2010-2011 Graduate Catalog

Apr 25, 2024

2010-2011 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Master of Arts in Education

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Knowledge Base: Theme Statement

The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) degree program is designed to develop professional empowerment through study, research, and reflection. It is designed to help practicing professionals maximize the potential of all learners. The MAE program is arranged to serve the needs of practicing, certified/licensed teachers, with classes scheduled in late afternoon and evening during the school year. Day and evening classes are scheduled in summer sessions.

Admission

Materials required for admission to the MAE program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) degree program is open to teachers who hold a four year degree from accredited colleges or universities, state teacher’s certificate/license, and give evidence of the intellectual, academic and personal ability to succeed in graduate studies. Admission shall not be denied on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, creed, color, national origin, or handicap. While serving as a practicing teacher is not a requirement for admission, many course assignments require classroom application. Graduate students who are not currently teaching are responsible for arranging and seeking appropriate permission for access to classrooms to fulfill the requirements for some classes.

All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.

All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:

Graduate School
Roush Hall, Room 208
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081

There are five steps required for successful completion of the program.

Step 1: Provisional Admission Criteria

Students who have been provisionally admitted may register for up to 15 graduate credit hours.

MAE application form.
Evidence of a state-issued teaching license. Applicants who hold an Ohio teaching license should indicate the license number on the application. Applicants who hold an out-of-state license will need to provide a copy of their teaching license and official transcripts documenting completion of a bachelor’s degree. Candidates not holding a teaching certificate/license may be admitted only through special action of the Graduate Education Committee. Applicants who hold a non-standard teaching certificate/license are strongly encouraged to meet with the Education Advisor prior to enrollment in classes.

Step 2: Full Admission Criteria

In addition to the materials required for provisional admission:

Official transcripts for all previous college and/or university work. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
Cumulative minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 based on the A = 4.0 system. Grade Point Averages between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on a conditional basis for candidates demonstrating particular strengths on other criteria.
Cumulative minimum graduate grade point average of 3.0 based on the A = 4.0 system for any previous graduate work.
Two Otterbein University MAE recommendation forms from individuals with whom you have worked in an academic or professional capacity and who can support your application to pursue graduate studies. At least one of your recommendations should come from an individual who has observed you in a school setting (e.g., administrator, co-teacher, student teaching or field supervisor). Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
Interview with the Education Advisor in the Graduate School.
The Graduate Education Committee may consider other data related to successful completion of the Master’s program at the discretion of the committee.

Applicants who do not meet all of the criteria for admission may petition the Graduate Education Committee. The Graduate Education Committee reserves the right to reject any candidate who does not meet the outlined criteria. See the Education Advisor in the Graduate School for details.

Step 3: Degree Candidacy

Students in good standing with a 3.0 cumulative GPA will apply for degree candidacy during the quarter that 25 quarter hours of graduate course work will be completed.

The following documents must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Programs by the end of the 6th week of the quarter or by August 1 for summer review in order to be considered for Degree Candidacy:

A degree candidacy application form available at www.otterbein.edu/education/department-forms.asp.
The Capstone Project Prospectus, approved and signed by the student’s Capstone advisor and a second reader;
An Expedited Review Form, approved by the Institutional Review Board (if required);
A completed Diversity Form, indicating that diversity requirements have been met;
A completed degree audit, indicating reasonable progress toward the completion of the degree and successful completion of 25 hours of course work.

After the applications are filed, the Graduate Education Committee will examine the record of the candidate, admit the student to degree candidacy status, deny candidacy, and/or advise the student to revise his/her program.

Step 4: Completion of the Capstone Project

The MAE Capstone Project is intended to be a substantial study designed to consolidate and unify the various parts of the course work of the Master’s degree into a meaningful single body of work. There are three options for the MAE Capstone Project: an Instructional Inquiry Project; a Curriculum Inquiry Project; or Submission of a Portfolio for National Board (NBPTS) Certification. Candidates who wish to propose an alternate to these three options must work with their advisor to develop a plan of action. The Capstone Project must have the approval of the student’s Capstone Project Reading Committee. The Reading Committee includes the student’s Capstone Advisor and a second reader who is another faculty member chosen by the graduate student. The Reading Committee will help the student establish the topic, objectives, procedures and time estimate required before the inquiry on the Capstone Project is started. An explanation of criteria for the Capstone Project is available in the MAE Capstone Project Handbook. Students may enroll for 1-5 Capstone hours in the quarters in which they will be working on the project. Students must be enrolled for Capstone hours during the quarter in which they complete the Capstone Project.

A public presentation of the Capstone Project is required for final approval of the project. An explanation of this process may be found in the MAE Capstone Project Handbook.

There will be an additional fee for every Capstone hour for which the student registers. This fee is NOT covered by a fee waiver. Please consult the College’s website at www.otterbein.edu/resources/business_office/fee_schedule.asp or contact the Business Office for a complete list of fees.

Step 5: Program Completion

Students must submit a Request for Degree Application to the Office of the Registrar two quarters prior to the completion of all graduate work. This form may be obtained at the Office of the Registrar or from the Registrar’s web page at www.otterbein.edu, under the intranet link. All financial obligations must be met before students may participate in graduation, receive their transcripts, or receive their diploma.

The following criteria must be fulfilled to complete the MAE Program:

A 3.0 graduate cumulative graduate grade point average.
Successful completion of the MAE Capstone Project.
Successful completion (in conjunction with required course work) of an Advanced Teaching Portfolio.
Successful completion of all required course work and field/clinical experiences.

International/Non-Citizen Applicant Admission

Some, or all of the following information may be required to complete the application process. Once the Graduate School has received an admission application, the applicant will be notified of what additional materials will be required.

The materials may include:

Supplemental Application for Admission.
Official TOEFL report if the applicant’s first language is not English or the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. college or university. A score of at least 550 on the paper-based test, a 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT) is required. Departments may set separate minimum scores.
Proof of financial support is required for applicants seeking a student visa. Please contact the Graduate School for a complete description of documentation required to process an I-20.
If academic credentials are from an institution outside of the United States, a World Education Services, Inc. (WES) course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials.
Applicants who hold a visa, are a U.S. resident alien, or are a permanent resident (with a green card) must submit a copy of the visa/green card along with the Supplemental Application.
Submit English language verification of teacher licensure.

In order to process admission and immigration documents in a timely manner, international applicants are asked to submit all admission materials, including the WES evaluation and proof of financial support, no later than two months prior to the start of the term.

All international/non-citizen applicants should contact the Graduate School for additional information. Early application is encouraged.

Diversity Standard

If discussions, readings, and reflection about diversity are to have real meaning and application in classes and assignments, we believe that our MAE degree candidates ought to be working with diverse students during their enrollment in the MAE degree program.

The NCATE standard reads: “The unit designs, implements, and evaluates curriculum and experiences for candidates to acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn. These experiences include working with diverse higher education and school faculty, diverse candidates, and diverse students in P-12 schools.”

To ensure that our graduate students have these experiences, a diversity requirement must be met. It is believed that the majority of students will have met this requirement, and those that do not have many accessible opportunities for compliance. Prior to admission to Degree Candidacy (25 quarter hours), the candidate will submit a form that provides evidence of meeting the standard in relationship to diverse students in his or her classroom during the candidate’s MAE enrollment. This form needs to be co-signed by the candidate’s immediate supervisor (usually the Principal or Assistant Principal who must rank the candidate on her/his efforts to meet the educational needs of all students). One copy shall be submitted to the Director of Graduate Programs prior to admission as a Degree Candidate, and one copy shall be given to the candidate’s advisor. It should document the following about class load demographics for the candidate for at least one year during his or her tenure in the graduate program:

At least two of the following criteria are true about the candidate’s class load (school-wide demographics may not be used):

Class load includes at least 15% students from the following racial, ethnic groups: African-American, Hispanic, Asian (including Indian), Native American, multi-racial
Class load includes at least 25% students on free and/or reduced price lunch
Class load includes at least 10% students with identified special needs (have IEP’s or 504 plans)
Class load includes children who are English Language Learners (ELL).

Or
If a candidate cannot document diversity within his or her own class load (using two of the above criteria), then the candidate is required to submit documentation of at least 30 hours working with diverse children in an after-school, weekend or summer program. Possible work could include: course-related field experience, tutoring, mentoring, working as a camp counselor, recreation leader, participating in church-sponsored programs, or coaching. Questions regarding the eligibility of activities should be referred to the Director of Graduate Programs. Candidates need to accumulate these hours before Degree Candidacy.

Workshop Credit

No more than five quarter hour credits (transferred or at Otterbein) in graduate credit workshops can apply toward the MAE degree.

Tuition Waivers

Teachers in schools with student teaching and field experience agreements with Otterbein University may qualify for tuition waiver certificates. Otterbein University provides these waivers to districts or independent schools in return for their provision of field placements for Otterbein students. However, Otterbein University has no control over the distribution of the waivers to teachers, which is determined by each district/school.

The following provisions and conditions apply:

Tuition waiver certificates may be assigned by the proper school officials to school employees admitted to graduate study at Otterbein University. Admission to graduate study is solely at the option of the University. There is no obligation on the part of the college to admit students because of this agreement who would not otherwise meet graduate study admission requirements.
One tuition waiver certificate shall be honored for one student in one quarter only. One certificate will be honored for the tuition charges for up to two (2) quarter hours of credit. The credit may be regular course credit or workshop credit.
Teachers paying tuition with tuition waiver certificates from their schools must submit a valid waiver certificate at the time of registration or make other arrangements with the Business Office. Otterbein University has the right to refuse acceptance of an “expired” fee waiver.
Tuition waivers do not cover the costs of special fees for testing, Capstone hours, or computer labs.

Program Completion

Please refer to Step Five (Program Completion) in Admission section.

Grade Policy

For students seeking a Master’s degree, a minimum grade of C is required in all graduate course work. If a grade lower than a C is earned the course must be repeated and a grade of C or higher must be earned in order to satisfactorily complete the course. A cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required in order to remain in good standing and to graduate. Please refer to the Academic Standing Policy in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Residence Requirement

A student is considered to be in residence when registered for graduate course work offered by or through Otterbein University. MAE students must complete at least 30-33 quarter hours of graduate course work offered by or through Otterbein University.

MAE Program Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) degree majors are planned to serve the needs of certified/licensed teachers who desire to improve their knowledge and skills and perhaps seek additional licensure. Two major areas of study are offered: 1) Curriculum and Instruction and 2) Reading. Both of the MAE majors require a core of 15 quarter hours of work and a Capstone Project. The Curriculum and Instruction major requires a minimum of 45 quarter hours and the Reading major requires a minimum of 48 quarter hours.

Curriculum and Instruction Major

Knowledge Base: Theme Statement of Curriculum and Instruction Major

The Curriculum and Instruction major is designed to further the professional development of teachers who wish to improve their teaching knowledge and skills for greater effectiveness in the classroom. Through the critical analysis of theory and practice, the program challenges teachers to strengthen their professional knowledge and skills in curriculum planning, learning theory, teaching methodology, integration of technology, and to base instructional decisions on assessment data, learner developmental and contextual needs, and current research on learning, cognition, and sociocultural aspects of instruction. Graduate course work and the Capstone Project are designed to prepare teachers to maximize the potential of every child and to take a leadership role at the school or district level to assure that the learning needs of all students are met.

Courses for the Curriculum and Instruction Major

Core Courses

Core Total 15 hrs

Major Courses

EDUC 575 - Multimedia Applications for Teaching and Learning
or
EDUC 675 - Internet Tools and Practice for Teachers
EDUC 610 - Principles of Curriculum
EDUC 611 - Principles and Application of Instruction
or
EDUC 623 - TESOL Instructional Strategies (TESOL Endorsement candidates only)
EDUC 636 - Teacher Leadership
or
EDUC 624 - TESOL in School and Society (TESOL Endorsement candidates only)

Major Total 12 hrs

Additional Requirements

EDUC 695 - MAE Capstone Seminar - 5 hrs
Electives - See Elective Strands for Options - 13 hrs

Minimum Total Curriculum and Instruction Credit Hours 45 hrs

Notes

There is an additional fee for each Capstone hour. Fee waivers cannot be used to cover the cost of Capstone hours. Please consult the College website or contact the Business Office for a complete list of fees.
Students pursuing the TESOL Endorsement may substitute EDUC 623-TESOL Instructional Strategies for EDUC 611- Principles and Application of Instruction, and EDUC 624 - TESOL in School and Society for EDUC 636 - Teacher Leadership.
A minimum of 30 hours must be completed in residence for the MAE C and I program.

Elective Strands

MAE Curriculum and Instruction students must select one of the following strands to complete their program: Professional Development, Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist or TESOL.

Professional Development Strand - 13 hrs

In the Professional Development Strand, students make a thoughtful selection of electives, guided by the advisor, in order to increase expertise in a particular area or to facilitate professional growth. Selections must be formally reported by the advisor to the Office of the Registrar before credit toward program completion is granted. Electives may be chosen from other graduate courses not required in the Curriculum and Instruction major, EDUC 689 - MAE Independent Study (approval required), EDUC 698 – courses designated as Special Topics, or approved transfer courses.

Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist Strand - 15 hrs

Courses for the TESOL Endorsement - 18-21 hrs

Those who elect to take the TESOL endorsement program will complete 18-21 quarter hours of graduate work concentrated in TESOL course work. The following sequence of courses may be taken by a certified/licensed teacher to add TESOL Endorsement to any valid Ohio Teaching Certificate/License.

The TESOL endorsement requires 75 clock hours of field experience. Up to fifty hours may be documented prior to the field practicum, with approval of the Practicum instructor. A minimum of 25 hours must be completed under Otterbein supervision in conjunction with EDUC 625. Those applying for the TESOL Endorsement must take the PRAXIS II TESOL test.

EDUC 620 - Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice *
EDUC 621 - Linguistics and Language Acquisition
EDUC 622 - TESOL English Language Assessment
EDUC 623 - TESOL Instructional Strategies **
EDUC 624 - TESOL in School and Society **
EDUC 625 - TESOL Field Practicum
EDUC 626 - Reading Instruction for Students with Diverse Learning Needs ***
*EDUC 620 is also required as a core class.

**EDUC 623 and EDUC 624 are substitutes for EDUC 611 and EDUC 636 in the C&I Major.

***EDUC 626 is required for teachers who hold an AYA license or Multi-age license with the exception of those holding an Intervention Specialist License or Reading Endorsement.

Notes

TESOL endorsement candidates may need additional elective hours to meet the minimum 45 hour MAE requirement.

Reading Major

Knowledge Base: Theme Statement of Reading Program

The Reading program prepares reading professionals who understand reading to be a constructive language process with critical linguistic, cognitive, and socio-cultural dimensions. Graduates will be able to conceptualize and create reading instruction which is sensitive to the thought and language of individual readers, authors and the texts they create, and situational and cultural contexts.

The Reading Major is planned to offer classroom teachers an opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in the teaching of reading and to provide a reading teacher endorsement for those who may desire to become special reading teachers. The courses required by the Ohio Department of Education for the reading endorsement certificate are included in the program. Those applying for the Reading Endorsement must pass the appropriate Praxis II exam.

Students who complete the full degree program in reading will take a minimum of 48 quarter hours of work at the graduate level. Reading Endorsement and major programs require a minimum of 125 clock hours of substantive field experience. These hours are distributed across Education 664, 666 and 667 and, with permission of the instructor, may be completed in the student’s reading-based classroom. Student performance in the field is formally evaluated by a college-appointed supervisor. Because of the sequential nature of the Reading Endorsement courses, the student should seek the advice of the Education Advisor in the Graduate School at the beginning of the Reading Endorsement Program.

Graduate course work and the Capstone Project are designed to prepare teachers to maximize the potential of every child and to take a leadership role at the school or district level to assure that the learning needs of all students are met.

Courses for the Reading Major

Core Courses

Core Total 15 hrs

Major Courses

Major Total 28 hrs

Additional Requirements

EDUC 695 - MAE Capstone Seminar - 5 hrs

Minimum Total Reading Credit Hours 48 hrs

Notes

There is an additional fee for each Capstone hour. Please consult the College website or contact the Business Office for a complete list of fees. Fee waivers may not be used for the cost of Capstone hours.
A minimum of 33 hours must be completed in Residence for the MAE Reading program.

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Master of Arts in Education

Knowledge Base: Theme Statement

Admission

There are five steps required for successful completion of the program.

Step 1: Provisional Admission Criteria

Step 2: Full Admission Criteria

Step 3: Degree Candidacy

Step 4: Completion of the Capstone Project

Step 5: Program Completion

International/Non-Citizen Applicant Admission

Diversity Standard

Workshop Credit

Tuition Waivers

Program Completion

Grade Policy

Residence Requirement

MAE Program Curriculum

Curriculum and Instruction Major

Courses for the Curriculum and Instruction Major

Core Courses

Core Total 15 hrs

Major Courses

Major Total 12 hrs

Additional Requirements

Minimum Total Curriculum and Instruction Credit Hours 45 hrs

Notes

Elective Strands

Professional Development Strand - 13 hrs

Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist Strand - 15 hrs

Courses for the TESOL Endorsement - 18-21 hrs

Notes

Reading Major

Courses for the Reading Major

Core Courses

Core Total 15 hrs

Major Courses

Major Total 28 hrs

Additional Requirements

Minimum Total Reading Credit Hours 48 hrs

Notes