Programs of study leading to the degree of Master of Education in Applied Learning and Instruction are offered with concentrations in early childhood education, elementary education, literacy, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), and research in practice. Aimed at equipping teachers to meet the needs of students in their diverse classrooms, the M.Ed. in Applied Learning and Teaching emphasizes the application of theory and evolving practices in clinical settings, positively impacting schools and communities. The four concentrations within the M.Ed. focus enable teachers to focus their studies on an area of interest that may also lead to additional professional certifications. Teachers who select the early childhood or elementary concentration will take courses that may be applied toward the South Carolina add-on certification in early childhood and elementary education respectively. The concentration in literacy offers courses that may be applied toward the South Carolina literacy teacher add-on certification and the TESOL concentration offers courses that may be applied toward the South Carolina ESOL add-on certification. The research in practice concentration offers a flexible path for teachers to earn a variety of relevant endorsements toward their South Carolina teaching certificate (e.g. Gifted and Talented, Problem-Based Learning, etc.) and explore and apply the most current research in their field in their own classrooms.
Further information about graduate programs is available from the USC Upstate Office of Graduate Programs in Education at 864-503-5573 and at www.uscupstate.edu/graduate.
USC Upstate Master of Education degrees are not designed for the purpose of initial teacher certification. Initial teacher certification is required for admission to the M.Ed. degree program.
The Master of Education degree requires successful completion of an approved program of study providing 36 hours of graduate credit, of which at least 50 percent must be earned in courses numbered 700 or above (the remainder may be in courses numbered 500-699). The program of study should be established immediately after full admission to the program; the program of study is completed with a student's assigned advisor. Professional development courses may be considered as part of a degree program if the coursework is consistent with the program. No more than 6 hours of professional development courses may be used in a degree program. For the degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) is required on the total graduate program. An accumulation of grades below B on 12 hours of graduate work attempted at the university will disqualify a student for a graduate degree. Questions should be directed to the Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health.
Required Courses
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| EDFO U744 | Philosophy and Education | 3 |
| EDPS U732 | Enhancing Learning Environments for Diverse Cultures | 3 |
| EDPY U705 | Children and Adolescents as Learners | 3 |
| EDRM U700 | Introduction to Research in Education | 3 |
| EDTE U726 | Standards-Based Assessment for PK-12 | 3 |
| EDTE U728 | Contemporary Issues and Trends in Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDTE U731 | Using Innovative Technology to Support Instruction | 3 |
| 15 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Total Hours | 36 |
Early Childhood Concentration
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| EDEC U608 | Parent Involvement in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDEC U740 | The Young Child: Applying Theory and Research | 3 |
| EDEC U742 | Advanced Study of Early Childhood Curricula and Program Models | 3 |
| EDEC U750 | Play Theory & Early Learning | 3 |
| EDLC U721 | Instructional Strategies for Reading in Grades PK-5 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Elementary Concentration
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| EDEL U615 | Science in the Elementary School | 3 |
| EDEL U642 | Teaching Mathematics to Students in Grades PK-6 | 3 |
| EDEL U715 | The Elementary School Curriculum | 3 |
| EDEL U760 | Implementing Social Studies in the Elementary/Middle School | 3 |
| EDLC U721 | Instructional Strategies for Reading in Grades PK-5 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Literacy Concentration
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| EDLC U720 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDLC U721 | Instructional Strategies for Reading in Grades PK-5 | 3 |
| EDLC U724 | Diagnostic Assessment in Grades PK-5 | 3 |
| EDLC U727 | Reading and Writing in Content Areas: PK-5 | 3 |
| or EDLC U728 | Reading and Writing in the Content Areas |
| ENSL U728 | Literacy Instruction for K-12 Second Language Learners | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
TESOL Concentration
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENSL U708 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| ENSL U718 | Techniques for Teaching English to K-12 Second Language Learners | 3 |
| ENSL U728 | Literacy Instruction for K-12 Second Language Learners | 3 |
| ENSL U758 | Assessment of Second Language Learners | 3 |
| ENSL U760 | Practicum in Teaching English to K-12 Second Language Learners | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Research in Practice Concentration
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| EDTE U760 | Research and Intervention Design Seminar | 3 |
| EDTE U761 | Implementation and Evaluation Seminar | 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Admission Standards for Degree Seeking Students
Individuals seeking admission to USC Upstate as a degree candidate will be considered for full admission when the USC Upstate Admissions Office receives all admissions materials. A baccalaureate or higher degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency is required. All graduate admission decisions are made by the individual academic units where the program resides.
Applicants whose educational preparation is equivalent to that represented by a baccalaureate degree and who have sufficient preparation to undertake advanced study may be admitted after review of their application materials, including appropriate test scores, recommendations, and transcripts.
Academic units have the option of recommending the applicant for admission with conditions. This indicates that an admissions committee has met and determined that it is not yet ready to recommend full admission for the applicant. This conditional recommendation is appropriate for applicants who:
- need to take undergraduate courses or other prerequisites;
- need to prove themselves capable of graduate course work in the program by achieving a minimum GPA of 3.25 on the initial 12 hours of USC Upstate graduate program course work;
- need to satisfy any other valid conditions that the committee sets before full admission can be recommended
Application Requirements for Master of Education Programs
- Application, application fee, residency form with all requested information and supporting documents.
- Transcripts: Individuals seeking admission must provide official transcripts showing all post-secondary course work attempted and the award of the baccalaureate or higher degree by an accredited college or university. Official transcripts verifying all previous college-level course work are required for the University's records. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to USC Upstate or delivered in a sealed envelope bearing a registrar's stamp.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation using forms provided.
- Official Test Scores: The GRE/MAT requirement for entry into the graduate program is waived for students who enter the program with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.0 as an undergraduate. If students enter the program having earned an overall Grade Point Average less than a 3.0, students must submit scores for either the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is acceptable. Note: GRE and MAT scores are valid for five years.
- Valid Teacher Certificate
- Personal Statement: Applicants are required to submit a 1-2 page personal statement that describes their academic and/or other interests.
- Proof of immunization for measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella) if born after Dec. 31, 1956.
Application Requirements for Master of Arts in Teaching
- Application, application fee, residency form with all requested information and supporting documents.
- Transcripts: Individuals seeking admission must provide official transcripts showing all post-secondary course work attempted and the award of the baccalaureate or higher degree by an accredited college or university. Official transcripts verifying all previous college-level course work are required for the University's records. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to USC Upstate or delivered in a sealed envelope bearing a registrar's stamp.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation using forms provided in the application packet.
- Documentation of a passing score on all three sections of the state-adopted entrance examination Praxis Core. This requirement may be waived for candidates who meet SC minimum scores. Contact the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health for more details.
- Official Test Scores: Submission of either the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is acceptable. Note: GRE and MAT scores are valid for five years. Test scores may be waived in exceptional circumstances.
- Personal Statement: Applicants are required to submit a 1-2 page personal statement that describes their academic and/or other interests.
- Proof of immunization for measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella) if born after Dec. 31, 1956.
Applicants Not Seeking a Degree
Students wishing to enroll in either program courses or professional development courses but who do not wish to pursue a graduate degree at USC Upstate must submit the following admission materials:
- Application for Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students (available at www.uscupstate.edu)
- Residency form with all requested information and supporting documents
- $10 application fee
- Proof of immunization for measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella) if born after Dec. 31, 1956.
Students admitted as non-degree students may take up to 18 hours of graduate work. In order to enroll in more than 18 hours as a non-degree student, the applicant must complete another non-degree application form, a state residency status form, and submit a copy of a teaching credential.
