Elementary Education, M.Ed.

Location(s): Online

Wesleyan’s unique Master of Education program invites practicing classroom teachers who believe in the power of authentic learning, who desire a shift from mundane educational trends, and who wish to become active inquirers to join us in a journey of self discovery, organic learning experiences, and active research around timeless and proven classroom practices.

The program is designed around 5 foundational beliefs:

The classroom as a community of inquiry.
The power of play and creativity in the learning process.
The importance of mindfulness and interacting with the natural world.
The value of building literacy through oral language skills.
The benefits of integration of content across the curriculum.

M.Ed. Learning Outcomes

Through course work and experiences in this program, the student will be able to:

Develop an understanding of the relationship between content and content-specific pedagogy, instructional strategy, and teaching techniques.
Make data-driven decisions about student learning and achievement, continuous school improvement, and professional practice through the design and implementation of an action-research project implemented in their classrooms.
Design and implement a comprehensive, age-appropriate curriculum that encompasses all facets of a child’s growth and development, spanning cognitive, emotional, social, and physical domains.
Investigate and comprehend the varying capabilities and learning approaches among students, and explore how teaching methods and learning environments can be tailored to accommodate the diverse needs of all learners.
Convey the concept of agency by actively engaging in the educational process as change agents. Having agency implies that the candidate realizes they have the power to act within their classroom, school, and community.
Demonstrate the process or state of acting or of being active through both physical and mental activity. By processing the theoretical concepts, research, and outcomes candidates ultimately take action toward implementing effective changes in the classroom, schools, districts, and ultimately the chosen area of expertise ultimately connected to the 5 foundational beliefs.

Program of Study

The M.Ed. program is designed to allow a cohort of candidates to earn a graduate degree in the area of elementary education (P-5). This year-long program requires a total of 32 semester hours taken in the sequence outlined.

Summer-to-Spring Program Leading to the M.Ed. in Elementary Education: Total Credits, 32

Additional Information

The M.Ed. program is built around a cohort model. The candidate will enter and complete the program as part of the same cohort. Candidates will follow the prescribed course calendar along with their cohort members during the 12 month period of their degree program.

Deviations from the prescribed course calendar are not allowed except in cases of emergency. These will be decided on a case-by-case basis by majority vote of the Graduate Admissions Committee with the approval of the Provost of the College.

Graduation Requirements

The candidate must complete the 32 hours required for the M.Ed. with a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average on all work attempted. A minimum of 26 hours must be taken at Wesleyan College.

Note that courses taken under previous Wesleyan Master of Arts in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Middle Grades Math and Science Education programs do not transfer to the current M.Ed. program.

Post-Baccalaureate Initial Certification Teacher Education Program

Individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and are interested in pursuing teacher certification can complete the necessary requirements at Wesleyan College through the Post-Baccalaureate Initial Certification Teacher Education Program. This program is designed for candidates who hold a degree in a field other than education and wish to become certified to teach children in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

Interested candidates should contact the Education Department at Wesleyan College to discuss their specific situation and to develop a personalized plan for completing the certification requirements. The Education Department faculty will provide guidance and support throughout the certification process.+

Program Definition

The Post-Baccalaureate Initial Certification Teacher Education Program is a non-degree program that requires candidates to hold a minimum of a baccalaureate or higher degree for entry. The program provides initial preparation for certification in the field of elementary education, as defined by the Professional Standards Committee (PSC) of Georgia.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Initial Certification Teacher Education Program, applicants must:

Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Take and pass the Georgia Educator Ethics Exam.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Provide a current resume and a statement of purpose outlining their reasons for pursing teacher certification.
Participate in an interview with the Education Department faculty.

Upon admission to the program, candidates will work closely with their assigned faculty advisor to develop an individualized plan of study that meets all certification requirements set forth by the PSC.