Education Master's Degree Requirements

Master of Education Degree Program

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program is designed to further the professional development of elementary and secondary school teachers and other 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 Master's degree requirements of the University Graduate School and with the advice of a faculty adviser, candidates for the M.Ed. must complete a minimum of 33 graduate credits. Eighteen of these credits must be graded, 12 must be at or above the 600 level, and a minimum of 21 credits must be taken in the School of Education. Individual programs may specify a particular course sequence. The School Psychology Program requires 48 credits. The procedure for application to the Master's Degree Program is described above.

A detailed explanation of procedures to be followed by Master's candidates may be found in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Master of Education Field-Based Formats

Constructivist Teacher Education Project (C.T.E.P.)

This track, is based in the Mark's Meadow School, is designed as a collaborative Master's and certification project between the school and the faculty of the School of Education. It provides a year-long experience in a multi-cultural setting. Students receive Massachusetts Provisional Certification with Advanced Standing in Early Childhood or Elementary Education upon completion.

180 Days in Springfield Project

The 180 Days in Springfield Project is a site-based, collaborative teacher education program between the Springfield Public Schools and the School of Education. It provides a year-long experience for prospective teachers in a diverse, urban school environment. The program is designed for graduating college seniors and recent college graduates holding baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, the sciences, history, social studies, or English.

The project features a year of teaching and curriculum development in a middle or high school along with courses leading to a Master of Education degree and Massachusetts Provisional Certification with Advanced Standing in the respective subject area.

Science Education

The School of Education, in collaboration with the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the College of Food and Natural Resources, offers a field-based Master of Education degree program in science education for teachers in the Springfield Public Schools.

This program, for elementary and middle school teachers, enhances knowledge of teaching science as well as basic science content knowledge.

Elementary Teacher Education/Integrated Day Program

The program is open to inservice teachers in the Holyoke/South Hadley/Chicopee/West Springfield/Springfield area. Each semester, courses are offered on-site at participating schools. The program leads to a Master of Education Degree in Elementary Teacher Education.