Master's Degrees
Master of Arts Degrees
The Master of Arts degrees offered by the College of Education are administered by the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, and by the Division of Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations. The generic degree requirements are listed below and specific requirements associated with individual majors and areas of concentration are described in the respective divisional sections.
Master of Science Degrees
The Master of Science degrees offered by the College of Education are administered by the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies and the Division of Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations. The generic degree requirements are listed below and specific requirements associated with individual majors and areas of concentration are described in the respective divisional sections.
Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is administered by the Division of Teacher Education and upon program completion requires a recommendation to the Michigan Department of Education for a teaching certificate. The generic degree requirements are listed below and specific requirements associated with individual majors and areas of concentration are described in the respective divisional sections.
Master of Education Degrees
The Master of Education degree is offered in various curricular areas administered by the following academic divisions: Administrative and Organizational Studies, Teacher Education and Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations. The generic degree requirements are listed below, and specific requirements associated with individual majors and areas of concentration are described in the respective divisional sections.
Admission
Admission to these programs is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must satisfy program specific admission requirements.
Application information is available on the Graduate Admissions website.
Degree Requirements
The minimum requirement for a Master's degree is thirty credits, at least twenty-four of which must be taken at the University. Some programs in the College of Education require more than the minimum, in which case those requirements take precedence. Major Requirements consist of a minimum of eight credits in the specialization selected by the student in addition to and when required the terminal seminar and thesis, essay, or project. Specific course requirements for the various majors are presented in the respective divisional sections.
Master's Degree are offered with the following options:
- Plan A – A minimum of twenty-two credits in coursework, plus eight credits for the terminal seminar and thesis
- Plan B – A minimum of twenty-seven credits in coursework, plus three credits for the terminal seminar and essay or project
- Plan C – A total of thirty credits, essay/project or thesis not required
Electives are those courses recommended outside the major. The purpose of elective courses is to provide breadth to the student’s program.
See the individual programs in the following Divisional sections of this bulletin for specific courses required by certain program areas in the major, the general professional sequence, or the elective sections of Plans of Work.
Plan of Work
After consultation with the advisor, the master’s applicant prepares a Plan of Work for the program, setting forth the courses that will satisfy the requirements for the degree.
Candidacy
This status is established upon completion by the master’s applicant of nine credits toward degree requirements, and after filing an approved Plan of Work with the College Graduate Office, 489 Education Building. The Plan of Work MUST be filed prior to or during the term in which the applicant completes twelve graduate credits toward the degree. Failure to file a Plan of Work will preclude further registration for courses.
Time Limitations
Requirements for all master's degrees must be completed within six years after completion of the first course to be applied toward the degree.
Time Extensions
The advisor and student must complete a Request for a Time Extension form and set a terminal date for completion of all degree requirements, including such additional requirements as may be indicated by the Graduate Director to revalidate over-age credits (see the Revalidation section below). Time extensions require the approval of the Graduate Director. Time extensions to complete the requirements for a master's degree may not be granted beyond year 10 since admission.
Revalidation
Upon the recommendation of the advisor and approval of the Graduate Director, a master's degree student may revalidate over-age credits which are between six and ten years old, and that represent courses completed at Wayne State University with grades of 'B' or better. Students are not permitted to revalidate credits earned at other institutions.
General Professional Requirement for Master of Education Degrees: Fundamental Areas and Core Courses
Philosophical and theoretical perspectives unite the College of Education in its mission to prepare educators and other professionals as agents of change for an equitable, inclusive, global society that improves the lives of children, adults, families, and community.
This goal is achieved in the Masters of Education by emphasizing the following Fundamental Areas and/or Core Courses in education, performance improvement, health, and human development:
- Philosophical, historical, sociocultural, and political influences;
- Impact of ecological factors on human development, health, and well-being across the lifespan;
- Research, writing, and innovation.
Preparation includes the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions and thus can be achieved through various means, such as coursework, field experiences, research, and community engagement. Although these fundamental areas provide an overarching umbrella that unites the College, individual Divisions and Programs may articulate these philosophical and theoretical tenets in different ways.
All students in a Masters of Education program must meet the General Professional Requirement through completion of the following Fundamental Areas and/or through completion of Core Courses, which are listed below:
Fundamental Areas
Philosophical, Historical, Sociocultural, and Political Influences include:
- Global/local education as social justice
- Knowledge of history and systems of discipline area and implications
- Issues of power and empowerment
- Perspectives on inclusive society
- Preparation for serving as an agent of change
Ecological Perspectives on Development, Health, and Wellbeing include:
- Psychology of learning across the lifespan
- Knowledge of human development, child/adolescent psychology
- Ecological influences on the quality of life issues
Research, Writing, and Innovation include:
- Methods of evaluation & research
- Critique of research
Core Courses
In addition to the Fundamental Areas above, the General Professional Requirement is met through completion of professional Core Courses. The student must complete three courses from three different areas chosen from those listed below. Courses within a student’s major area cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Counseling | ||
| CED 6700 | The Role of the Teacher in Guidance | 2 |
| Educational Administration | ||
| EDA 7600 | The Structure of American Education | 2 |
| Educational Psychology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 2-3 | |
| Child Psychology | ||
| Adolescent Psychology | ||
| The Learning Process | ||
| Evaluation and Research | ||
| EER 7610 | Evaluation and Measurement | 2-3 |
| History and Philosophy of Education | ||
| EHP 7600 | Philosophy of Education | 2-3 |