The Master of Arts and Education is a combined master's degree program offered by the Judith Herb College of Education in collaboration with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This degree is designed for students who wish to enhance their knowledge in a humanities or social sciences field and in education. As a general rule, students will have an advisor in the Judith Herb College of Education and in the collaborative college who will jointly plan and direct the program. Students who wish to complete their culminating experience in education will work with their Judith Herb College of Education advisor. Students who wish to complete their culminating experience in their humanities or social sciences field will work with their collaborative College advisor.

Areas of concentration include: economics, English, English as a second language (ESL), French, geography, German, history, mathematics, political science, sociology, Spanish. This program does not lead to a teaching license. Students interested in licensure should apply to one of the Licensure and Master's Programs (LAMP).

The MAE is a 36 semester hour program. Students take core educational courses along with courses selected with a faculty adviser based on the student's area of concentration. The program culminates with a theory and research class and the completion of either a master's seminar aimed at producing a publishable manuscript, a research-based project, or a thesis depending on the student's interest. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online and field-based courses. 

Admission to the Master of Arts and Education

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the master's program requires the following:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution

• An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work or acceptable scores on the GRE for prospective students with less than a 2.7 undergraduate GPA

• A well-written statement of purpose describing the student’s background and goals as well as the importance of the degree in achieving those goals

• Three letters of recommendation regarding the prospective student's potential for doing master's level work from professionals such as an undergraduate major advisor, current employer, school principal or others who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to engage in graduate work in the desired program

• A content area grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale for coursework in the selected concentration is preferred

• Undergraduate content area coursework in preparation for graduate work in the selected concentration 

The master's program has selective admissions and may admit a limited number of students. Thus, meeting all formal criteria does not guarantee admission.

What to Submit with Your Application

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• Statement of purpose

• Three letters of recommendation 

• GRE scores if required

Requirements for the MAE

For the Master of Arts and Education degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 36 semester hours of approved graduate course work

• The master's core requirement by completing one course in each of the four foundational areas in education (curriculum, research, psychological, and social and philosophical) within the first 18 semester hours of course work, i.e. four of the first six courses must be core courses

• An area of specialization in the concentration selected with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor

• A course in theory and research

• A thesis, project, or research seminar

In addition, no more than six semester hours of credit from any combination of workshops (5950), problems or special topics courses (5980 or 6980), and independent studies (5990 or 6990) may be included in the degree program.

All coursework and requirements of the master's degree must be taken within a six-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Plan of Study

A plan of study identifying the courses for the master's degree is required after 12 credit hours, generally at the end of the first semester of full time study. The master's plan of study must include the following within the 36 semester hour minimum:

• 12 credits of master's core courses

• 15 credits of specialization in the selected concentration 

• 3 credits of elective in the selected concentration or education

• 3 credits of theory and research 

• 3 credits of thesis, project or research seminar 

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Master of Arts and Education. Students should work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements.