Master of Education (MED)
Melanie Agnew, Dean
Peggy Cain, Program Director
Admission to the Master of Education Program
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a flexible degree enabling educators and future
educators to develop their expertise in an area of interest. Students develop skills
in the methods of teaching and deepen their understanding of crucial “why” questions
in educational practice. Students research an area of interest through action research
or a qualitative research project in order to improve their own practice as educators
and contribute to the wider field of education.
Program Options
- Traditional Master of Education (MEd)
- MEd with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement
- MEd with Special Education Endorsement
- MEd with Special Education License (mild/moderate or severe)
- MEd with Adult Learning Certificate
- MEd with Trauma, Resilience and Restorative Justice Specialization
Philosophy Statement
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program at Westminster College is committed to improving education through meaningful inquiry and innovative exploration of the connections between educational practice, values, and local/national/global contexts for learning. We emphasize a strong foundation in theory and active and engaged learning that incorporates students’ experiences.
The standards of the curriculum reflect the School of Education’s commitment to provide a well-rounded education congruent with the needs of master teachers and other instructional professionals. These standards include:
Pedagogy: Students will design, facilitate, and assess learning while demonstrating knowledge of relevant theoretical foundations and the interactions of individual, group, and societal contexts for teaching and learning.
Research: Students will plan projects, search relevant professional databases, collect data through interviews and other applicable methods, analyze data, and complete and disseminate findings.Critical thinking: Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts, events, and other positions, before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
Creativity: Students will combine or synthesize new ideas, practices, or expertise in original ways that are characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Collaboration: Students will will demonstrate self-awareness, understanding of effective group dynamics, and project management skills.
Communication: Students will communicate ideas to audiences in oral, visual, and written forms to establish knowledge, to increase understanding, or to advocate for a particular position.
Global Responsibility: Students will (i) employ practices informed by social responsibility across the spectrum of differences and (ii) demonstrate knowledge of and evaluate solutions for, educational challenges affecting local, regional, and global communities.
Program Description
Those teaching adults or administering educational programs for adults may earn an Adult Learning Certificate. This coursework can emphasize higher education, corporate training and workplace learning, continuing professional education, educational policy-making, and other related areas.
Trauma, Resilience, and Restorative Justice track is valuable for any education-related professional who seeks to understand the impacts of trauma on people and how institutions can utilize restorative practices to create effective and healing learning environments.
Licensed K-12 educators can enhance their teaching effectiveness with an endorsement:
- Teaching English as a Second Language Endorsement
- Special Education second license (K-12 Mild-moderate or Severe)
Coursework for all endorsements and certificates taken for graduate credit counts toward an M.Ed.
Note: Should the Utah State Board of Education change its requirements for teaching endorsements, the Master of Education requirements will change accordingly.
Classes in the M.Ed. program provide active, hands-on opportunities to learn and connect course work to students’ teaching or work settings.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 32 credit hours is required for graduation. A maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level transcripted credit may be accepted from another accredited college or university. The accepted coursework must fall within the guidelines of Westminster’s Graduate Program in Education.
Although a minimum of 32 credit hours is required, students may desire, or need to complete, additional hours to enhance their graduate degree. Planning this graduate degree program is the responsibility of students in collaboration with their advisors.
Certain Master of Business Administration courses may meet graduate education program requirements. Students should consult with their education advisors for specific information and refer to the MBA sections of this catalog for course descriptions.
Retention in the Program
School of Education courses may only be repeated once.
The student must:
- Design and file an acceptable program plan with the Director of the Master of Education program.
- Maintain a grade point average of 3.00. Courses in which a grade of C- or lower is awarded do not count toward graduation requirements. A grade of C- or lower in two courses will result in dismissal from the program. School of Education courses may only be repeated once; a grade of C- or lower on the retake will result in dismissal from the program. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.
- Complete the program within six years, or begin to lose credit for courses older than
six years.
Graduation Requirements
Candidates for graduation should apply to the Registrar’s Office approximately two regular semesters prior to planned completion of graduation requirements. Applications for December graduation are due in March and applications for May and August graduation are due in September. Please see the Academic Calendar for more specific dates. Candidates are notified of remaining degree requirements within four weeks after applying for graduation.
To be eligible for a master’s degree or graduate certificate, students must satisfy the following conditions:
- Meet all credit hour and other course requirements.
- Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.
- Be enrolled at Westminster College during the semester in which they wish to graduate.
- Maintain good academic standing.
- Earn a grade of C or higher in all graduate courses.
Note: Only graduate-level coursework may be applied toward degree or certificate requirements.The final responsibility for being informed about, and adhering to, graduation requirements rests with the student.
Program Structure
Students have multiple curricular options in the M.Ed. program. Graduation requires a minimum of 32 credit hours for any option.
Master of Education
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Core Course | 3 | |
| MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning (3) OR MED 670 Adult Ed Foundations & Futures | ||
| II. Elective Courses | 21 | |
| Students may choose classes from the following: | ||
| MED 608 Special Topics (3) | ||
| MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning (3) | ||
| MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning and Development (3) | ||
| MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics (3) | ||
| MED 620 Diverse Language Learners, Family, and Community (3) | ||
| MED 621 Foundations of Multilingual Education (3) | ||
| MED 622 Language Acquisition and Development (3) | ||
| MED 630 Children’s/Adolescent Literature (3) | ||
| MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) | ||
| MED 635 Adult Ed Program Planning & Evaluation (3) | ||
| MED 652 Globalization of Education (3) | ||
| MED 653 Indigenous Knowledge and Lifeways (3) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 660 Directed Studies (1–3) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 661 Corporate Training & Workplace Learning (3) | ||
| MED 662 Administrative Leadership (3) | ||
| MED 665 Educational research Extension (1) | ||
| MED 666 Serious Gaming and Gamification (3) | ||
| MED 667 Online Teaching and Leadership (3) | ||
| MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma (3) | ||
| MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools (3) | ||
| MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools (3) | ||
| MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice (3) | ||
| MED 673 Internship/Teaching Practicum (1-3) | ||
| MACL 622 Program Planning & Evaluation (3) | ||
| III. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| TOTAL HOURS for the Master of Education | 32 |
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement with Master of Education
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language Courses
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | 18 | |
| This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and a bachelor’s degree, and are seeking to become qualified to be a TESOL teacher at the elementary or secondary level. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program. | ||
| MED 620 Diverse Language Learners, Family, and Community (3) | ||
| MED 621 Foundations of Multilingual Education (3) | ||
| MED 622 Language Acquisition and Development (3) | ||
| MED 623 Instructional Methods for Diverse Language Learners (3) | MED 622 as pre or co-requisite | |
| MED 624 Content Instruction for Diverse Language Learners (3) | MED 622 | |
| MED 625 Assessment for Diverse Language Learners (3) | MED 622 | |
| II. Core Course | 3 | |
| MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning (3) OR MED 670 Adult Ed Foundations & Futures | ||
| III. Elective Course | 3 | |
| Students may choose classes from the following: | ||
| MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning (3) | ||
| MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning and Development (3) | ||
| MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics (3) | ||
| MED 630 Literature and Info Texts K-12 (3) | ||
| MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) | ||
| MED 635 Adult Ed Program Planning and Evaluation (3) | ||
| MED 652 Globalization of Education (3) | ||
| MED 653 Indigenous Knowledge and Lifeways (3) | ||
| MED 660 Directed Studies (1–3) | ||
| MED 665 Educational Research Extension (1) | ||
| MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma (3) | ||
| MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools (3) | ||
| MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools (3) | ||
| MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice (3) | ||
| MACL 622 Program Planning and Evaluation (3) | ||
| IV. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| TOTAL HOURS for Teaching English as a Second Language Endorsement with Master of Education | 32 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement with Master of Education
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | MED 620 MED 621 |
MED 622 MED 623 |
MED 650 Elective |
| Year 2 |
MED 679 |
MED 680 |
Special Education Endorsement with Master of Education
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Special Education Endorsement (SPED) | 24 | |
| Students who select this area of specialization must hold a teaching license and complete the full Special Education Endorsement program. Students may choose to complete the endorsement in either Mild/Moderate or Severe Special Education. Graduates will be licensed to teach K–12 students with severe or mild to moderate disabilities. | ||
| SPED 503 Roles of the Special Educator (3) | ||
| SPED 508 Principles and Application of Special Education Assessment (3) | ||
| SPED 527 Technology for Teaching Exceptional Learners (2) | ||
| SPED 577 Facilitating Services Across Disciplines (3) | ||
| SPED 585 Behavioral Supports in Special Education (3) | ||
| SPED 590 Student Teaching in Special Education (4) | ||
| Students preparing for Mild/Moderate Special Education take: | ||
| SPED 535 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K–6 Mild/Moderate Special Education I (3) | ||
| SPED 540 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7–12 Mild/Moderate Special Education II (3) | ||
| Students preparing for Severe Special Education take: | ||
| SPED 536 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K–6 Severe Special Education I (3) | ||
| SPED 541 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7–12 Severe Special Education II (3) | ||
| II. Core Course | 3 | |
| MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) | ||
| III. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| Praxis Requirement: Students seeking Special Education licenses through the MED program must pass the Praxis test(s) required by the State of Utah before applying to student teach. See the Utah State Office of Education web site or the Director of Special Education Programs at Westminster for information on current Praxis requirements. | ||
| TOTAL HOURS for Special Education Endorsement with Master of Education | 35 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Special Education Endorsement with Master of Education
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | SPED 503 | SPED 508 SPED 535 or 536 |
SPED 577 |
| Year 2 |
SPED 585 |
SPED 527 |
MED 650 |
| Year 3 |
MED 679 |
MED 680 |
. |
Special Education License Mild/Moderate with Master of Education
Students who select this area of specialization must hold a teaching license in Severe Special Education. Graduates will be licensed to teach K–12 students with mild or moderate disabilities.
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Special Education License Severe | 15 | |
| SPED 527 Technology for Teaching Exceptional Learners (2) | ||
| SPED 535 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K–6 Mild/Mod Special Education I (3) | ||
| SPED 540 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7–12 Mild/Moderate Special Education II (3) | ||
| *SPED 577 Facilitating Services Across Disciplines (3) | ||
| SPED 590 Student Teaching in Special Education (4) | ||
| *This course may be transferred in if already taken as part of the Severe Special Education license. | ||
| II. Math and Literacy Methods | 7 | |
| MAT 633 Elementary Math Methods (3) | MAT 630, 631 | |
| MAT 663 Literacy Foundations, Assessment, and Instruction (4) | ||
| III. Core Course | 3 | |
| MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) | ||
| IV. Electives | 1 | |
| Students may choose from MED and SPED courses to complete this elective requirement in consultation with their MED advisor. | ||
| V. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| Praxis Requirement: Students seeking Special Education licenses through the MED program must pass the Praxis test(s) required by the State of Utah before applying to student teach. See the Utah State Office of Education web site or the Director of Special Education Programs at Westminster for information on current Praxis requirements. | ||
| TOTAL HOURS for Special Education License Mild/Moderate with Master of EducationRequires passing score on appropriate Praxis Test before student is recommended for licensure. | 34 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Special Education License Mild/Moderate with Master of Education
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | SPED 540 | SPED 536 MED 606 |
SPED 577 |
| Year 2 |
Elective(s) |
SPED 527 |
MED 650 |
| Year 3 |
MED 679 |
MED 680 |
. |
Special Education License Severe with Master of Education
Students who select this area of specialization must hold a teaching license in Mild/Moderate Special Education. Graduates will be licensed to teach K–12 students with severe disabilities.
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Special Education License Severe | 15 | |
| SPED 527 Technology for Teaching Exceptional Learners (2) | ||
| SPED 536 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K–6 Severe Special Education I (3) | ||
| SPED 541 Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7–12 Severe Special Education II (3) | ||
| *SPED 577 Facilitating Services Across Disciplines (3) | ||
| SPED 590 Student Teaching in Special Education (4) | ||
| First Aid/CPR certification (non-credit) | ||
| *This course may be transferred in if already taken as part of the Mild/Moderate Special Education license. | ||
| II. Core Course | 3 | |
| MED 606 Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3) | ||
| III. Electives | 8 | |
| Students may choose from MED and SPED courses to complete this elective requirement in consultation with their MED advisor. | ||
| IV. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| Praxis Requirement: Students seeking Special Education licenses through the MED program must pass the Praxis test(s) required by the State of Utah before applying to student teach. See the Utah State Office of Education web site or the Director of Special Education Programs at Westminster for information on current Praxis requirements. | ||
| TOTAL HOURS for Special Education License Severe with Master of EducationRequires passing score on appropriate Praxis Test before student is recommended for licensure. | 34 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Special Education License Severe with Master of Education
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | SPED 541 | SPED 536 MED 606 |
SPED 577 |
| Year 2 |
Elective(s) |
SPED 527 |
MED 650 |
| Year 3 |
MED 679 |
MED 680 |
. |
Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of Master of Education
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Adult Learning Certificate (ALC) | 15 | |
| This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and are seeking to become qualified as specialists with a broad knowledge of adult learning. This is particularly suited to those in educational or training positions who work directly with adults. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program. | ||
| MED 670 Adult Education Foundations and Futures (3) | ||
| MED 613 Theories of Adult Learning and Development (3) | ||
| MED 634 Teaching Adults (3) | ||
| MED 635 Adult Education Program Planning and Evaluation (3) OR MACL 622 Program Planning and Evaluation (3) | ||
| MED 667 Online Teaching and Learning (3) | ||
| II. Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Students may choose classes from the following: | ||
| MED 608 Special Topics (3) | ||
| MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning (3) | ||
| MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics (3) | ||
| MED 622 Language Acquisition and Development (3) | ||
| MED 652 Globalization of Education (3) | ||
| MED 653 Indigenous Knowledges & Lifeways (3) | ||
| MED 660 Directed Studies (1–3) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 661 Corporate Training & Workplace Learning (3) | ||
| MED 662 Administrative Leadership (3) | ||
| MED 665 Educational Research Extension (1) | ||
| MED 666 Serious Gaming and Gamification (3) | ||
| MED 667 Online Teaching and Learning (3) | ||
| MED 668 Instructional Design Foundations (3) | ||
| MED 673 Internship/Teaching Practicum (1-3) | ||
| MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma (3) | ||
| MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools (3) | ||
| MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools (3) | ||
| MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice (3) | ||
| III. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| TOTAL HOURS Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of Master of Education | 32 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of Master of Education
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | MED 613 MACL 622 |
MED 634 MED 670 |
MED 667 MED 6501 elective |
| Year 2 |
MED 6791 elective |
MED 6801 elective |
. |
Trauma, Resilience, and Restorative Justice followed by completion of Master of Education
| Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
| I. Trauma and Restorative Justice Core | 15 | |
| This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified as specialists within educational settings with expertise in trauma and restorative practices. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program. | ||
| MED 639 Neuroscience of Trauma (3) | ||
| MED 640 Trauma-informed Schools (3) | ||
| MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools (3) OR MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice (3) | ||
| MED 643 Research in Risk and Resilience (3) | ||
| MED 644 Arts and Movement for Trauma (2) | ||
| MED 645 Self-Care for Secondary Trauma (1) | ||
| II. Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Students may choose classes from the following: | ||
| MED 608 Special Topics (3) | ||
| MED 610 Sociocultural Contexts for Learning (3) | ||
| MED 615 Education, Schools and Politics (3) | ||
| MED 653 Indigenous Knowledges & Lifeways (3) | ||
| MED 660 Directed Studies (1–3) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 665 Educational Research Extension (1) | ||
| MED 673 Internship/Teaching Practicum (1-3) | ||
| MED 647 Juvenile Justice (3) | ||
| MED 648 Advocacy Under the Dome (3) | ||
| MED 646 Writing for Trauma Healing (1) | ||
| MED 641 Restorative Justice in Schools (3) | ||
| MED 642 Foundations of Restorative Justice (3) | ||
| MED 649 Community Justice (3) | ||
| MED 638 Justice in Everyday Life (3) | ||
| MACL 618 Facilitation & Negotiation (1) | ||
| MACL 622 Program Planning and Evaluation (3) | ||
| MACL 624 Leadership, Conflict and Change (2) | ||
| MPH 530 Principles of Epidemiology (3) | ||
| MPH 630 Statistical Methods in Public Health (3) | ||
| III. Project | 8 | |
| MED 650 Introduction to Research Methods (2) | consent of instructor | |
| MED 679 Research Methodologies (3) | MED 650 | |
| MED 680 Research Project (3) | MED 679 | |
| TOTAL HOURS Trauma, Resilience and Restorative Justice followed by completion of Master of Education | 32 |