Master of Education

Degree Type

Master of Education
College

Health, Education, and Human Sciences
Contact

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Monica Riley
Phone: 479-788-7912

The Master of Education program at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith offers concentrations in both English and Curriculum. Affordable, flexible, and specifically designed for working teachers - the M.Ed. at UAFS.

A Master of Education demonstrates your commitment to education with a higher level of expertise, enabling upward mobility in the profession and improved earning potential. Flexible hybrid courses are designed to accommodate a working adult’s busy schedule. All program courses are taught by UAFS’s on-campus faculty who are readily available to help you take that next step in your teaching journey.

The M.Ed. program is intended for current classroom teachers already in the workforce who desire professional advancement as well as recent teacher licensure graduates who want to advance their knowledge and further academic preparation prior to entering the workforce. Beyond improving your classroom an advanced degree also improves your earning potential. In fact, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality, teachers with an M.Ed. earn an average of $2,760 more in their first year and up to $7,358 more per year by the time they reach their maximum pay scale.

Format

Hybrid

Credit Hours

Degree Plan

M.Ed. – English

M.Ed. – Curriculum and Instruction

Concentrations

Curriculum and Instruction (MECI) - The MECI emphasis area is designed for any K-12 certified teacher interested in increasing their expertise related to curriculum implementation and pedagogy. Candidates will take 12 hours of core coursework and 18 hours of coursework in curriculum and pedagogical study.

English (MELA) - The MELA emphasis area is designed for 4-8 or 7-12 teachers certified to teach English who are seeking to increase their knowledge in English content and pedagogy. Candidates following this pathway will take 12 hours of core coursework and 18 hours of English content courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

The M.Ed. program bases program learning outcomes on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The NBPTS establishes and upholds rigorous expectations for what expert teachers should know and do. This graduate course enhances student abilities in the following areas:

Commitment: Teachers believe that all students can learn and meet high expectations. Teachers are committed to all learners and are passionate about teaching. They develop relationships with students in a variety of educational settings. Teachers create learning experiences that differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students. They understand their subjects and how to teach those subjects to students.
Responsibility: Teachers facilitate and supervise student learning. Teachers embrace a variety of methods to increase student success. They establish social norms within a variety of dynamic grouping options. They motivate and engage students while assessing student performance.
Systematic Thinking: Teachers critique their practices and learn from experience. Teachers evaluate their practices and expand their learning based on best practices, current research, evolving technologies, and student data.
Leadership: Teachers demonstrate leadership that fosters excellence, effectiveness, and collaboration with colleagues, families, and the community. Teachers approach their work with a team mentality. They collaborate with all stakeholders, sharing vital information and planning a course of action that will improve the effectiveness of the school.