520 | Human Resource & Person Issues | 3 |
| EDL 531 | Organizational Politics | 3 |
| EDL 557 | Creative Leaders & Innovative Thinkers | 3 |
| EDL 589 | Community Collaboration | 3 |
Elective
| | 3 |
Elective: Instructor Approved
Sports Leadership and Coaching:
This area is an online format and is designed for individuals working or desiring to work in school, university, and community sports programs. Coursework includes the understanding of key issues involved in educational athletics and further developing leadership and coaching skills.
Required:
Choose two (2) from the following: (6 hours)
Recommended for Coaching:
Recommended for Administration:
Community Education Research and Leadership:
This area prepares individuals in becoming professional educators, researchers, and leaders in non-formal environments and non-profit organizations. Coursework includes fundraising and development, non-profit management, non-formal education models, and prepares individuals to improve community relationships and involvement in non-formal and/or non-profit organizations.
Required:
Leadership in Disability Services:
This area is designed for anyone who seeks a leadership role or additional preparation for working with individuals with disabilities. Incorporating practical experiences and assignments, coursework prepares candidates to identify the needs, evaluate the programs, develop future goals, advocate for improved outcomes, and serve in leadership roles to support individuals with disabilities.
Required:
| EDL 557 | Creative Leaders & Innovative Thinkers | 3 |
| EDUC 558 | Fundraising and Development | 3 |
| EDUC 559 | Advocacy, Communication & Public Policy | 3 |
Select 1 from:
Select 2 from:
| SPED 501 | Autism I: Character of Autism | 3 |
| SPED 502 | Autism II: Assess & Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 541 | Characteristics of Students with High Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 548 | Advanced Assessment & Instruction for Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| SPED 551 | Policies, Procedures and Current Issues of SPED | 3 |
| SPED 552 | Advanced Assessment & Instruction for Students with Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 553 | Intro to Student Who is Gifted | 3 |
| SPED 554 | Education & Curriculum for Gifted | 3 |
| SPED 555 | Advanced Assessment & Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities | 3 |
Innovative Instruction:
This area is designed for educators who desire to learn innovative, research-based instructional methods and create classrooms that prepare PK-12 students for their future. Incorporating practical, classroom-based experiences and assignments, coursework includes authentic assessment, data-driven decision-making, learner-centered activities, digital literacy, instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, and opportunities to empower creative and collaborative problem solving in the PK-12 classroom.
Required:
| EDUC 534 | Contemporary Applications of Educational Technology | 3 |
| EDL 543 | Creating a Culture of Innovation | 3 |
| EDL 553 | Advanced Instructional Models | 3 |
| EDL 557 | Creative Leaders & Innovative Thinkers | 3 |
| Graduate Electives in EDUC or SPED | 6 |
Endorsements
Autism Endorsement
The West Virginia Department of Education offers an Autism Endorsement to applicants holding a Professional Teaching Certificate endorsed in Emotional/Behavior Disorders; Multi Categorical Special Education; Mental Impairments (Mild/Moderate); Severe Disabilities; or Pre-School Special Needs. The Autism Endorsement requires six credit-hours in Autism courses, which include face-to-face classes held during the summer at the WLU Highlands Center, participation in online components, and field experience in an approved setting with individuals diagnosed with autism.
Required:
| SPED 501 | Autism I: Character of Autism | 3 |
| SPED 502 | Autism II: Assess & Intervention | 3 |
Gifted Education Endorsement
The West Virginia Department of Education offers a Gifted Education Endorsement to applicants holding an initial Professional Teaching Certificate in elementary education or secondary English, Math, Science, or Social Studies by passing the WV state licensure test. The six credit-hours of gifted courses are online and support educators in preparing for the licensure test.
Required:
| SPED 553 | Intro to Student Who is Gifted | 3 |
| SPED 554 | Education & Curriculum for Gifted | 3 |