Academic Catalog

Applied Learning and Instruction, Master of Education

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

Core
EDFO U744Philosophy and Education3
EDPS U732Enhancing Learning Environments for Diverse Cultures3
EDPY U705Children and Adolescents as Learners3
EDRM U700Introduction to Research in Education3
EDTE U726Standards-Based Assessment for PK-123
EDTE U728Contemporary Issues and Trends in Teaching and Learning3
EDTE U731Using Innovative Technology to Support Instruction3
Concentration Courses
Select one of the following:15
Total Hours36

Early Childhood Concentration

EDEC U608Parent Involvement in Early Childhood Education3
EDEC U740The Young Child: Applying Theory and Research3
EDEC U742Advanced Study of Early Childhood Curricula and Program Models3
EDEC U750Play Theory & Early Learning3
EDLC U721Instructional Strategies for Reading in Grades PK-53
Total Hours15

Elementary Concentration

EDEL U615Science in the Elementary School3
EDEL U642Teaching Mathematics to Students in Grades PK-63
EDEL U715The Elementary School Curriculum3
EDEL U760Implementing Social Studies in the Elementary/Middle School3
EDLC U721Instructional Strategies for Reading in Grades PK-53
Total Hours15

Literacy Concentration

EDLC U720Foundations of Literacy3
EDLC U721Instructional Strategies for Reading in Grades PK-53
EDLC U724Diagnostic Assessment in Grades PK-53
EDLC U727Reading and Writing in Content Areas: PK-53
or EDLC U728 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
ENSL U728Literacy Instruction for K-12 Second Language Learners3
Total Hours15

TESOL Concentration

ENSL U708Introduction to Linguistics3
ENSL U718Techniques for Teaching English to K-12 Second Language Learners3
ENSL U728Literacy Instruction for K-12 Second Language Learners3
ENSL U758Assessment of Second Language Learners3
ENSL U760Practicum in Teaching English to K-12 Second Language Learners3
Total Hours15

Research in Practice Concentration

EDTE U760Research and Intervention Design Seminar3
EDTE U761Implementation and Evaluation Seminar3
Concentration Course 1 13
Concentration Course 23
Concentration Course 33
Total Hours15
1

Concentration courses will be determined in consultation with the advisor to ensure the graduate courses selected form a coherent emphasis for the program of study.