Overview (Why attend SOE)
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Admission Information
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Courses of Study
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Financial Aid
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Life at SOE
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Research
Why Attend SOE?
Programs of Study
The School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is an
NCATE-approved comprehensive professional school providing specialized preparation
in diverse areas of education. The School offers graduate programs leading
to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). The Doctor
of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is granted to those who successfully complete the American
Psychological Association-accredited School Psychology Program. The School
also awards a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS). Graduate programs
in the School provide opportunities for advanced study and research in education
and foster the development of innovative responses to challenges in the field
of education. They can be designed to meet licensure guidelines, licensing
requirements, professional association recommendations, School and University
requirements, and individual student goals. As a research-oriented Land-Grant
institution, the School of Education recognizes its responsibility to offer
two types of graduate academic programs: programs that prepare educational
scholars to further educational theory, policy, and research; and programs
that prepare educational practitioners for roles in public education.
Master's
Concentrations [pdf]
The School of Education offers Master of Education concentrations, which
exemplify best practices in the preparation of educational practitioners.
Because of the School of Education's strong commitment to scholarship and research,
these practitioner preparation concentrations have a special character
which is reflected in their solid grounding in current educational theory and
research, in their consistency with national standards for exemplary practitioner
preparation, and in their commitment to innovation and experimentation. The
School is committed to preparing practitioners who will be leaders in educational
improvement and reform.
Practitioner
concentrations are offered in the following areas:
- Bilingual,
English as a Second Language, and Multicultural Education
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in K-12 second
language acquisition and multicultural education.
- Child
Study and Early Education
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in early childhood
education Pre-K through 3rd grade.
- Educational
Administration
The preparation of exemplary leaders for K-12 systems, districts, and
schools.
- Educational
Technology
The preparation of professionals for leadership in the effective use
of technology and media in public schools and other educational contexts.
- Higher
Education
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in colleges and
universities, with special emphasis on student affairs.
- International
Education
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in formal education,
nonformal education, and educational systems development in Third World settings.
- Policy
Studies
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in educational
policy analysis, development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Reading
and Writing
The preparation of professional teachers for leadership roles in literacy
education and the teaching of reading.
- School
Counselor Education
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in school counseling,
focusing on promoting the academic learning and socioemotional development
of all children.
- Social
Justice Education
The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in social justice
education in K-12 and higher education contexts.
- Special
Education
The preparation of professional teachers for leadership roles in the
education of children and youth with disabilities.
Prospective Master's students who are interested in an intensive, field-based,
immersion program of study leading to licensure in early childhood/elementary
or secondary education should apply to study in either the Collaborative
Teacher Education Program or the "180 Days in Springfield" project. Both programs
are situated in public schools and emphasize immersion in teaching and mentoring
by Master teachers.
The M.Ed. degree program is designed to further the professional development
of elementary and secondary school teachers and
other school-based practitioners in the various fields of education, and to
train educational specialists in a variety of the School's areas of concentration.
Within the framework of the requirements and with the guidance of a faculty
adviser, M.Ed. candidates must complete a minimum of 33 graduate credits. Eighteen
of these must be graded, 12 must be at or above the 600 level, and a minimum
of 21 must be taken in the School of Education. Students admitted
to the School Counselor Education and School
Psychology concentrations are an exception to the 33-credit requirement;
they must complete a 48-credit program of study.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) is offered to provide
an intensive, cohesive program of professional development for educational
specialists beyond the master's level. It requires an academic-specific
specialty area, without the extended commitment and formal examination
of the doctoral program. It is not a University degree program but a
School of Education certificate program. The certificate is awarded upon
completion of a 30-credit-hour program of study beyond the master's degree.
All 30 credits must be taken at the University within a four-year period,
and at least 15 credits must be taken in the School of Education. A
minimum of 18 credits used toward fulfillment of the CAGS requirement
must be at or above the 600 level.
The School of Education offers two highly structured Certificate of
Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) programs leading to licensure as a School
Psychologist and as a Special Education Administrator. The School Psychology
licensure program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists
and leads to state licensure. The Special Education Administrator program
has a distinct focus on the skills that leaders need to address the growing
demands in the field and of an increasingly diverse group of students.
The School of Education also offers educational practitioners the opportunity
to pursue an organized, post-Master's course of study which will prepare
them for the role of Master teacher and enhance their ability to be leaders
in educational reform. This course of study leads to a Certificate of
Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS). CAGS students may select a focus for
their professional study from any of the School's concentrations or may
pursue an Interdisciplinary program of study consisting of advanced courses
in pedagogy and advanced courses in the Arts and Sciences.
Doctoral Concentrations
The School of Education is committed to supporting scholarship and
outstanding doctoral education. Research-oriented doctoral concentrations
enable doctoral students to work closely with a strong cadre of faculty
in a community of scholars to generate knowledge leading to improved
educational theory, policy and practice. Doctoral study prepares students
for careers as education faculty, researchers, leaders, and policy developers.
Doctoral concentrations are offered in the following areas:
The doctoral program is designed to prepare leaders who
will advance educational theory, practice, and
policy through scholarship and disciplined inquiry. Graduates
assume leadership roles in university, educational
agency, and K-12 settings. Within
the framework of the School requirements and
with the advice and approval of a doctoral guidance
committee, candidates plan a program of study
commensurate with their academic needs and professional
goals. Such programs usually involve at least three years of course work
beyond the bachelor's degree. Students are expected to spend at least
two consecutive semesters in full-time study, participate in research,
become familiar with contemporary problems in education, and take a comprehensive
exam prior to writing a dissertation.
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