Master of Science - Education
Department of Education, Special Education, Social Work, and Communication Disorders
Within the Department of Education, Special Education, Social Work, and Communication Disorders, there are fourteen areas of concentration leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in Education. They are community & college counseling; curriculum & instruction specialist/K-8 Math; curriculum & instruction specialist/LD E/BD & Mild MR; curriculum & instruction specialist/modern languages; curriculum & instruction specialist/music; educational leadership; elementary curriculum & instruction specialist; elementary education PreK-6 initial licensure; guidance & counseling; literacy & culture; modern languages/ESL PreK-12 initial licensure; school library media; and special education PreK-12 initial licensure. In addition, the M.S. degree is awarded to Longwood students enrolled in the Liberal Studies/Special Education five-year program. The department also offers four graduate licensure only programs in educational leadership, literacy and culture, school library media, and special education PreK-12.
The programs are built around three key elements: scholarly investigation, faculty mentoring, and supervised practical experiences. Expect to develop your ability to think critically and creatively and to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely. We prepare our graduates for advancement in their chosen career, for future educational opportunities, and for leadership in community and professional activities. At Longwood, theory is always related to practice, the latest in instructional and information technology is at your fingertips, and talented and caring faculty are dedicated to helping you succeed.
CONCENTRATIONS:
Community and College Counseling
Curriculum & Instruction Specialist in K-8 Mathematics
Curriculum & Instruction Specialist in LD, E/BD and Mild MR
Curriculum & Instruction Specialist in Modern Languages
Curriculum & Instruction Specialist in Music
Educational Leadership - Degree or Licensure Only
Elementary Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
Elementary Education PreK-6 Initial Licensure
Literacy and Culture - Degree or Licensure
Only Modern
Languages/ESL PreK-12 Initial Licensure
School
Library Media - Degree or Licensure Only
Special Education/Liberal
Studies 5th Year
Special
Education PreK-12 Initial Licensure - Degree or Licensure Only
THESIS
The writing of an acceptable thesis is an option for the curriculum and instruction specialist/LD, E/BD & Mild MR concentration, the curriculum and instruction specialist/Music, the special education/liberal studies 5-year concentration, and the special education PreK-12 initial licensure concentration. The thesis proposal will summarize the proposed study and give research methodology or critical framework for the study. The thesis proposal is formulated by the student in consultation with an advisor and submitted to the student's thesis committee. The student's thesis committee will be composed of three graduate faculty members; adjunct faculty will not serve on this committee. The Longwood University Human and Animal Subjects Research Review committee must approve the proposal prior to commencement of the research.
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
The writing of an acceptable research article is an option for the curriculum and instruction specialist/LD, E/BD & Mild MR concentration, the curriculum and instruction specialist/music, the special education/liberal studies 5-year concentration, and the special education PreK-12 initial licensure concentration. The collaborative research proposal will summarize the proposed study and give research methodology or critical framework for the study. The collaborative research proposal is formulated by the student in consultation with a faculty member either conducting similar research or willing to support the student's research. It is then submitted to the student's collaborative research committee. The student's collaborative research committee will be composed of three graduate faculty members; adjunct faculty will not serve on this committee. The Longwood University Human and Animal Subjects Research Review committee must approve the proposal prior to commencement of the research.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
The completion of a comprehensive examination is a requirement in all of the concentrations except those mentioned above where it is an option. It is not an option in the curriculum and instruction specialist/Music concentration. The comprehensive examination will be of the essay type, consisting of several broad question areas. It is designed to evaluate the student's competency in written expression and the ability to reason. In addition, the student's knowledge of and ability to apply specific theory and research relating to his/her area of concentration will be evaluated. The grading system for the evaluation of the comprehensive examination will be pass/fail. Two of the three members of the committee must agree for a "Pass" grade.
GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER
Students in the Elementary Education PreK-6 Initial Licensure, Special Education PreK-12 Initial Licensure, and Modern Languages PreK-12 Initial Licensure programs must complete a professional semester to meet state licensing requirements. This professional semester is designed as the capstone course in these programs. For those students who are already teaching under a Provisional or Special Education Conditional License, enrollment in the professional semester is still a requirement, but will be a mentorship of their current teaching position.
To be eligible, a student must have a 3.00 GPA, passing scores on Praxis I (or an equivalent SAT score) and II, and all other programs requirements completed. An application must be completed and filed with the Office of Professional Services, Hull - Room 256, by 12 noon on the last day of classes one (1) year in advance of the professional semester. Praxis I & II score reports must be submitted with the application if you did not list Longwood University as a score recipient when you took the tests. Applications to the professional semester may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies or the Office of Professional Services or by visiting the following web address: http://www.longwood.edu/cehs/professional_services/professional_services_info.htm#StudentTeaching, scroll to Graduate Professional Semester Application near the bottom.
For more information, please contact the Department of Education, Special Education, Social Work, and Communication Disorders, Hull Building, Room 259, 434-395-2324; or the Office of Graduate Studies, Ruffner Hall, Rooms 132 - 138, 434-395-2707; mailing address Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909.
Site Last Updated: 7-24-2006