Assessment, academic standards, technology, curriculum design-these are more than just buzzwords for professionals in today’s complex world of education. Today’s teachers and administrators need a broad range of skills to help their districts achieve goals of providing top quality education to students. Lakeland University understands the challenges that teachers face and has responded with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) program designed to provide basic knowledge and offer opportunities for learning specific to a school’s or district’s quality initiatives. Lakeland admits classroom teachers, school administrators, and others involved in education to the M.Ed. program. An undergraduate degree in education is not required.

Students who complete the M.Ed. degree will be able to:

• Define the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines s/he teaches.
• Define how pupils with broad ranges of abilities learn.
• Adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies, including technology, to encourage pupils’ learning.
• Use individual and group motivation and behavior to create a positive learning environment.
• Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques.
• Plan systematic instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals.
• Use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate the overall development of pupils.
• Reflectively evaluate the effect of his/her choices and actions on pupils.
• Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support pupil learning and well-being.
• Act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.

Admission Requirements for the M.Ed. in addition to those listed under General Admission Requirements:

General Admission Requirements  

Applicants must have evidence of one of the following:

• A valid teaching license.
• Approval from the Director of the Graduate Education Programs and successful completion of foundation courses in educational psychology, human growth and development, the exceptional person, and majority-minority relations.

Conditional Admission Policy

An applicant who has a cumulative GPA lower than 2.75 in his/her undergraduate coursework may be considered for conditional admission upon a recommendation from the Director of the Graduate Education Programs. The applicant’s conditional status will be reviewed once he/she completes 6 semester hours of graduate coursework. An applicant in conditional status who achieves a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be granted full admission.

An applicant who does not possess a valid teaching license may also be granted conditional admission. Once the applicant successfully completes courses in educational psychology, human growth and development, the exceptional person, and majority-minority relations, his/her status will be reviewed, and he/she may be granted full admission. These courses must be completed within two semesters of conditional admission.

An Exception to the Policy Regarding Enrollment Prior to Admission

A student who wishes to enroll in M.Ed. courses which have been designed primarily for professional development is not required to make formal application for admission. These students may register and enroll in any courses provided they meet the program and course requirements.