Earn your Masters in Education 
The Master of Education degree makes extensive use of integrated theoretical and field-related experiences in the major program areas of curriculum and instruction (with areas of concentration in classroom instruction, intervention specialist-mild/moderate, intervention specialist - moderate/intensive, early childhood intervention specialist, middle childhood education, talent development education, early childhood education, educational technology, teacher leader, literacy) educational administration, school treasurer/business manager, sport education adapted physical education pre k-12 and sport sciences (with areas of concentration in applied exercise science and sport management).
This approach helps the classroom teacher incorporate the works of knowledgeable practitioners and theoreticians into already existing classroom structures and instructional practices.
All programs require successful completion of 12 semester hour credits of basic core subjects and an APA seminar.
Graduate classes are scheduled for evening hours during the fall and spring
semesters. Summer classes normally meet during morning and/or early afternoon
hours. Separate course and time schedules are published for distribution each
semester and summer term.
Options for Graduate Degree Candidates
Students in certain degree programs may elect one of five options in which to complete their degree.OPTION A: Requires a practicum project with report and a minimum of 35 semester hours of credit.
The practicum is a fully documented and procedurally defensible report of a specially formulated field practicum experience. The topic of this practicum paper should arise through personal exploration and application of major and elective course work and field experiences. The topic must be approved by the practicum adviser prior to the initiation of the practicum project.
The original and appropriate copies of practicum reports or theses, with grades, must be submitted prior to the time the degree is granted. The original will be retained for the archives and one copy will be bound for general reference purposes. A bindery fee is paid by the graduate student for the Ashland University Library's circulation copy and any bound copies wanted by the student.
Examinations
The number and format of individual course examinations is at the discretion of the faculty member. A final oral examination before an examining committee is required for the M.Ed. degree. The oral examination concept is designed to assess the candidate's ability to deal with various components of the course of study by relating them to the resolution of field practicum activities or projects. The student and faculty proacticum adviser will share in the selection of the examining committee. Examining committee membership may include a minimum of one at-large institutional faculty representative and the student's practicum adviser.
OPTION B: Requires additional coursework or fieldwork for a capstone experience. The choices for this option are as follows:
1. The inquiry seminar is a 5-hour capstone experience, conducted by full-time faculty. The class is limited to 15 students and may exceed one semester. The course has a broad theme (for like-minded students to enroll); the students will normally research more specific topics within the theme. Themes might include such topics as finance, curriculum, school improvement, etc. Requirements for the seminar include readings, focused discussions, a major paper following APA style, and a public presentation. students must apply in advance to the professor in charge. The professor determines who is to be included in the seminar.
2. Because matching needs of school treasurer majors with specific, technical courses is required, they may choose to fulfill the capstone experience by taking six elective credit hours plus a comprehensive exam (which meets NCATE standards). The 6 hours elected for partial fulfillment of this option must be chosen under the advisement of the School Treasurer Coordinator, and approved by the Program Director.
OPTION C: An internship fulfills the specific needs of Education Administration and School Treasurer (those seeking licensure or degree). Other major areas may elect this option.
This is a 6 hour culminating field experience, taught and supervised by full time faculty. Its focus is in two parts: (1) A seminar in preparation for experience with the outcome a written proposal stating professional development needs, goals set, review of related literature, techniques and procedures to be used; and (2) the internship, which involves the implementation of the proposal in a field experience setting. The students are placed with practicing educators, and are supervised by full time faculty. The internship students will also document their experience through the preparation of a portfolio which includes a written paper and evaluations from practicing educators and university faculty. The portfolio may also include field notes, journals, video tapes, audio tapes, etc. The Educational Administration Internship is a year long, two semester, six (6) semester hour field based experience. The two three (3) semester hour courses must be taken consecutively. This internship is a field based experience and will allow students to work with a cooperating administrator to observe the functions of the position, assume leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating selected internship experiences based on theoretical knowledge and gain practical experience.
OPTION D: Requires a thesis with a minimum of 35 semester hours of credit. This option is only available in limited situations in the major program areas of:
*Curriculum and Instruction with area of concentration in Classroom Instruction
*Sport Education
The Thesis is a scholarly paper prepared on a topic which embodies results from original research of a specific nature. The student must submit and defend a proposal acceptable to a committee. Upon proposal acceptance, the student develops and defends the thesis around extensive and thorough research. The thesis option is only available in limited situations in the two major program areas listed.
OPTION E: The Mentorship capstone is a 5 hour supervised research project that divides the total hours into segments allowing the candidate and mentor (professor) to work collaboratively for an extended period initially with mentor to determine a long term project that can be a focus of study during the candidate's progress through the program coursework. During the coursework, the candidate will take another portion of the credit hours to complete the majority of the research for the project. At the culmination of coursework the candidate will work with the mentor to complete the project