SWAG��Ƶ

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The Master of Science in Education 

SWAG��Ƶ allows students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as curriculum, literacy, educational leadership, and inclusion for teachers looking to advance their career in education. Contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Program Requirements

Available Electives

Master of Science in Education — Reading Specialist

For educators interested in pursuing certification, the SWAG��Ƶ offers a program to equip teachers with the foundational knowledge and curriculum required by the State of Maine.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION — TEACHING METHODOLOGY

The Master of Science in Education — Teaching Methodology is available only to SWAG��Ƶ students who have successfully completed the Teacher Certification Program (TCP). The Teaching Methodology program is a 30 credit master’s degree encompassing 15 graduate credits from SWAG��Ƶ’s College of Arts and Sciences Teacher Certification Program and 15 core credits in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) Graduate Programs in Education. The CGPS graduate education courses are delivered online with in-depth study in the areas of professional learning communities, differentiation, motivation, and action research.

CAS Program Requirements

CGPS Program Requirements

Course Drop and Withdrawal Policy

The last date to drop a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course. Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal. Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Minimal Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Manager becomes aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)

Graduation Requirements

To complete the program and receive a Master of Science in Education, a student must:

• Complete all program requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Pay all tuition and fees.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the program.

After completing the M.S.Ed. program, students should be able to: 

1. Address the full range of student motivation and differentiation issues encountered in today's school systems
2. Analyze and conduct research relevant to their teaching or administrative interests
3. Document professional development in the program via an electronic portfolio of course work
4. Demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about their chosen area
5. Exhibit leadership in their classroom and/or school system
6. Develop online collaborative relationships with peers 

transfer credit

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Science in Education program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Be worth 3 credits.
• Have been taken within five years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better.
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.

Transfer credit cannot be accepted into the Master of Science in Education – Reading Specialist or any other program leading to State of Maine certification.

Admission requirements

• A bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Computer with internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online. 

Application Process

• Completed online application: http://go.une.edu/apply
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the M.S.Ed. program six (6) times a year: Summer A and B, Fall A and B, Spring A and B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited U.S. institution. See International Admissions.
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods to demonstrate English Proficiency, See International Admissions.
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language () are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the

exceptions

The Master of Science in Education program and the MSEd Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.