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Statement of Purpose

The Master of Arts offered through the School of Education leads to Class A certification in the areas of early childhood and/or elementary education. An alternative certification program is available in early childhood education or elementary education. This program applies only to persons who have completed baccalaureate degrees in non-education programs from accredited colleges or universities.

The goal of the programs is to prepare scholars whose professional roles will include the achievement of knowledge, the improvement of practices in their professions, and effective leadership. Studies in the area of curriculum and teaching, humanistic and behavioral studies, and evaluation of teaching and learning have been designed as a common curriculum core for each of the degree audits. Specific objectives of the program are to:

1. Introduce students to methods of scholarly research;
2. Contribute to increased competency in teaching;
3. Provide and promote the spirit as well as the methods of creative work in educational, social, and spiritual maturation;
4. Offer a liberal education with sufficient opportunities in specialized education to prepare students to serve with professional competence in various careers; and
5. Furnish a sound basis for further graduate study.

Criteria for Admission

A student seeking admission to graduate study should address all inquiries to the office of graduate programs. The completed application and supporting documents should be received at least three weeks prior to the date on which the student wishes to enter. Applicants for the Alternative Class A certification should see the appropriate program section of this catalog for specific requirements. Applicants may be admitted in one of the following categories.

Unconditional Admission

To qualify for unconditional admission, the student must:

1. Hold a bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (Education requires 60 hours of general studies courses and may require certain deficiency courses for students seeking Alternative Certification.);
2. File the application for admission to the office of graduate programs and furnish the various materials listed in the instructions;
3. Pay a non-refundable application fee;
4. Furnish two official transcripts from each institution attended, showing all credits previously earned;
5. Have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale;
6. Submit a satisfactory official report of test scores obtained on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), acquiring a total of at least 290 GRE score on the verbal and quantitative sections and a score of at least 3 on the analytical writing section. A GRE score must be no older than five years;
7. Provide a copy of teaching certificate (if applicable);
8. UM students entering program after earning a Class B teaching certificate have only ONE semester (max: 15 hours) to provide a copy of their Class B certificate to stay enrolled;
9. Write an acceptable essay; and
10. Successfully complete the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP) and the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge Test (Alternative Certification Program).

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be granted to:

1. An applicant who has scored lower than 290 on the GRE and a score of no less than 2 on the analytical writing section.
2. Have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.

A student granted conditional admission to graduate studies may be considered for unconditional admission after completion of nine semester hours of approved graduate work at the University of Mobile with grades of “B” or better and a recommendation from the graduate advisor. Alternative A Certification students must have passing scores on the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP) and the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge Test within first nine graduate semester hours.

A student who is granted conditional admission is expected to make grades of “B” or better. A student who falls below this requirement will be subject to academic suspension.

Appeals may be made to the vice president for academic affairs, the dean of the School of Education, and the area graduate faculty.

Alabama State Department of Education policies mandate a maximum limit of FIVE graduate courses prior to unconditional admission into a program leading to Class A certification.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six hours of graduate credit earned from another regionally accredited institution may be considered as part of the master degree program; however, additional hours for the alternative certification program may be considered. Transfer credit must be approved by the dean of the School of Education, the certification officer, the office of graduate programs, and the vice president for academic affairs. Also see statements made earlier in the general academic section of this catalog.

Readmission

A student returning after not being registered for one or more regular terms (fall or spring) must reenter in the graduate program currently in effect.

Eligibility Criteria for Master of Arts in Elementary Education/ Early Childhood Education

Students planning to complete a teacher education program should be aware of various state laws and regulations governing teacher certification. Although the administration of the University of Mobile attempts to incorporate all such laws and regulations within the programs described in this catalog, there always exists the possibility that the State Board of Education will take action on teacher certification matters after the catalog has been published. Students are encouraged to discuss teacher certification with their advisors on a regular basis.

Comprehensive Examination

Students must register to take the comprehensive examinations during the academic period (semester) prior to graduation. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination is required of all candidates seeking a master’s degree. The comprehensive examination will include information from the following program areas: curriculum and teaching, humanistic and behavioral studies, research and evaluation, and the professional area.

The comprehensive examination must be given no later than three weeks before the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred. If a candidate fails the comprehensive examination, a second examination may be taken only with the approval of curriculum area faculty and the dean of the School of Education. The second examination may be written, oral, or both as determined by the curriculum area faculty. After two failures, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Alternative Certification Program for Master of Arts in Elementary Education/ Early Childhood Education

The University of Mobile offers alternative certification graduate programs leading to Class A certification in early childhood education and elementary education. This program is available for baccalaureate degree majors who are seeking certification in early childhood or elementary education. The major for the baccalaureate degree must be in a content area approved for certification by the Alabama State Board of Education (ASBE), and must have a 2.5 GPA or higher.

Unconditional Admission

Students seeking certification in an area other than their undergraduate degree may be required to take certain deficiency courses prior to unconditional admission to the graduate program. Students must meet all requirements the last day of the academic period (semester) prior to the internship. To qualify for unconditional admission the student must:

1. Hold a bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;
2. File the application for admission to the office of graduate programs and furnish the various materials listed in the instructions;
3. Pay a non-refundable application fee;
4. Furnish two official transcripts from each institution attended, showing all credits previously earned;
5. Have an overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale of all undergraduate courses including deficiency courses;
6. Submit a satisfactory, official report of test scores obtained on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), acquiring a total of at least 290 on the verbal and quantitative sections and no less than 3 on the analytical writing section. The score must be no older than five years;
7. Complete 60 semester hours of general studies courses, including 12 semester hours each of English language arts, social sciences, math, and science; (NOTE: up to six hours of math and four hours of science may be waived upon verification of passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge Test;
8. Complete deficiency courses; including passing scores on the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP); and on the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge Test.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be granted to:

1. An applicant who has not met the deficiency course requirements* (Only 9 graduate hours may be taken prior to completion of deficiency courses and passing scores on the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP) and the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge Test;
2. An applicant who has not completed 60 hours of general studies courses; and
3. An applicant who has scored lower than 290 on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections and a score of no less than 2 on the analytical writing section.

*Deficiency courses may be found in the School of Education Graduate Teacher Education Handbook.

Fingerprinting

Prior to unconditional admission to the Teacher Education Program, alternative certification student’s fingerprints must be submitted. The fingerprints will be checked by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If one has ever been “arrested for, convicted of, or enter a plea of no contest to a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation,” the record will be reviewed by the State Superintendent of the Department of Education prior to student teaching.

Course Offerings

Please see the Course Descriptions  sections of this catalog for Graduate level course listings.

Programs

• Alternative Early Childhood Education, M.A.
• Alternative Elementary Education, M.A.
• Early Childhood Education, M.A.
• Elementary and Early Childhood Education, M.A.
• Elementary Education, M.A.

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