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Title II Disclosure
In accordance with federal
regulation, the College of St. Joseph is required to report
that 100% of Teacher Education Program Completers in the
2005-2006 cohort qualified for Vermont state licensure.
Admission
to the Graduate Program
In view of the complexity
of educational systems in today’s schools and the
corresponding demands for talented and competent teachers and
administrators, the admissions process seeks to identify
individuals who are capable of successfully completing
graduate level courses in education. This outcome will provide
graduates with additional knowledge and skills to better serve
children and adolescents in our schools and to function as
positive role models and leaders in the evaluation and reform
of educational systems.
In order for students to be
considered for admission into the Master of Education program,
they must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college
or university with a record (a grade point average of at least
3.0 in the undergraduate major if pursuing initial licensure
in Elementary or Special Education or a 2.7 if applying for a
non-licensure program) indicating the ability to pursue a
master's degree to completion. In addition, students must
fulfill other requirements. Students will need to submit the
following documentation to the Admissions Office:
-
a completed Master of
Education application form;
-
a $35 application fee;
-
two letters of
reference - academic or professional (The forms are
available with the application package from the Admissions
Office.);
-
passing scores on the
reading, writing, and mathematics portions of the PRAXIS I
tests for students entering initial licensure programs.
Passing scores on relevant PRAXIS II tests must be
submitted prior to student teaching;
-
an essay that meets
minimum writing standards for graduate students. The essay
should describe the reason(s) for applying to the selected
Master of Education program and the desired outcomes from
the course of study; and
-
official transcripts of
all undergraduate and graduate course work
A candidate who does not
meet one or more of the above criteria will be requested to
come to the College campus for an interview with a faculty
member of the Division of Education. Depending on the outcomes
of the interview, the candidate may receive provisional
candidacy for one or two semesters to establish the ability
for pursuing graduate courses at a minimum "B" level
of competency.
A student has five years
from the date of admission to complete a graduate program. If
there are extenuating circumstances, this period may be
extended by the Graduate Committee. Individuals can take up to
nine credits of graduate studies at the College of St. Joseph
prior to the date of matriculation. CSJ credits older than
five years are not applicable.
Comprehensive
Examinations
Satisfactory completion of
a comprehensive examination is required of students in all of
the Master of Education programs. Students are eligible to
take the exam when they are within 9 hours of completing their
program (excluding the student teaching semester for initial
licensure candidates). Examinations are given at specified
times in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters and students
must inform the Division, in writing, of their intention to
take the exam. Informational meetings are held prior to each
exam and it is highly recommended that students attend.
Graduation
To graduate, a student must
earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and pass a comprehensive
examination. The examination is a take-home test in which the
student prepares three 5- to 7- page responses to three
questions over a ten-day period. Exams are read and scored by
the faculty examination committee. When a deficient score is
earned for any one question, the student attends an oral
examination and, depending on the score for the written
response and quality of oral response, passes or is requested
to prepare a second written response for further evaluation.
Elementary
Education Program (Initial
Licensure)
The Master’s Program in
Elementary Education is designed for students who desire
initial licensure in elementary education, K-6. This program
prepares students with a foundation of educational theory,
research, and practices for teaching in the elementary school
classroom. This preparation focuses on reading theory and
practice, thematic teaching and portfolio assessment. Courses
emphasize critical thinking, evaluation, and writing. Students
are required to complete a three-credit practicum prior to the
15 weeks of consecutively scheduled student teaching in an
elementary school classroom. The three-credit practicum is
used to meet the 60 hours of early field experience required
for licensure in the State of Vermont and is designed to meet
the individual needs and interests of students in preparation
for student teaching.
Elementary
Education Program
(Endorsement)
The Master’s Program in
Elementary Education is designed for students who desire an
endorsement in elementary education, K-6. Students must have
current teacher licensure in another area or level. This
program prepares students with a foundation of educational
theory, research, and practices for teaching in the elementary
school classroom. This preparation focuses on reading theory
and practice, thematic teaching and portfolio assessment.
Courses emphasize critical thinking, evaluation, and writing.
Students are required to complete a three-credit practicum.
The three-credit practicum is used to meet the 60 hours of
early field experience required for licensure in the State of
Vermont and is designed to meet the individual needs and
interests of students.
Master of Education in
Secondary Education (English, Social Studies)
Admission
In view of the complexity
of educational systems in today’s schools and the
corresponding demands for talented and competent teachers and
administrators, the admissions process for the Master of
Education in Secondary Education Program will seek to identify
individuals who are capable of successfully completing
graduate level courses in education; who can attain knowledge
and skills required to serve children and adolescents in our
schools and to prepare those students to meet or exceed the
standards identified in the Vermont Framework of Standards and
Learning Opportunities; who can meet or exceed the Five
Standards for Vermont Educators, the 16 Principles, and all
pertinent licensure competencies; and who can function as
positive role models and leaders in the evaluation and reform
of educational systems. In order to insure this, application
materials from each candidate will be carefully assessed by
the Graduate Committee.
In order for students to be
considered for admission into the Master of Education in
Secondary Education program, they must have a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited college or university with a record
indicating the ability to pursue a master’s degree to
completion. In addition, students must fulfill other
requirements. Students will need to submit the following
documentation to the Admissions Office:
-
a completed Master of
Education in Secondary Education application form;
-
two letters of
reference - academic or professional;
-
a grade point average
of at least 3.0 in the undergraduate major if pursuing
initial licensure or a 2.7 if applying for a non-licensure
program;
-
a three to four-page
written essay that meets minimum writing standards for graduate students. The
essay should describe the reason(s) for applying to the
Master of Education in Secondary Education program and the
desired outcomes from the course of study;
-
for students seeking
initial licensure, the successful completion of an
appropriate major (for example, for those seeking
certification in Social Studies: Anthropology, American
Studies, Economics [as a social science], Geography,
History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Liberal
Arts or some other interdisciplinary area with a
concentration in Social Studies, for those seeking
certification in English: English [English/Creative
Writing or English/ Communications, etc.]), or some other
interdisciplinary area with a concentration in English, as
well as the successful completion of courses in general
and developmental psychology;
-
for students seeking
initial licensure, passing scores for PRAXIS I; and
-
official transcripts of
all undergraduate and graduate course work
A candidate who
does not meet one or more of the above criteria will be
requested to come to the College campus for an interview to
meet with a faculty member of the Division of Education or
Secondary Education Program. Depending on the outcomes of the
interview, the candidate may receive provisional candidacy for
one or two semesters to establish the ability for pursuing
graduate courses at a minimum level of competency.
A student will
have five years from the date of admission to complete the
Master of Education in Secondary Education Program. If there
are extenuating circumstances, this period may be extended by
the Graduate Committee. Individuals will be allowed to take up
to nine credits of graduate studies at the College of St.
Joseph prior to the date of matriculation.
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Programs:
The Division of Education
offers six masters degree programs: Elementary Education
(initial licensure), Elementary Education (endorsement),
Special Education (initial licensure), Special Education
(endorsement), Reading, and General Education. The programs
are designed to offer students opportunities to gain knowledge
about the field of education, acquire research and curriculum
development skills, and, for initial licensure candidates,
develop teaching and assessment skills. Each area has specific
admission requirements in addition to the general requirements
for acceptance into the graduate program. Courses for each
program are scheduled on a full-time basis of 9 to 12 credits
for each fall, spring, and summer session. Full-time study
generally allows students to complete their graduate program
over a period of four to six semesters depending on the
specific credit requirements of a program. Students who cannot
attend on a full-time basis plan their program of studies
using the scheduled sequence of courses over an extended
period of time.
Transfer Credits
Credits earned at other
institutions after the date of acceptance into the program
cannot be considered for transfer. Credits are transferred
upon matriculation into the graduate program. A student may
transfer up to nine credits into the Master’s Program from
other accredited institutions of higher education if a grade
of "B" or higher was achieved in the course(s). The
merits of all requests will be reviewed with respect to the
relevance of the previous experiences to expressed program
goals. The College is not obligated to accept transfer credits
or courses taken at the College that are not approved as
components of the student’s plan of study by the student’s
advisor. CSJ pass-through credits taken before matriculation
can be used as transfer credits for electives but cannot be
used to meet specific requirements in the Master of Education
programs. No course taken more than five (5) years
before the time of matriculation into the CSJ graduate program
can be used for transfer credit.
Field
Experience
Students who are enrolled
in the Master of Education in Elementary Education Program or
the Special Education Program and are pursuing initial
licensure are required to complete at least 60 hours of
supervised field experience prior to the full semester of
student teaching. The necessary hours will accumulate through
course work and a three-credit practicum prior to student
teaching. Graduate students who have prior certification and
are seeking additional endorsements in either Reading or
Special Education will complete practica specific to their
course of study.
Students who are seeking
their initial licensure in Elementary Education or Special
Education must complete a student teaching experience of 12 to
15 consecutively scheduled weeks in a classroom. During
student teaching and the practicum, the student teacher will
maintain a student teaching portfolio which will be
incorporated into the final licensure portfolio. The student
must earn a minimum grade of "B" for student
teaching and a positive recommendation from the faculty
supervisor with input from the cooperating teacher in order to
be recommended for licensure.
Application
for Student Teaching
Graduate students
who are seeking their initial endorsement in either Elementary
Education or Special Education must complete a "Student
Teacher Application Form" by April 1st of the year prior
to student teaching. A student teaching placement will be made
upon a decision of approval of the student teaching
application and the student’s portfolio by Division of
Education Faculty. The application form must document the
following competencies:
-
the attainment of a
minimum cumulative grade point average of "B"
-
prior to student
teaching, students must take, and pass, any tests from the
Praxis II series required at that time for licensure in
the State of Vermont
Licensure
Requirements
Students entering initial
licensure programs are required to follow requirements for
Vermont licensure. Passing scores (as designated by the
Vermont Standards Board) on the PRAXIS I, reading, writing,
and math tests, are required for admission to such programs.
Passing scores (as designated by the Vermont Standards Board)
on relevant PRAXIS II tests are required prior to student
teaching. Students make their own arrangements to take the
tests at one of the testing centers listed in the application
packet for the PRAXIS tests. The Education Division Office
will provide additional information on licensure updates and
testing requirements as they occur.
Graduate
Portfolios
All degree candidates are
required to chart their progress and achievement by
maintaining a portfolio of their work. Portfolio preparation
will be monitored by the student’s advisor and will be
evaluated by education faculty prior to graduation.
Special
Education Program (Initial
Licensure)
The Master's Program in
Special Education qualifies the student for Vermont licensure
in the following area: Teacher of Handicapped Children:
Special Education Programs/Resource Teacher Programs K-12.
Students must complete a three-credit practicum prior to the
15-week student teaching placement in special education. A
minimum of 60 hours of early field experience prior to student
teaching is required for licensure in the State of Vermont.
This requirement is met through course-related activities in
the field and the three-credit practicum. This program
provides students with an in-depth understanding of the
issues, laws, and practices in special education. There is an
emphasis on full inclusion, assessment, collaboration, and
team teaching.
Special
Education Program (Endorsement)
The Master’s Program in
Special Education qualifies the student for Vermont licensure
in the following area: Teacher of Handicapped Children:
Special Education Programs/Resource Teacher Programs K-12.
Students must have current teacher licensure in another area
or level. This program provides students with an in-depth
understanding of the issues, laws, and practices in special
education. There is an emphasis on full inclusion, assessment,
collaboration, and team teaching. Students are required to
complete a three-credit practicum. The three-credit practicum
is used to meet the 60 hours of early field experience
required for licensure in the State of Vermont and is designed
to meet the individual needs and interests of students.
Reading
Program
The Master's Program in
Reading provides students who already hold an initial
licensure with an in-depth knowledge of the theories and
practices necessary for the improvement of reading
instruction. Whole language practices are incorporated with
traditional skills models through research and practice.
General
Education Program
The General Education
Program is for individuals who have current teacher
certification and desire to pursue advanced study in
education. Students can take courses related to an additional
endorsement or a certificate of advanced study interest. The
program is also designed for individuals who do not have
current teacher certification but who wish to explore advanced
studies in education for professional purposes.
Transfer Credits
In order that the education
faculty at the College of St. Joseph can effectively monitor
and assess the student’s progress in meeting or exceeding
the Five Standards for Vermont Educators, the 16 Principles,
and all pertinent licensure competencies, credits earned at
other institutions after the date of acceptance into the
program will not be considered for transfer. Credits will be
transferred upon matriculation into the Master of Education in
Secondary Education Program. A student may transfer up to nine
credits to the program from other accredited institutions of
higher education if a grade of "B" or higher was
achieved in the course(s). The merits of all requests will be
reviewed by the Graduate Committee with respect to the
relevance of the previous experiences to expressed program
goals and the requirements of the Vermont State Department of
Education. The College will not be obligated to accept
transfer credits or courses taken at the College that are not
approved as components of the student’s plan of study by the
student’s advisor. CSJ pass-through credits taken before
matriculation will be allowed as transfer credits for
electives but may not be used to meet specific requirements in
the Master of Education in Secondary Education Program. No
course taken more than five (5) years before the time of
matriculation into the program will be allowed as transfer
credit.
Field Experience
In order to meet the
requirements of the Vermont State Department of Education,
students who enroll in the Master of Education in Secondary
Education Program and who are pursuing initial licensure will
be required to complete at least 60 hours of supervised field
experience prior to the full semester of student teaching. The
necessary hours will accumulate through course work and a
three-credit practicum prior to student teaching. In addition,
students who are seeking their initial licensure must complete
a student teaching experience of 12 to 15 consecutively
scheduled weeks in a secondary classroom.
Application for
Student Teaching
Students in the Master of
Education in Secondary Education Program who are seeking
initial licensure will be required to complete a Student
Teacher Application Form by the third week of the semester
prior to the semester for student teaching. A student teaching
placement will be made upon a decision of approval of the
student teaching application and the student’s portfolio by
Division of Education and Secondary Education Faculty. The
application form must document the following competencies:
-
the attainment of a
minimum cumulative grade point average of B;
-
the submission of a
qualifying portfolio documenting mastery of the Five
Standards for Vermont Educators, the 16 Principles, and
all pertinent licensure competencies at a level
appropriate for a student who is entering student
teaching; and
-
the submission of
passing scores for PRAXIS I and the appropriate portions
of PRAXIS II.
Graduate
Portfolios
All degree candidates are
required to chart their progress and achievement and mastery
of the Five Standards for Vermont Educators, the 16
Principles, and all pertinent licensure requirements and
competencies by maintaining a portfolio of their work which
conforms to the guidelines established by the Vermont State
Department of Education. Portfolio preparation will be
monitored by the student’s advisor and will be evaluated by
education faculty prior to graduation.
Graduation
To graduate, a student must
earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and pass a comprehensive
examination. The examination will be a take-home test in which
the student prepares three 5-to-7 page responses to three
questions over a ten-day period. Exams are read and scored by
the faculty examination committee. When a deficient score is
earned for any one question, the student attends an oral
examination and, depending on the score for the written
response and quality of oral response, passes or is requested
to prepare a second written response for further evaluation.
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