The Master of Education (M.Ed.)- Learner-Centered Systems provides organizational and instructional expertise to P-12 teachers and leaders who are committed to developing schools and classroom organizational systems and structures that engage students as leaders and decision-makers in their own learning. This 30-credit hour graduate-level program is focused on preparing teachers and school/district leaders who emulate and demonstrate proficiencies in:

• Increasing their instructional capacity for realizing a learner-centered and equitable model of education
• Designing authentic and relevant assessments for all learners
• Thinking strategically to identify the requirements of school-specific systems that supports learner-centered pedagogies
• Creating plans and collaborating with others to support collective transformation of practice
• Gaining confidence as they progress in their leadership journey

Unique Features of the Program

Program participants will benefit from the:

• Sequence of coursework offering in-depth orientation to student-centered approaches to teaching and learning in addition to structural, organizational, and cultural considerations necessary to make systemic change.
• Use of an instructional approach that combines course delivery with application at the classroom, school, or district level. Participants are fully integrated into a program that is designed to provide leadership experiences only available in school and district contexts.
• Access to national experts in the student-centered learning field to provide instruction, guidance, and coaching to students.

Admission Requirements

• A 2.75 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale;
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution;
• Two (2) favorable letters of recommendation. One must be from a direct supervisor.
• Essay;
• Professional Resume;
• Completed application packet.

Program Structure
The program has an interdisciplinary structure consisting of the following:

I. Program Core Courses- 18 hours
EDU 645 Learner-Centered Approaches to Communicating Growth and Outcomes (3 credit hours)
EDU 648 Group Dynamics (3 credit hours)
ETL 610 Philosophy, Interpretation, and Application of Research (3 credit hours)
ETL 615 Leadership Behavior and Promoting Change (3 credit hours)
ETL 625 Learner-Centered Design and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
ETL 630 Leadership for Instructional Improvement/Deeper Learning (3 credit hours)

II. Cognate Coursework- 12 hours
Learners will choose four (4) courses from the following list:
EDU 520 Assessment for Teaching and Learning
EDU 612 Assessment Through a Cultural Lens
EDU 623 Critical Conversations in School Culture
EDU 625 Teaching Seminar
EDU 626 Theories in Equity in Leadership Practice
EDU 632 Cultural Competence in the School Community
EDU 634 School Leadership and Community Engagement
EDU 636 Blended Learning
EDU 646 Promoting School Belonging
EDU 652 Building Student Agency Through Assessment
EDU 653 Student/Staff Identity and Equitable Leadership
EDU  673  Instructional Design
EDU 687 Curriculum of the Schools
ETL 620 Professional Learning for School Transformation
ETL 650  Assessing Learning for Student Achievement

III. Capstone Seminar- 0 hours
ETL 660 Capstone Seminar (0 credit hours)

A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for successful exit from the program. One course grade of F or two course grades of C lead to automatic dismissal from the program and the University.

Endorsement
The completion of the Master of Education in Learner-Centered Systems can be applied to a Planned 6th Year Rank I Program for Kentucky Teacher Endorsement for candidates meeting program requirements.

Program Sheets
Master of Education in Learner-Centered Systems (non-endorsement)
Planned 6th Year Rank I Program