2021-2022 School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog 
    
    Dec 04, 2024  
2021-2022 School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education


M.Ed. Program Description


The Master of Education program is designed to develop education leadership in such ways that will further learning, increase student success, and continuously improve schools. In keeping with the adopted NH State Standards for Professional Development, the INTASC Standards and the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), the Master of Education program at New England College is a rigorous, data‐driven, site‐based, classroom‐embedded program, tightly linked to improvement in student achievement.

Graduate students and NEC faculty work as a learning community to address real-world issues of teachers and schools. The program is offered to teachers who have already achieved licensure, individuals seeking additional licensure, individuals seeking initial licensure, and those interested in working with children and youth. Except for practical experiences such as student teaching, classes are online.  Online courses meet asynchronously with faculty through Blackboard and maintain a professional portfolio utilizing an online platform. A range of electives is offered during the year. The culminating activity for the program is an Action Research Project with results shared at a public presentation. For those seeking advanced licensure (such as School Superintendent and School Principal) the action research project must focus on a school or district-wide initiative. For those not seeking advanced licensure, the action research project can focus on a classroom challenge/issue.

For those seeking initial licensure as a teacher, please see Professional Educator Preparation Program .

A variety of concentrations and licensures as educational leaders (School Principal and School Superintendent) are offered through the MED and/or CAGS programs (note: School Superintendent is only offered through the CAGS program). To view the concentrations, please see the Graduate and Professional Studies Programs list.  

C.A.G.S. Program Description


The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) prepares educators who want to advance their careers through improved knowledge, increased skills and confidence, and become educational leaders. Educators gain the tools and knowledge to step into new roles and leadership opportunities that will make a difference in their classrooms, schools, and communities and reshape their careers.

M.Ed. and C.A.G.S. Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of the program, students will meet the following INTASC standards:

  • Standard #1: Learner Development

The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

  • Standard #2: Learning Differences

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

  • Standard #3: Learning Environments

The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

  • Standard #4: Content Knowledge

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

  • Standard #5: Application of Content

The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

  • Standard #6: Assessment

The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.

  • Standard #7: Planning for Instruction

The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

  • Standard #8: Instructional Strategies

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

  • Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice

The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

  • Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration

The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Please note, those seeking licensure will also meet New Hampshire State licensure standards aligned with their intended licensure.

 Licensure


Students seeking advanced licensure in School Superintendent and School Principal can acquire the required academic credentials through these programs. The graduate Education Program aspires to the INTASC standards for teachers, New Hampshire State licensure standards and ISLLC standards.

School Principal

Those seeking Principal licensure must have the following entry level requirements to be certified as a Principal:

  1. Have completed at least 5 years’ experience as an educator; and
  2. One of the following:
    1. Completed a master’s program in educational leadership or a related area approved by the state board of education and been recommended for this certification by the designated official of the preparing collegiate department of education; or
    2. Completed a master’s program in education and demonstrated:
      1. The competencies, skills, and knowledge as listed in (c) below; or
      2. Experience in comparable educational leadership positions in education or other professions as specified in Ed 505.03

(http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/ed500.html)

School Superintendent

Those seeking Superintendent licensure must have the following entry level requirements to be certified as superintendent: 

  1. Have completed at least 3 years of experience as an education administrator in a k-12 setting;
  2. Have completed a state board of education approved educational administration collegiate program at the post-master’s certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS), educational specialist, or doctoral level; and
  3. Have acquired the competencies, skills, and knowledge itemized in (d) below through experience in comparable leadership positions in education or other professions if qualifying under Ed 505.03, Alternative 3: Demonstrated Competencies and Equivalent Experiences.

(http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/ed500.html)

Please note, those seeking licensure will also meet New Hampshire State licesnure standards aligned with their intended licesnure. It is also important to note that candidates for School Principal and School Superintendent must meet eligibility requirements as stated by the New Hampshire State Department of Education, Bureau of Credentialing.

Programs

    Major
    Licensure Track

    Courses