2009-2010 Graduate Catalog


Graduate Education Overview

Graduate Studies in Education
Bryce Sullivan, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Trevor F. Hutchins, Associate Dean, School of Education

Sarah Adams, Sally Barton-Arwood, Tabby Bewley, Sharon Crumpton, Rachael Flynn, Joy Kimmons (chair), Lauren Lunsford, Merrie King, C. Steven Murphree, Deborah Nunn*, Robbie Pinter, Jim Stamper, Cynthia Watkins
*adjunct


Vision:

As a central part of a premier teaching university, the unit provides the knowledge, skills, and experiences for a person to pursue a life-long commitment to quality teaching and/or learning. Our vision is for candidates  who see personal and professional development  as an integral human activity that involves both the development of their own knowledge and skills, plus the desire to assist others, children or adults,  in their development. We want our graduates to enjoy what they are doing and to be energized by creatively employing a variety of educative processes. We envision graduates who are positive role models in all senses and who continually reflect on their role and performance.

This vision, facilitated through and supported by Belmont University's vision of a consistently caring Christian environment, and enacted through our Conceptual Framework will enable the individual to build toward becoming an effective educator.

Purpose:

To provide an innovative approach to meet the needs of today's graduate candidates who are involved in any organization that is looking to grow and develop. A commitment to a strong theoretical base allied to the ability to successfully apply of this knowledge in a work-place context drives the purpose of these programs. Our overarching purpose is to assist candidates to effectively blend theory, research and practice, as they further their own development and assist in the development of others.

Goals:

The goals for the Master of Education degree are:

  1. To develop effective teachers who are scholars, skillful communicators, and competent practitioners.
  2. To integrate theory and practice.
  3. To facilitate the development in students of the qualities of effective teachers with an emphasis on: critical thinking, clear communication, strong academic understanding, leadership and high ethical standards. 

Overview:

The Department of Education offers two distinctly different graduate programs.

Licensure - MAT

The first, our MAT licensure program, leads to a state license to teach in schools, along with a graduate degree. The MAT is available in two formats –full-time and part-time. The fulltime program is our Internship, which can be completed in as little as 12 months. The part-time program can be structured to meet your individual time issues.

MAT Full-time Programs:

   Internships
   Montessori
   Special Education

MAT Part-time Program

M.Ed. (Non-licensure)

The Master of Education is designed for graduate candidates looking to focus on their own development but who may also have an interest in assisting others in their organization further develop their knowledge and skills. With several tracks designed to focus on different aspects of development or different organizational contexts graduates should be able to find a program that suits their needs. We also have a program that allows you to design over fifty percent of your program.

M.Ed. Full-time or Part-time Program:

   Learning and Organizational Change