Dr. Norma Harper, Dean School of Education
Dr. Gertrude M. Morris, Director of Graduate Studies in Education
Ms. Mary Antley, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Dean, the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Education, and the Director of Graduate Studies in Education
Faculty: Dr. Patricia B. Bower, Dr. Donald R. Clerico, Dr. Marie K. Griffin, Dr. Norma W. Harper, Dr. Linda Karges-Bone, Dr. Gertrude M. Morris,
Dr. Melanie G. Reynolds-Murphy
The Offices of the Dean of the School of Education, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Education, the Director of Graduate Studies in Education and the faculty are located in H. C. Wingo Hall.
Purpose and Program Standards
The primary purpose of the Master of Education programs in the School of Education is to prepare aspiring administrators and master teachers who are competent, caring and committed to educating an increasingly diverse student body to higher academic standards in P-12 schools. The Preparing Competent, Caring Educators Committed to Student Success model serves to advance the professional growth of educators to higher levels of accomplished teaching, administration, and leadership.
The School of Education at Charleston Southern University operates within a unified conceptual framework–Competent, Caring and Committed Educator–that guides all our undergraduate and graduate programs, syllabi, teaching, service, scholarship, assessment, and unit accountability. Collaboratively developed both institutionally and within the School of Education’s greater educational community, the framework constitutes what we believe to be a highly qualified professional who will contribute positively and productively to programs and practices that are in the best interest of students and the broader community. Three major standards across all programs comprise the conceptual framework and support the unit’s programs and actions. These standards assessed by specific performance indicators are aligned to the standards of professional organizations such as, INTASC, NCATE, NBPTS, NASM, ELCC, ACEI, NAEYC, and content areas; state and national curriculum standards, South Carolina assessment standards (ADEPT & ADEPP); and the Unit’s vision, aim, mission, and philosophy as outlined in the CSU Handbook for Educational Administration and the CSU Handbook for the Master in Elementary and Secondary Education. All programs are approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education. The School of Education at Charleston Southern University is also nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Programs of Study
The School of Education offers four graduate degrees. The Master of Education degree is offered in Elementary Education and Secondary Education with an emphasis in English or Social Studies. The Master of Education degree in Educational Administration is offered in Elementary School Administration and Supervision and in Secondary School Administration and Supervision.
Upon completion of the program, competent, caring, and committed individuals will demonstrate and provide evidence they possess the knowledge, performance behaviors, and dispositions to meet the ever-changing social, emotional, and academic needs of diverse children and youth.
Levels of Instruction
- Most graduate courses are numbered at the 600 level.
- Some graduate/undergraduate courses are numbered at the 500 level. Graduate students must perform at a substantially higher level to receive graduate credits. This higher performance will normally involve advanced rigor in application and research activities representative of advanced standards and approved and supervised by the faculty member concerned. Special examination procedures will be employed for graduate students enrolled in such courses.
- A student may not receive graduate credit for a 500 level course if he/she has taken the course as an undergraduate.
- At least half of the courses counted toward the degree must be earned at the 600 level or higher.
- Undergraduate (300 and 400) level courses may be required of students with a deficiency of background. Such courses cannot be counted toward the master’s degree.
Curriculum outline:
Master of Education in Elementary Education
Master of Education in Secondary Education
Master of Education in Elementary School Administration and Supervision
Master of Education in Secondary School Administration and Supervision
Admissions Process and Requirements of the Master’s Programs in the School of Education
Each applicant for admission, except the non-degree student, must file with Graduate Admissions a complete dossier consisting of the following:
- Submit completed application packet to The Graduate Center
- An application fee (nonrefundable) must accompany the application
- Submit supporting documents: Baccalaureate degree from an institution approved by a regional accrediting agency and a valid SC Teaching Certificate
- Provide two professional letters of recommendation from current or former supervisors
- Present a score of 800 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or 343 Miller Analogy Exam (MAT).
- Provide proof of GPA of at least 2.75 for the last two years of undergraduate study, and/or 3.0 GPA of graduate study (if applicable)
- Submit official transcripts from ALL institutions where undergraduate and/or graduate courses have been taken. (Official transcripts are those mailed from the school or college directly to The Graduate Center)
- Submit a writing sample with provided topic located in application packet.
- Complete a disposition belief survey located in application packet.
Provisional Admission of Graduate Students
Admission as a provisional graduate student may be granted when the student has not met requirements for regular admission prior to the term the student desires to begin classes. Provisional graduate students can take no more than six (6) credit hours. A student must gain regular admission into a master’s program before being permitted to continue taking graduate courses. Financial Aid is not available to provisional students.
Conditional Acceptance of Graduate Students
- A student who does not meet the minimum admission standards for test scores (GRE or MAT) or whose writing sample and/or disposition belief survey are unacceptable will meet with the Director of Graduate Studies in Education and will be informed of the results. The candidate may be admitted with “conditional” status.
- Conditional admission can be given only upon the specific recommendation of the Director of Graduate Studies in Education.
- A student admitted on a conditional basis must show a GPA of at least 3.5 on the first six (6) semester hours taken. Upon recommendation by the Director of Graduate Studies in Education, the conditional admission will be removed and the student reclassified as a regular admit student. This requirement must be met or the student will not be allowed to continue to seek the master’s degree. Financial Aid is not available to students under Conditional acceptance.
Non-degree Admission of Graduate Students
Admission as a non-degree graduate student may be granted when the student has a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and meets one of the following:
- The student does not desire to work toward a graduate degree, or
- The student is enrolled in another university and desires to obtain credit to be transferred to the graduate school in which he or she is seeking a degree.
Non-degree graduate students can take no more than six (6) credit hours. A student must gain regular admission into a master’s program before being permitted to continue taking graduate courses. Program for Alternative Certification (PACE) students are allowed to take up to nine (9) credit hours. Financial Aid is not available to non-degree students.
- Regulations Governing Nondegree Graduate Students: A nondegree student must present a transcript showing a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or present a valid teacher’s certificate. Even though a nondegree graduate student has been admitted to the University, he or she has not been admitted to any department or to any degree program. No more than twelve (12) credit hours earned while classified as a nondegree graduate student at Charleston Southern University will be accepted toward a master’s degree. A student must gain formal admission into a masters program before being permitted to continue taking graduate courses. No more than twelve (12) credit hours of study may be taken as a nondegree student. Financial Aid is not available to nondegree students.
International Students
Academically qualified students from foreign countries are encouraged to apply for admission to Charleston Southern University. Applicants must be sufficiently proficient in English to be able to study entirely in the English language. The following must be sent to the Enrollment Services Office in addition to the admission materials for the graduate program:
- Official Bank Statement
- Official Course by Course Evaluation (See admissions application packet for approved agencies)
- Official TOEFL (Students from countries where English is not the primary language will be required to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550; computer-based score of 213 or internet-based score of 79.)
- International Student Eligibility Form
Due to Immigration and Naturalization Service requirements and the necessity of having transcripts evaluated, the deadline for admission applications from International students is one calendar month prior to “registration day” (according to the CSU Academic Calendar) of the academic term of entry. Applications received after the deadline may be considered for a future entry term if the applicant desires. Students are required to have their academic transcript(s) evaluated by an outside agency prior to admissions acceptance. All fees for these services are paid by the student directly to the party or agency providing them. You may call the Office of Enrollment Services for more information.
When an applicant has been accepted by the University, a Certificate of Eligibility for the nonimmigrant (F-1) student, known as Form I-20 A-B, will be mailed along with an acceptance letter. Students entering Charleston Southern University must assume full financial responsibility for tuition and charges incurred.
In the event a student is being sponsored by an individual or company, an Affidavit of Support and supporting financial documents must be submitted by the sponsor on behalf of the student. After issuance of Form I-20 A-B and prior to the drop/add deadline of the respective term, an advance cash deposit is required to be on file within the business office in the amount of the total cost of the term, including any necessary insurance premium. Otherwise Charleston Southern University reserves the right to deny the student attendance for that term.
Transfer Credits
Graduate credits accepted for transfer from other accredited institutions must be completed within the six year period allowed for a master’s degree. Only coursework completed with a grade of “B” or better will be considered for transfer credit. No coursework evaluated by “pass/fail” grades will be accepted. No professional development courses will be accepted.
A maximum of 6 hours will be accepted for transfer credit from other accredited institutions for those seeking a Master of Education in Elementary or Secondary Education. A maximum of 9 hours will be accepted for transfer credit from other accredited institutions for those seeking a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Courses at Other Institutions
A student desiring to take a graduate course at another regionally accredited institution must secure permission to do so in advance from the Director of Graduate Studies in Education.
Student Progress
Each student admitted to the program is assigned an advisor, meets with the Director of Graduate Studies in Education, and attends an orientation session. Prior to registration, the student must obtain his or her advisor’s course approvals. Beginning with the first course of a student’s program, each student is required to purchase a personal account and participate in Charleston Southern University School of Education’s data management system through course assignments and responsibilities.
Satisfactory Progress
The student must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA on courses attempted in both the education/professional core and the special interest/area of specialization courses.
Probation
A student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If the GPA falls below 3.00 it must be raised to the required GPA in the next semester or the student will be ineligible to continue in the program. The GPA is calculated only on work at Charleston Southern University. A student can not earn more than one “C” in their program of study. If a student earns more than one “C,” the student’s record will be reviewed with his or her advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies in Education. The student may be required to withdraw from the program.
Any student who is ineligible to continue in or withdraws from a program may reapply in an area outside of education. A student, who is dropped from or withdraws from a program but wishes to continue taking classes, must state in writing that he or she understands that the work will not be applied toward a degree.
Failing Grades
If an M.Ed. student earns a grade of “F” in a graduate course the course must be retaken at Charleston Southern University and passed with a grade of “B” or better before any additional coursework may be attempted in order to continue at CSU.
After earning one “F,” regardless of the GPA, the student is notified that he or she is on academic probation and that a subsequent grade of “C” or “F” will result in expulsion from the program.
Grade appeals may be initiated by the student in writing to the School of Education.
Attendance
- The student is responsible for all course work including electronic submissions and requirements;
- The student is obligated to attend classes regularly and punctually; consistent with graduate School of Education policy, more than 3 absences will result in a grade of “FA” (Failure for Absence) for fall and spring semesters. Maymester and summer session courses will be adjusted accordingly.
- The student is expected to carry out all assignments promptly
Graduation
The student must have completed the program with an overall 3.00 GPA, earn a “B” or better on all course key assessments, earn a “B” or better in the capstone course. All students must apply for graduation in the Office of the Registrar by the deadline dates published in the Academic Calendar .
Validation of Credits
All credits earned at Charleston Southern University or accepted by transfer will remain valid if the master’s degree is completed within six (6) calendar years from the time of the student’s first course applied toward the degree.