Program Details
Total Credit Hours
30 credit hours
Program Length
12 months
Students may attend three semesters (Fall, Spring and Summer) split into two eight-week terms (A term and B term). This gives you six options in which to start the program. Students typically take one or two courses per term, depending on whether they want to graduate in one, two or more years. There is flexibility in the program to adjust to individual needs of pacing as work demands and graduate school are balanced to fit the graduate student’s life.
Mode
Hybrid: A blend of online and in-person. The program of study includes courses with embedded field experiences as well as one dedicated course involving a semester long field experience.
Required Core Courses
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MAT 5220 Book Selections & Literature for Children/Adolescents
An exploration of the various genres of available literature for children and adolescents, including strategies for building literature programs and criteria for selecting quality literature. Required projects include building a bibliography of resources, as well as a portfolio of literature reviews. State standards 3, 4, & 5 will be addressed.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MAT 5221 Evaluation & Remediation of Reading Problems
An emphasis on preparing students to detect and diagnose reading difficulties and plan remediation for students in the elementary grades. This course will provide the student with an opportunity to acquire concepts related to Cumberland University’s common body of knowledge which encompasses the essential skills, understanding, and attitudes necessary for effective teaching. Specifically this course is designed to develop an understanding of various diagnostic measures used in the assessment of students’ reading difficulties and provide methodologies and research for planning remediation of students’ reading difficulties.
This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall & Summer Odd
Notes: Book Requirement
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MAT 5250 Building Literacy in the K-12 Classroom
Study of research into reading instruction and its effectiveness; emphasis on recent findings and implications for classroom methods and processes. Fee: $30.00
This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: Every semester in the “B” Term
Notes: Book Requirement
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MAT 5400 Advanced Assessment
This course covers educational assessment that improves the student and the school. A variety of assessment theories, models, and practices are presented. Applications of current data assessment methods are evaluated. This course will examine the key concepts, their applications in both Tennessee and nationally, and provide tools to improve assessment as a teacher or instructional leader within the school.
This course requires field experiences in a P-12 classroom during school hours. Pursuant to Tennessee law, a Criminal History Record Investigation (background check) must be on file in the University Licensure Office before field experiences can be authorized.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: Every semester in the “A” Term
Notes: Book Requirement
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MAT 5510 Introduction to Linguistics
This course is an introduction to the structure and function of the interrelated systems of phonology, syntax, pragmatics, and semantics in language. Participants will acquire the analytical skills to investigate linguistic situations and develop an awareness of instructional resources to use with diverse students.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MAT 5520 Instruction & Planning for English Language Learners
This course introduces participants to concepts and strategies that help them meet the unique needs of English language learners in today’s classrooms.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MAT 5540 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
This course will engage the candidates in the identification and development of effective instructional strategies used to teach all academic content areas.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5178 Practicum: Professional Learning & Growth
Practicum that is focused on designing, planning, and facilitating professional development activities using multiple sources of data. Candidates will complete 45 hours of seminar and field based experiences in a K-12 school environment.
Fee: $100.00
Credits: 3
Corequisite: MEd 5378
Offered: As needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5378 Professional Learning and Growth
This course is to prepare candidates to develop capacity of all educators by designing, planning, facilitating, and participating in collaborative professional learning using multiple sources of data.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Corequisite: MEd 5178
Offered:
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5399 Instructional Coaching
Candidates become familiar with a variety of program models to improve P-12 student performance through instructional coaching and assessment. The course presents the current research on best teaching practice and assessment.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring
Notes: Book Requirement
Graduation Requirements
Candidates must complete the following requirements to earn the Master of Education degree in Instructional Leadership at Cumberland University. Each candidate must successfully complete the required 30 semester hours of graduate coursework for the M.Ed. within seven calendar years from the date of entry as a degree-seeking student. All candidates must be in good academic standing to meet graduation requirements (see above). Each candidate must successfully complete the Oral Comprehensive Examination. A passing score for this examination is the equivalent of 80% or higher on each portion of the examination. Each candidate must receive the recommendation (approval) from the Graduate Studies Council of Cumberland University indicating this student to be representative of the high ideals of the graduate studies program of Cumberland University. Each candidate must file an Intent to Graduate form, pay the required graduation fees, and may participate in the Commencement Ceremonies. Participation is no longer required. Licensure Candidates must take and pass the Praxis SLLA exam prior to graduation.
Licensure-Only Option for Aspiring School Leaders
Candidates who have already obtained a Master’s degree in Education and wish to pursue “Licensure-only” can complete 18 minimum hours of the M.Ed. program, following a course of study designed with an advisor. Candidates must also pass the SLLA Praxis exam in order to be recommended for the Instructional Leadership License – Beginning (ILL-B). Licensure only candidates will be required to meet the same admission requirements and criteria as degree-seeking candidates. These requirements are set by the TN State Department of Education (SDE) and are required for all leadership candidates.