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1. What is the difference between the M.Ed. and the MAT programs at Converse?
The MAT program is designed for those who are pursuing initial certification within a master's degree program while the M.Ed. program is for already certified teachers. The M.Ed. is offered in five separate tracks: secondary (English, mathematics, natural sciences, and social studies), art education, special education, elementary education, and gifted education.
2. What if I have had some of the required courses in my undergraduate program?
If the adviser confirms that the course is indeed “equivalent,” you may be able to waive this particular course requirement—or substitute a graduate elective course if you need the graduate credit hours in a given category for the M.Ed. degree. You will need to complete 36 graduate hours to meet degree requirements.
3. What is the story on transfer courses?
If you have had previous graduate courses (up to nine semester hours) within five years of beginning your M.Ed degree, and the adviser determines that these are appropriate courses for your particular M.Ed. degree curriculum, such courses may be transferred into your Converse graduate degree program. The courses must be from an accredited institution with grades of “A” or “B.”
4. Converse sponsors several “off-campus” courses through school district professional development programs. May these be used as part of the M.Ed. degree?
Yes, if they are determined to be appropriate within your particular M.Ed. degree curriculum. Students admitted to the M.Ed. degree program after January 1, 2005 are limited to two such off-campus graduate offerings
5. Am I eligible for scholarships or loans?
There are various loan programs for teachers who are a) accepted into a degree program and b) are enrolled half time or more. Half time is defined as two courses in the fall, one course in the Winter Term, and two courses in the spring. To be eligible in the summer, graduate students must take one 3-hour course in both the first and second summer sessions to meet the half-time minimum requirement for loan eligibility .
Check with the Financial
Assistance Office in Carnegie Hall for further
details (phone 596-9019).
6. Is there a set sequence for the curriculum?
There is not a set sequence in the curriculum, although some courses have prerequisites which are noted in the Graduate Catalog. We are presently aligning degree requirements with the five principles established for national board certification, and your adviser will help you determine how those principles should help guide you in course selection.
7. How long will the M.Ed. program take to complete?
That depends. Most candidates in the M.Ed. program are working teachers who take courses in the evening and summer. Full-time teachers usually take two or three courses during the academic year and four or five in the summer. We require you to complete all of your coursework over a five-year time span, starting with the first Converse course that is part of your M.Ed. curriculum. Students may begin their coursework in any semester or summer term.
8. I am pursuing the M.Ed. in elementary education and see that I have to take two courses in Area IV-liberal arts. What courses count in this area of the M.Ed. program?
Generally speaking, courses in academic disciplines outside of Education and Special Education. For example, students may take graduate courses (500 level and above) in psychology, sociology, English, history and politics, art, mathematics, or the sciences.
9. What if I am certified in one area (e.g., elementary education) but want to do my M.Ed. in another area (e.g., special education or a secondary content area)? Do I have to meet the certification requirements in the new area?
Most people who take their M.Ed. in a new area are attempting to add that area to their certification. Consequently, we make sure those students do take all of the courses specified for add-on certification as part of their M.Ed. degree curriculum. This coursework prepares the student for the Praxis exam required for the additional certification area. There is no Praxis exam in the gifted education track, however.
10. Are course schedules and registration procedures available on line?
Yes. Visit the online Registrar at http://www.converse.edu/Academics/Registrar/registrarOffice.html
for a listing of courses. Students may register by mail by sending in a registration form available from the Graduate Studies Office. Call 864-596-9220 or e-mail
jill.feist@Converse.edu for a registration form.
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