Ed. M. Degree Requirements

The Master of Education program is designed to meet the academic and professional interests of a person working in the educational field (e.g., a teacher, counselor, administrator, or curriculum specialist).

Program Plan

Upon admission to a Master of Education program, each student is assigned an academic adviser in an area of specialization. The student and adviser plan a program of study to meet the student’s individual goals and general degree requirements. Departments may require that a copy of the program plan be kept on file.

Time Limits

Graduate students and advisers should be guided by the Graduate College policy on master’s degree time limits. If a time extension is desired, it may be requested by completing a Graduate Student Petition. These petitions are considered and acted upon by the student’s adviser, the department, and the Graduate College. Each individual who has authority to act on the petition may either approve or deny the petition.

Course Requirements for Ed. M. Candidates

All students admitted to a Master of Education degree program must fulfill Graduate College requirements for the master's degree, departmental requirements, and the following College of Education minimum requirements on the Urbana campus or through Urbana off-campus or online courses:

2 hours	One course from the psychological foundations of learning area: EPSY 400, 401, or 402. Students in master’s certification programs may also take EPSY 485 to meet this requirement.
2 hours	One course from the psychological foundations of personality and development area: EPSY 405 or 406. Students in master’s certification programs may also take EPSY 430 to meet this requirement. OR Students planning to work with adults may take EPSY 407 for 4 hours to meet both of the EPSY foundations requirements. OR Four hours of EPSY 400, 401, 402, 404, 405, 406, or 408 meets both foundational requirements for EPSY.
2 hours	One course from the social foundations requirements: EPS 400, 402, 403, 404, 420, 421, 423, 424, and 426.
2 hours	A second course from the philosophical foundations area: EPS 401, 410, 411, 412, 413, and 414.

Unless specified above, approval must be given to allow a four hour course to fulfill two requirements. Contact the Academic and Instructional Services Office for details. Off-campus and online programs may have different foundations requirements. See the appropriate Program of Study for more information. The above foundations requirements do not apply to Ed.M. candidates also pursuing the Illinois Special Certificate (K-12) with a Reading Specialist Endorsement.

12 hours	Twelve hours of 500-level courses in education (599 thesis research credit not included).
12 hours	Twelve hours of additional 400- or 500-level courses selected by the student in consultation with an academic adviser (599 thesis research credit not included; 595 independent study can be applied up to a maximum amount of 8 hours).
32 hours	TOTAL

In addition to the specific requirements stated above, individual departments in the College of Education may require additional courses to complete the student’s degree program. 

A student who passes a proficiency examination in any of the required courses listed above is excused from that course requirement.  However, credit toward the degree is not given for courses passed by such an examination.

Evaluation of Academic Progress

Each department in the College of Education has a procedure for evaluating a student’s progress toward the degree. The evaluation of academic progress, results in a decision regarding student progress. It is recommended that the student provides the adviser with a written statement detailing academic progress. The adviser assesses the progress report and gives a written evaluation. A copy of the evaluation is made available to the student and placed in the student’s permanent file.

When a decision is made that a student is not making satisfactory progress, the student, the adviser, and the Student Academic Affairs Office will be informed in writing by the department. Yearly evaluations are encouraged.

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