Secondary Education

Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction (M.S., M.Ed., C.A.S.)

Master of Science (M.S.): The M.S. is a research-oriented degree which culminates in conducting a master’s thesis, guided by a committee of three faculty from the program or related fields. This is a 30-credit-hour program, including six credits of thesis research. Four courses (12 credits) are the same as for the M.Ed, as follows:

EHD 521 - Classroom Practice to Improve Learning - offered Fall semesters only
EHD 533 - Dynamics of the Curriculum - offered Spring semesters only
EHD 519 -Formative Assessments: Research, Practice and Policy- offered Spring semesters only
EHD 541 - Prevention and Intervention in School Settings
EHD 510–Introduction to Educational Research

In addition, students must complete six credits of thesis and three credits of research methods (Educational Research (EHD 575); Statistical Methods in Education (EHD 573); or Qualitative Research: Theory, Design, and Practice (EHD 571), as well as a three-course area of specialization chosen in consultation with the adviser and approved by the thesis committee. Depending on the student’s prior coursework, experience, and the thesis topic, the thesis committee may require a second research methods course in place of one of the specialization courses.

Master’s of Education (M.Ed.): The Master of Education program in Secondary Education with a concentration in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction is designed for high school teachers who, while continuing a career in classroom teaching, seek to assume responsibility and leadership roles in enhancing standards in the areas of curriculum, assessment and instruction. The degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours and is offered either completely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. The following six online courses (18 credits) are required of all students:

●   Classroom Practice to Improve Learning (EHD 521) - fall only
●   Dynamics of the Curriculum (EHD 533) - offered Spring semesters only
●   Formative Assessments: Research, Practice and Policy (EHD 519) -offered spring only.
●   Prevention and Intervention in School Settings (EHD 541) - offered fall only
●   Seminar: Action Research in PreK-12 Schools (EHD 586) - offered spring only.
●   Practicum: Action Research in PreK-12 Schools (EHD 587) - offered fall only.

In addition to these required courses, students take 15 credits of electives, of which 9 credits should form a cohesive area of specialization. These electives come from other degree programs, within or outside the College of Education and Human Development. For students seeking a fully online degree program, electives could come from other fully online degree programs, such as the COEHD master’s programs in instructional technology or in special education, or online programs outside COEHD, such as Maine Studies. Students are encouraged to select an approved Graduate Certificate for their specialization. A separate application (but not additional fee) may be required. Graduate certificates are noted on transcripts. If applying for a Graduate Certificate as part of the CA&I Master’s program or Certificate of Advanced Study, please apply through the Graduate School: https://umaine.edu/graduate/apply/. Please communicate with the program coordinators for the Graduate Certificates for details about any additional admission requirements.

Some other degree programs, such as literacy, also offer some online courses. For students who are able to attend classes on campus, there are additional graduate courses available from programs such as literacy, educational leadership, and the Master of Science in Teaching program offered by the Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center). An individually designed concentration can be developed with one’s advisor drawing from other campus classes.

Existing Areas of Specialization approved for the M.Ed in Elementary and Secondary Education include Graduate certificates in:

Positive Behavior RTI (9 credits)
High Leverage Practices to support inclusion (15 credits)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (9 credits)
Instructional Technology for Classrooms (12 credits)
Early Childhood Teacher (12 credits)
Individually designed concentration

Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.): The Certificate of Advanced Study in Secondary Education (Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction) is a 30 hour individually designed program and is available to students who have completed a master’s degree in Secondary Education or a related field. A student in the C.A.S.is also required to complete a capstone experience, such as an action research project or internship. If s/he has not already completed an action research project at the master’s level, then s/he should take the two-course sequence of action research courses (EHD 586 and EHD 587) offered through this program. If s/he has already done an action research project, then an internship may be arranged through another program, such as Educational Leadership. Aside from the capstone, a student in the C.A.S. program will work with their adviser to design a cohesive set of courses from the College and possibly related fields that will meet the student’s intellectual and professional needs. At least half the coursework must be taken within the College of Education and Human Development at the 500 level or above.