Milligan recently announced a redesigned advanced Masters of Education program for current teachers who are seeking further professional development, such as national board approval or additional endorsement areas.
This is one of two M.Ed. programs offered at Milligan; the other program is designed for students who already have a baccalaureate degree but want a M.Ed. for teaching licensure.
The program for current teachers can be completed in as little as 15 months. Previously, the 36-hour program took two years to complete as long as the student took classes in the fall, spring and summer semesters. However, this program was “suspended due to a current absence of demand,” according to the college catalog.
“More than the lack of demand, it was cumbersome for people working full-time,” said Lyn Howell, assistant professor of education and coordinator of the program’s redesign.
This program required a student to take six hours per semester in a set order, according to Howell. The changes made to the program were in the format, not the curriculum. The redesigned program consists of 24 core classes and 12 elective hours. The core classes were separated into eight 3-hour courses, said Howell.
“[This way] students can decide at what point they’re going to take pieces of the core,” said Howell.
The advanced program was designed with courses that will help a teacher become certified by the national board, according to Howell. She estimated that the program has been in existence for less than ten years.
Teachers seeking board certification must have three years of teaching experience, submit a portfolio and take a test to become a “master teacher.”
When a teacher is certified, he or she is certified in all 50 states for the next 10 years, according to Howell.
“They [the National Board] are trying to set a national standard for teachers,” said Howell.
According to Howell, the program will be available this summer.
“We have several who have expressed interest in the program,” said Howell.
However, information has not yet been distributed to the schools.
“We’re still pulling everything together,” said Carrie Davidson, director of graduate admissions.
The program staff is updating application packets and developing flyers and informational brochures, according to Davidson.
The information will be distributed through a joint effort with both Davidson and the professors. Professors regularly visit schools where Milligan students are student teaching and can distribute information at those schools.
Davidson will be distributing information at schools where there are not currently Milligan students. She also hopes to work with principals at local schools to have information distributed at faculty meetings, set up an information booth or distribute information in the faculty mailboxes.