Education, M.A.

The five areas of emphasis available:

    Educational Psychology
    Information Technology in Education
    Marriage and Family Therapy
    School Counseling
    Human Development and Family Studies

Five areas of emphasis are offered in the educational leadership major. The areas are:

    The Principalship
    Program Administration
    The Superintendency
    Higher Education Administration
    Educational Foundations

Master’s degrees are available in secondary education and elementary education. Students may choose an emphasis in Curricular Studies; Mathematics, Science, Technology and Society; or an emphasis in another teaching content area.

    M.Ed. or M.A. in Special Education (with various areas of emphasis)
    M.Ed. or M.A. in Literacy Studies
    M.Ed. or M.S. in Equity and Diversity in Education (pedagogy for diverse learners)

For students who are not licensed Nevada teachers, licensure courses may be taken as part of a master’s degree. Several areas of emphasis are available within each. For students holding a teaching license, it is possible to earn credits toward an endorsement in ESL. In addition, it is also possible, upon admission to a postbaccalaureate licensure program (in elementary, special or secondary education), to concurrently pursue a graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. See the departments for more information.

The specific curriculum requirements are adapted to the professional needs of the student. Students should not enroll in any graduate-level course without first securing the approval of the department that such a course is acceptable toward a selected major or minor.

Generally, students are advised to enroll in improvement courses for in-service education on the graduate level. These courses are also offered in extension or branch centers, workshops, short conferences, evening schools and individual problem courses by arrangement. Inquiries are encouraged.

In order to earn the master of arts, master of science and master of education degrees, students must complete 32 to 48 credits of approved courses with a major in education. Master of arts and master of science degree programs may also require a six-credit thesis, bringing the total credit load to 36-60 credits. A nonthesis master of arts or master of science degree option, which includes the completion of 32 to 60 credits, may also be selected. Program outlines can be obtained from each of the programs in the College of Education. All degree candidates are required to complete a research course. In addition, all students are required to take 1 to 3 credits of comprehensive examination which may or may not be above the 32 to 48 credits of approved courses.

A maximum of six graduate credits of S/U grades may be applied toward a master’s degree requiring at least 36 semester credits.

In addition to admission requirements specified by each department, applicants must be qualified in the professional judgment of the College of Education faculty.