Professional Education (M.Ed.)

Your Choice for Your Educator Goals

Students studying together around two tablesTrack - (M.Ed.) in Professional Education: As an educator, you have professional goals. This track allows you to customize for those professional goals while becoming an innovative educator. Students interested in this option may have just completed teacher certification, are interested in the Online Program Endorsement courses, or want the flexibility to take the courses to facilitate advancement.

Program Completion Requirements

Course completion (36 graduate credits) with minimum 3.0 QPA; Completed Plan of Study filed with the Graduate Office; Pass Comprehensive Assessment Portfolio review; apply for graduation and degree is conferred. See your adviser for clarification and updated changes for program clarification.

Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Why ESU?

• Customization honors your goals. People have different professional goals, and most programs cannot accommodate those differences. In this track the students, the student meets with their advisor to determine the best courses for the student to meet their goals.
• Courses are both in-person and online for flexibility. This hybrid program allows the student to choose courses based on their learning needs. This flexibility provides enough choices that a student could complete all their classes online, through distance learning if chosen!
• Most graduate teacher preparation courses can be applied. If a student just finished their teacher certification courses at the graduate level, most graduate courses can be applied.
• ESU dedicates itself to the diversity, equity, and belonging of all students and pursues ways to make that happen.
• ESU technology enhances learning experiences. PSED collaborates with schools so their innovative work is grounded in practical application. They use technology to improve learning.

What You'll Learn

• Students become innovative educators in their field of interest by analyzing systems and designing inventive educational environments to meet diverse needs. The meaningful work develops an education master.
• Students create robust strategic plans after analyzing learning, curriculum, data, equity law and professional ethics.
• Students gain beginning educator leadership skills needed. With confidence, the students build a digital portfolio to demonstrate the competencies of their learning.

Steps - Application to Graduation

1. Apply: Apply to the Graduate Program in Professional and Secondary Education, and if you can, identify your track. If you are unsure at this time, your track can be determined later with discussion with your adviser.
2. Start: Once you are accepted into the program, complete a couple of core courses or contact a PSED adviser to discuss your career goals.
3. Plan of Study: After taking 9-12 credits, meet with your adviser to assist you to complete the Plan of Study form with your graduate advisor. Your signed Plan of Study will be sent by email. Please retain the Plan of Study for your records.
4. Comprehensive Assessment Portfolio: While you are completing your courses, gather artifacts, read and write reflections for your comprehensive assessment portfolio. The portfolio is a chance to highlight your unique professional perspectives. You will present your portfolio the last semester of your program.
   
   Please review the full document, and ask if you have questions:
   • See Master's and Graduate Certificate Handbook - Exit Portfolio Requirements & Reading List
   • Sample Portfolios: Migdalia Lira, Rebecca Carbin
5. Complete Courses on your Plan of Study or work with your adviser to make modifications.
6. Finishing Up - Last Semester
   • Apply for Graduation the beginning of your last semester.
   • Present your Comprehensive Assessment Portfolio: This is a time to display your learning, reflecting on your professional experiences. See Master's and Graduate Certificate Handbook - Exit Portfolio Requirements and contact the graduate coordinator. 
7. Walk in Graduate Graduation and CELEBRATE your acheivement!

Career Opportunities

Become a teacher implementing new pedagogies and gain career advancement in your district. Become a virtual teacher after taking the online endorsement courses

Graduates of the M.Ed. Professional Education program have earned positions as:

Research and Service Learning Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to research with professors on particular projects. For example, a graduate student Erik Litsch worked with Dr. Holben to identify sources in the literature that are relevant to preservice and inservice teacher knowledge of school law concepts.

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