Degrees

Master of Science Degree with a Major in Teaching with Emphases in Elementary, Secondary or English for Speakers of Other Languages

This course of study leads to the Master of Science in Teaching degree with an emphasis in elementary, secondary, or ESOL.

Procedural Steps for Master's degree:

The student must apply for and be admitted to a degree program through the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
The student must apply for candidacy in conference with the advisor prior to enrollment in his/her 12th hour of coursework.
The student must petition the Graduate and Continuing Studies Office to graduate.

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the Master's Degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Elementary, Secondary, or ESOL include the following:

The student will have a GPA of at least 3.00 in the undergraduate major.
International students must check with graduate website for requirements.
Students may be granted probationary admission by maintaining a 3.30 grade point average during the first nine hours of coursework.

Midpoint Review:

The student must have at least a 3.00 GPA at the midpoint (12 hours) of his or her program.

Culminating Event:

Students who pursue the emphasis in Elementary or Secondary Education must complete a written comprehensive examination.
Students who pursue the emphasis in English for Speakers of Other Languages complete a portfolio.

Students may choose from two different plans when pursuing their master's degree, Option I or Option III, both of which are described in the University Catalog. For the Elementary and Secondary emphasis areas, Option I requires a minimum of 30 credit hours which includes a thesis. For the ESOL emphasis, Option I requires a minimum of 36 hours. Option III requires a minimum of 33 hours, consisting of twelve hours minimum in or outside the College of Education, by advisement, to develop an emphasis or endorsement area, plus the 21 hour core. A research component is demonstrated through successful completion of TCHL 891 Methods of Research and through written comprehensive examinations and/or portfolio assessments. Students with strong academic records who plan to do advanced work beyond the master's degree are encouraged to follow Option I which includes a thesis. Upon recommendation of the major advisor, the candidate may elect Option III.

I. Core Courses
- Option I: 21 semester hours required
- Option III: 21 semester hours required
- A. Professional Characteristics (three semester hours required)
  Professional, Leadership
  - TCHL-843: Trends and Issues (3 hours)
- B. Instructional Planning (six semester hours required)
  Instruction
  - TCHL-850: Current Teaching Practices (3 hours)
    
    AND READ-870: Developmental Reading Instruction (3 hours)
    
    OR READ-720: Content Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers (3 hours)
  TCHL 870 Grant Writing and External Resources (PK-12, with field component)
  
  READ 720 Content Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers (with field component) (by advisement for secondary emphasis)
- C. Management of Educational Environment (six semester hours required)
  Diversity
  - TCHL-854: Advanced Methods and Instructional Materials for English Language Learners (3 hours)
  - Select one course by advisement
- D. Evaluation and Assessment (three semester hours required)
  Assessment, Communication
  
  Select one course by advisement
- E. Research and Inquiry (three semester hours required)
  Technology, Research
  - TCHL-891: Methods of Research (3 hours)
II. Elementary Emphasis
- Option I: minimum of nine semester hours required
  - TCHL-890: Research and Thesis (3-6 hours)
  - Electives by advisement (3-6 hours)
- Option III: minimum of 12 semester hours of required methodology courses required
  Choose from four of the following by advisement
  - A graduate level course in reading (3 hours)
  - A graduate level course in mathematics (3 hours)
  - A graduate level course in sciences (3 hours)
  - A graduate level course in language arts (3 hours)
  - A graduate level course in social studies (3 hours)
  - A graduate level course in ESOL (3 hours)
  - Workshops, seminars and special topics by advisement (3 hours)
III. Secondary Emphasis
- Option I: minimum of nine semester hours required
  - TCHL-890: Research and Thesis (3-6 hours)
  - Electives by advisement (3-6 hours)
- Option III: minimum of 12 semester hours
  In the content field inside or outside of the College of Education with at least six semester hours in the same area
IV. English for Speakers of Other Languages Licensure Emphasis*
- Option I: minimum of 15 semester hours required
  - TCHL-890: Research and Thesis (3-6 hours)
  - Must also complete the requirement for Option III as listed below (12-18 hours)
- Option III: minimum of 18 semester hours of ESOL courses are recommended for Kansas ESOL endorsement
  TCHL 853 and TCHL 854 should be taken as part of the MS Teaching Core Courses, leaving only 12 additional hours required for the ESOL emphasis (12-18 hours)
  TCHL 851, TCHL 852, TCHL 853, TCHL 854 and ENGL 714 are prerequisites or co-requisites.
  
  TCHL 853 and TCHL 854 are part of the Master of Science in Teaching Core Courses. If these two courses are chosen to complete the core requirements, only 12 additional hours in the ESOL emphasis are required to complete the MS degree.
*If qualified licensure endorsement available.