Program Description

The Master of Arts degree in Education is designed to provide knowledge and skills for individuals required to function effectively in various positions of educational leadership. The MA degree in Education is designed for those teaching distance education to adults, working in educational administration, helping to design curriculum for educational institutions, or working as a corporate or military trainer. In addition, the program is appropriate for parents who home-school their children, teachers at private/charter schools, and those involved in various aspects of providing education from the Christian worldview. Before applying for admittance, those interested in the program should determine whether the degree will be accepted by their employer.

The MA degree in Education is not a certification program for public school teachers. It is not designed to qualify graduates for public school teaching certification or pay upgrades within public school systems. It is not acceptable by the South Carolina state government for employment or compensation purposes for public school teachers or administrators.

It is presumed that the student is already trained and qualified in the technical aspects of her or his field. Students may elect to focus their degree studies in a specific area by applying the learning activities and assessments to the area of focus in six EDU/LDR courses and the Integrative Learning Portfolio. Examples of focus areas include: adult education, training and development, educational administration, curriculum and instruction, teaching and learning, Christian education, higher education, and the like. Before applying for admittance, those interested in the program should determine whether the degree will be accepted by their employer.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Education is offered over four consecutive 12-week terms and one 8-week term. Students enroll in two courses each 12-week term, taught by highly qualified professors who are responsible to mentor and coach the student in terms of achieving the learning outcomes for each course. All academic content for each course, including eBooks and other learning materials, is easily accessed in the University Online Learning Management System. Printed materials and hard-copy books required for each term (as listed in the course syllabus and materials) should be ordered/purchased by the student upon registration for the term.

The Master of Arts in Education program is designed to broaden the educator’s perspectives through coursework, reflection, rigorous application, and dedicated one-on-one executive-style coaching. The resulting impact is immediate, profound, and sustainable.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Master of Arts degree in Education allows educators to delve more deeply into the theory and practice of teaching and learning. Students learn to incorporate technological tools into teaching curriculums, and adapt teaching methodologies to suit teaching styles and positions. The degree is ideal for those teaching distance education to adults, working in education administration, helping to design curriculum for educational institutions, or working as a corporate or military trainer. In addition, the program is appropriate for parents who home-school their children, teachers at Private/Charter Schools, and those involved in various aspects of providing a Christian Education.

Three goals direct the program learning outcomes: (1) provide a relevant curriculum that includes the sets of competencies that prepare students to meet the demands of current practice; (2) develop reflective practitioners capable of research-based decision-making; and (3) provide an environment that is conducive to a free exchange of ideas within a climate of respect.

Instructional Design and Format

The Master of Arts in Education is delivered in a unique distance learning mentoring format which enables students to complete the entire program in 14 months. All courses integrate work and learning experiences and are taught by faculty who are practitioners/scholars with significant educational experience.

The program consists of 35 required credits, which are delivered as eight (8) 4-credit courses in intensive twelve-week modules and one eight week, 3 credit Integrative Learning Portfolio course. Each course includes research, reflection, and experiential learning components. The Integrative Learning Portfolio involves the completion of an individual education reflection essay that demonstrates attainment of program learning outcomes, and an action research project that relates to a defined need of a sponsoring organization to include administration, program review, adult education, online education and training, or other approved educational needs.