Master of Education Program

Requirements, Benchmark Worksheets, and Application Process

The Master of Education (MEd) program is a 36 semester hour program of graduate study in appropriate professional and academic areas for teachers who are already certified. There are seven broad areas or tracks:

  • Art Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Gifted Education
  • Middle Level Education
  • MEd in Administration and Supervision

In this popular graduate program, experienced teachers combine work in their academic specialty with advanced courses in professional education. In some cases, teachers (with the guidance of an academic adviser) design their course of study in order to add an area of certification to their existing credentials.

While each MEd program area has specified core requirements, there is considerable flexibility in this degree so that teachers may pursue special areas of interest.

Degree candidates are allowed to transfer nine hours of appropriate graduate credit (if completed within five years prior to beginning the Converse program) to their course of study. Many local school districts offer Converse graduate credit for staff development courses, and a limited number of these may also be used as part of the degree requirements.

Programs are approved by the South Carolina State Department of Education and enjoy certification reciprocity with many other states. Read about the NCATE accreditation process.

MEd in Administration and Supervision

The MEd degree for initial certification in administration and supervision is a thirty-six semester hour program designed to extend the instructional competence of the candidate into school leadership. The special focus of this program is in the preparation of administrative instructional leaders. Prospective administrators must make certain that they meet the requirements of admission and hold a valid South Carolina teacher’s certificate. The elementary candidate must have had at least one year of the three years required teaching experience in grades K-8. For secondary certification, candidate must have had at least one year of the three years required teaching experience in grades 7–12. Prior to completion of the program, the student must take the Praxis II in Administration and Supervision.

This program is approved by the South Carolina Department of Education for those seeking certification as principals or supervisors. Read about the NCATE accreditation process.  

MEd Benchmark Worksheets

The worksheets below outline the academic requirements for each of the different programs.

These worksheets are provided in PDF format. For PDF format, use Acrobat Reader to view and/or print the form. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, it can be downloaded from Adobe at no charge (Free Acrobat Reader Software). 

Application Process

Go here to learn more about the application process.