Master of Education: Learner-Centered Practices | Spalding University Catalog

Master of Education: Learner-Centered Practices

The Master of Education (M.Ed.)- Learner-Centered Practices provides instructional expertise to P-12 teachers and leaders who are committed to developing schools and classrooms 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 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 a classroom that supports learner-centered pedagogies
  • Creating plans and collaborating with others to support collective transformation of practice
  • Gaining confidence as they progress in their teaching 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.
  • Use of an instructional approach that combines course delivery with application at the classroom level. Participants are fully
  • integrated into a program that is designed to provide leadership experiences only available in school 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
  • Official Transcripts from all universities attended.
  • 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 648 Group Dynamics (3 credit hours)
  • ETL 625 Learner-Centered Design and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
  • ETL 650 Assessing Learning for Student Achievement (3 credit hours)
  • ETL 660 Capstone Seminar (0 credit hours)

Choose three (3) of the following:

  • EDU 625 Teaching Seminar (3 credit hours)
  • EDU 687 Curriculum of the Schools (3 credit hours)
  • ETL 615 Leadership Behavior and Promoting Change (3 credit hours)
  • ETL 620 Professional Learning for School Transformation (3 credit hours)

II. CognateCoursework-12 hours
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 of 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 645 Learner-Centered Approaches to Growth and Outcomes
  • EDU 646 Promoting School Belonging
  • EDU 652 Building Student Agency Through Assessment
  • EDU 653 Student/Staff Identity and Equitable Leadership
  • EDU 673 Instructional Design
  • ETL 610 Philosophy, Interpretation, and Application of Research
  • ETL 620 Professional Learning for School Transformation
  • ETL 625 Learner-Centered Design and Evaluation
  • ETL 630 Leadership for Instructional Improvement/Deeper Learning

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 Master of Education in Learner-Centered Systems does not lead to a Kentucky Professional Educator endorsement. However,
completion of courses in the program can be applied to a Planned 6th Year Rank I Program.

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