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.).

In addition,

• 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.
• Early Childhood and Elementary Teacher Education
  The preparation of professionals for leadership roles in elementary education as teachers, curriculum specialists, and team leaders.
• 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.
• Learning, Media and Technology
  The preparation of professionals for leadership in the effective use of technology and media in public schools and other educational contexts.
• 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:

• Children, Families and Schools
  The development of more effective approaches to the promotion of learning and development in young children.
• Educational Policy and Leadership
  Building more effective educational systems in K-12, higher education, and international contexts.
• Language, Literacy and Culture
  Language and literacy development in first and second languages, bilingual and multicultural education, and children's literature.
• Math, Science and Learning Technologies
  Improving the learning and teaching of mathematics and science.
• Research and Evaluation Methods
  Improving education through advancements in psychometric models, statistical techniques, and educational research/evaluation methods.
• School Psychology (APA approved)
  Improving the education of children through the development of more effective ways of defining, measuring, and addressing learning difficulties and problems.
• Social Justice Education
  An understanding of various manifestations of social oppression in K-16 educational settings and the advancement of educational opportunity and equity.

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.