Program Overview 

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in elementary education is designed for teachers who hold a T-4 teaching certificate in elementary education. It provides advanced professional and pedagogical studies that develop expertise in the knowledge, skills, and habits of accomplished teachers.

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the M.Ed. program, the candidate may apply to upgrade teacher certification to the T-5 level.

Program of Study 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Area 1 Professional Core
ELEM 6156	Theories, Concepts, and Applications of Child Development	3
EDUF 6116	Educational Research Methods	3
Area 1 Total		6
Area 2 Concentration
ELEM 6145	Exploring the World with Young Learners	3
ELEM 6155	Elementary Education in a Contemporary Society	3
ELEM 6166	Assessment Methodologies, Instruments, and Procedures in Elementary Education	3
Select one of the following:		3-4
ELEM 6125	Developing Mathematical Thinking in the Elementary Classroom (3 hrs)
EDMA 6235	Applications in Arithmetic and Algebra for K-5 Teachers (4 hrs) *
Select one of the following:		3
ELEM 6115	Literacy Education with Young Children
ELEM 6116	Writing and the Young Child
EDRG 6118	Methods and Materials for Teaching Literacy P-5 (required if not taken at the undergraduate level) **
Select one of the following:		3-4
ELEM 6135	Developing Scientific Thinking in Young Children (3 hrs)
EDUC 6231	Instructional Design in STEM Education (P-12) (4 hrs) ***
Area 2 Total		18-20
Area 3 Electives
Select 6-8 semester hours of advisor approved courses in elementary education or related field studies.		6-8
ELEM 6159	Imagination, Curiosity, & Creativity in Teaching and Learning (3 hrs)
ELEM 6165	Partnerships with Parents and Guardians of Young Children (3 hrs)
EDMA 6236	Applications in Geometry and Measurement for K-5 Teachers (3 hrs)
EDMA 6237	Applications in Data Analysis and Probability for K-5 Teachers (4 hrs) *
EDRG 6245	Assessment and Classroom Instruction (3 hrs) **
EDRG 6148	Psychology of Reading: Understanding Readers and the Reading Process (3 hrs) **
EDUC 6232	Technology & Application with Problem Based Learning in P-12 STEM Classrooms. (4 hrs) ***
EDUC 6233	Community-Based STEM Education (4 hrs) ***
Advisor approved Special Education course
Area 3 Total		6-8
Area 4 Other Requirements
EDUF 6000	M.Ed. Exit Examination	0
Area 4 Total		0
Total Credit Hours		30-34

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A teacher endorsement is an add-on statement that appears on teacher certification. An endorsement qualifies you to teach in a specialized area which adds value to a teaching career. Endorsement courses may be applied as electives in this program if you want to complete an endorsement with the MEd degree.

*

Denotes classes required for Math Endorsement (33 hours required)

**

Denotes classes required for Reading Endorsement (30 hours required)

***

Denotes classes required for STEM Endorsement (33 hours required)

Note: See advisor for information about all endorsements.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (regular admission) or 2.50 (provisional admission) on all undergraduate work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree
• A Level Four (4) or a bachelor's level teaching certificate or eligibility for such certificate in elementary education.
• The successful applicant must not have a criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher certifications

Additional Program Requirements

• Students must earn a 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies
• Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" in more than two (2) graduate courses
• Courses earned with grades of "D" may not be used toward a graduate degree or certificate, but will be calculated in the overall grade point average.
• A minimum of 24 hours of the hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (75%). Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence
• A maximum of six (6) semester hours of transfer credit or courses taken at CSU prior to full admission to a masters degree program may be applied toward the degree. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below cannot be transferred. The student’s advisor and the coordinator of the program in which the student is enrolled must approve any courses transferred
• All degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years of first enrollment

Program Learning Outcomes

• plan, implement, evaluate, and describe elements of developmentally appropriate practices, including the use of technology, instructional media, and online teaching, for diverse learners (scholarship, teaching);
• identify and explain how influential educational psychologists (i.e. Piaget, Erickson, Skinner, Maslow) and significant events in history have impacted the field of elementary education and classroom instruction (scholarship);
• identify and use current trends and research in contemporary curriculum theory grounded in the historical context to refine classroom practices (scholarship, teaching)
• create and use a variety of teaching and authentic assessment strategies to enhance learning opportunities for children in the following curriculum areas: language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, and movement education (teaching); and
• maintain high ethical standards and advocate for children and professionalism in the field of elementary education (professionalism).