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)
• ETL 660 Capstone Seminar (0 credit hours)

II. CognateCoursework-12hours
Learners will choose four (4) courses from the following list:

• EDU 520 Assessment for Teaching and Learning
• EDU 612 Achievement Through a Cultural Lens
• EDU 616 Assessment as an Equity Strategy
• 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 635 Visionary School Leadership
• 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

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