Education, M.A.

The Education, M.A. program is not accepting applications for the 2021-22 academic year.

The master’s in education is designed for educational professionals interested in deepening their understanding of important issues and developing more effective strategies to meet the needs of students of all ages. The program offers extensive support from colleagues and faculty, a collaborative environment, and a curriculum delivered online (in the evenings) for working professionals. The program is designed to allow students to tailor their work towards developing expertise in an area of interest on a broad array of topics, from improving communication through infant massage to models of teacher leadership in managing schools.

To be admitted candidates must: (1) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent academic preparation); (2) be in good academic standing at the last university attended; and (3) have a GPA of at least 3.00 in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted.

If the bachelor’s degree is from a postsecondary institution where English is not the principal language of instruction, score at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Additional information is available on the School of Education website.

Requirements for the Degree (30 units)

Students may choose to earn a M.A. in Education only or students in the approved credential programs below may work with an advisor to apply 12 units of credential coursework toward the M.A. in Education and earn both a M.A and Teaching Credential.

Core Courses (18 Units)

EDUC 610 - Education in Society Units: 3
EDUC 620 - Pedagogy: Practice & Research Units: 3
EDUC 645 - Academic Writing in Education Units: 2
EDUC 655 - Educational Research Units: 3
EDUC 682 - Mixed Methods in Education Research Units: 4
EDUC 690 - Thesis Units: 1-3 (3 units required)
or
EDUC 692 - Master’s Project Units: 1-3 (3 units required)

Emphases (12 Units)

Choose one emphasis below. With advisor approval, the 12-unit requirement may be satisfied by Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, Educational Leadership, Administrative Services or Adapted Physical Education post-baccalaureate credential courses.

Specialized Emphasis (Non-Credential)

Complete 12 units selected in consultation with an advisor.

Adapted Physical Education Electives

Courses can include, but are not limited to the following:

KINS 535 - Assessment Techniques Units: 2
KINS 577 - Adapted Physical Education Programs Units: 4
KINS 578 - Adapted Aquatics for Instructors Units: 2
KINS 695 - Directed Field Experience Units: 1-6

Elementary Education Electives

Courses can include, but are not limited to the following:

EDUC 377 - Education of Exceptional Individuals Units: 2
EED 712 - Teaching & Learning in Elementary Education Units: 1
EED 720 - The School & the Student Units: 0.5-3
EED 720B - The School & the Student Units: 0.5-3
EED 721 - Multicultural Foundations Units: 0.5-2
EED 722 - English Language Skills & Reading Units: 0.5-3
EED 722B - English Language Skills & Reading Units: 0.5-3
EED 723 - Integrating Math/Science in Elementary School Units: 0.5-4
EED 723B - Integrating Math/Science in Elementary School Units: 0.5-4
EED 724 - Fine Arts in the Integrated Elementary Curriculum Units: 0.5-1
EED 724B - Fine Arts in the Integrated Elementary Curriculum Units: 0.5-1
EED 728 - History/Social Science in the Integrated Elementary Curriculum Units: 0.5-2
EED 728B - History/Social Science in the Integrated Elementary Curriculum Units: 0.5-2
EED 733 - Teaching English Learners Units: 1
EED 733B - Teaching English Learners Units: 1
EED 741 - Health & PE Curriculum in Elementary School Units: 2

Secondary Education Electives

Courses can include, but are not limited to the following:

SED 712 - Teaching & Learning in Secondary Schools Units: 2
SED 714 - Educational Psychology Units: 2
SED 715 - Multicultural Education Units: 2
SED 730 - Bilingual/ELD Theory & Methods Units: 3
SED 743 - Content Area Literacy Units: 3
SED 776 - Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms Units: 2

Special Education Electives

Courses can include, but are not limited to the following:

SPED 702 - Foundations of General & Special Education Units: 3
SPED 703 - Foundations of Assessment & Program Planning Units: 3
SPED 705 - Multicultural Special Education Units: 2
SPED 706 - Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers Units: 3
SPED 707 - Curriculum & Instruction - Reading & Language Arts Units: 3
SPED 777 - Education of Exceptional Individuals Units: 2

Educational Leadership Emphasis (M.A./Credential)

Complete 12 units selected in consultation with an advisor.

Candidates in the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential may apply 12 units toward the Master of Arts in Education. Students may earn a combined master’s degree in education and an Administrative Services Credential. Students may begin by applying for the EDL credential and then decide during their first semester whether or not to complete the combined EDL/MA program.

Special Education Emphasis (M.A./Credential)

(The Special Education Emphasis will not be offered during the 2021-22 academic year.)

Complete 12 units selected in consultation with an advisor.

Students must have completed the Preliminary Credential Program and two years as a special education teacher in a U.S. public school. Candidates may apply 12 units of credential coursework to the master’s degree in education.

SPED 799 - Directed Study Units: 1-3

Elective Courses

Complete 9-11 units selected in consultation with an advisor. This requirement may be satisfied by special education credential courses.

Education, M.A. Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the M.A. in Education possess the necessary knowledge and skills to analyze the organizational, pedagogical, and curricular issues related to their professional endeavors, investigate those issues systematically, and develop deeper professional insights in the pursuit of effective educational practices.
As leaders in the field, our graduates develop a culturally sustaining framework and approach to the social, organizational, and professional concerns related to their practice.
As educators, our graduates explore the nature, and process of learning so as to inform teaching practices and educational policies.
As master’s candidates, students engage in exploring the professional literature to develop a theoretical basis for either research that will enhance the knowledge base in the field of education, or to form the foundation for applied projects that benefit the educational community.
As representatives of Humboldt State University, our graduates reenter the field empowered to create positive change, to assess that change, and with an ethic that positions professional insight within the context of what is known in the broader field of education so as to maximize the probability for positive impacts on student lives.