School of Education

Graduate Faculty

Professors Longing; Associate Professors Gray, Level (Dean), and Wilkerson; Assistant Professors Hubbell; Instructors Fowler, Frazer, Givhan, Jackson, and Wilson.

Mission Statement

The University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Education is committed to the development of highly qualified candidates. The School of Education embraces the responsibility to prepare candidates to live and work in a rapidly changing, diverse world. Candidates are challenged to achieve the highest level of proficiencies defined in the UAM School of Education’s Conceptual Framework and as modeled by the UAM School of Education faculty. The Conceptual Framework is comprised of five strands: knowledge, pedagogy, diversity, professionalism, and technology. The candidates’ understanding of the Conceptual Framework is progressively developed as he/she advances through the various professional education programs. The UAM School of Education is dedicated to developing highly qualified professional educators through a partnership with the Southeast Educational Cooperative, area public schools, the university community, and supportive agencies in Arkansas’ high-need geographical areas.

Graduate Program Goals

The graduate programs in the School of Education are developed around standards that govern accomplished teaching, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Additionally, standards from discipline-specific learned societies are referenced in course materials and activities. Graduate students in the advanced programs in the School of Education are expected to:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of advanced principles and theories of teaching and learning;
• Acquire an attitude of inquiry and curiosity for learning that permeates instruction;
• Conduct action-based research that demonstrates that students are learning and achieving;
• Collaborate with other professional educators and leaders to address issues and concerns in education;
• Demonstrate the ability to become educational leaders who have the potential to make a difference in their individual educational settings.

Degrees Offered

The School of Education offers four advanced degrees, all of which are online:

Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree 
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership 
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree 
Master of Physical Education and Coaching (M.P.E.C.) degree  

Master of Education

The Master of Education program is a four-track graduate program designed for individuals who wish to advance their knowledge.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership

The Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership program prepares candidates to be a P-12 Building Level Administrator. The curriculum is based on the standards of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC).

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a 30-hour accelerated program designed to prepare candidates for teacher licensure who have undergraduate degrees in any area and who pass the Praxis II examination in the content area in which they are seeking a license.

Master of Physical Education and Coaching (M.P.E.C.)

The online Master of Physical Education and Coaching program includes 30 semester hours in five components: methodology, science, socio-culture, administration, and coaching. The primary focus of the program is to advance knowledge and instructional expertise in sport-related settings. The degree does not prepare students for a teaching license. An individual interested in pursuing the online Master of Physical Education and Coaching degree must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. This graduate program in Physical Education and Coaching is designed to prepare a student for leadership in fitness exercise, strength and conditioning, athletic coaching and/or athletic-related careers.

Important Steps in the Graduate Program:

1. Apply to the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
2. Apply to the School of Education Graduate Program.
3. Complete all appropriate admission requirements.
4. Obtain a major advisor.
5. With major advisor, prepare a Program of Study.
6. Apply for Degree Candidacy.
7. Successfully pass PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching (M.A.T only).
8. Graduation.

Admission Requirements and Classifications

The first step in the admission process for the School of Education graduate program is to be admitted with graduate status to the University of Arkansas at Monticello. After being admitted to the University of Arkansas at Monticello, students are then eligible to apply for admission to the School of Education graduate program. Applications for graduate programs are available in the office of the Coordinator for Graduate Programs for the School of Education.

Admission to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs

Students seeking admission to the School of Education’s Master of Education degree must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 overall or a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 hours of coursework from an accredited college or university;
   • Provisional admission: GPA below 3.0 overall or in the last 60 hours are allowed to take 6 hour and make a 3.0 overall to receive full admission.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic achievement, teaching proficiency, and/or community and service involvement. No more than one recommendation may come from School of Education faculty.

Admission to the Master of Education (M.E.d.) in Educational Leadership Program

Students seeking admission to the School of Education’s Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 overall or a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 hours of coursework from an accredited college or university;
2. Provide evidence of passing state-mandated licensure examinations in the appropriate teaching fields and hold an Arkansas Teacher Licensure;
3. Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic achievement, teaching proficiency, and/or community and service involvement. No more than one recommendation may come from School of Education faculty.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program

All candidates must apply for admission to the University of Arkansas at Monticello in the Office of Admissions and complete an application for the School of Education graduate program. Individuals applying to the M.A.T. program must provide the following to the School of Education Graduate Coordinator:

Academic Status

All candidates admitted to the School of Education graduate programs are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all coursework taken regardless of admission status. A graduate candidate may apply no more than two courses with a grade of C toward a degree or graduate endorsement. The candidate must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above at all times during the degree program of study and to be recommended for graduation. Upon the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinator and approval by the School of Education Dean, a candidate may repeat a course (only once) in which a grade of C, D, or F was received. Courses with a grade of D or F must be repeated. The new grade will substitute for the old grade in the computation of the grade point average by the Registrar; however, all grades will appear on the transcript. A candidate who fails to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above will be suspended from the School of Education Graduate Program. Appeals of suspension may be made to the UAM Graduate Council. Grades earned in transfer courses or courses taken as a non-degree seeking graduate course taker are not included in calculating the GPA for School of Education graduate status.

A grade of “I” may be assigned to a course if a student has circumstances that have prevented completion of all work and the work completed is of satisfactory quality. The course requirements must be completed by the deadline set by the instructor for the grade of “I” to be changed to a different letter grade. If the requirements are not met by the deadline, the grade of “I” will be changed to an “F.”

Graduate candidates are expected to make regular and steady progress in the degree and/or endorsement program of study. The Graduate Coordinator will conduct evaluations of candidates’ work each year to assist candidates in selecting appropriate courses and to ensure that a candidate is making steady progress toward his/her educational goals.

Arkansas State Licensure Examinations for MAT Candidates

To complete the MAT program and become eligible for graduation with an M.A.T degree, all teacher candidates must successfully pass both the Specialty Area test or meet the Alternative Assessment Score and the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) examination as required by Arkansas Department of Education for licensure.

Continuous Enrollment

All degree-seeking graduate candidates in the Master of Education or the Master of Education in Educational Leadership degrees who are completing a research course or internship are required to enroll for at least one credit hour in EDFD 503V Practicum/Research until all requirements are fulfilled. The credit will appear as an “R” (registered/no credit) on the candidate’s transcript for each semester enrolled until all requirements are completed. Upon completion of all requirements, each occurrence of “R” will be changed to “CR.”

A candidate who has completed all degree requirements with the exception of a research project or internship and has not enrolled in graduate courses for two semesters must receive written permission from the School of Education Graduate Coordinator for a limited period of inactivity or the candidate will be dismissed from the School of Education graduate program Normally, an approved period of inactivity should not exceed one calendar year. Faculty are under no obligation to assist a candidate with his/her graduate work when the candidate is not enrolled.

Major Advisor

After the student is successfully admitted to the appropriate graduate program in the School of Education, a major advisor is assigned by the Dean of the School of Education. This assignment of the advisor will be based on the candidate’s area of study and interests. The advisor will provide assistance in the completion of forms dealing with a Program of Study, Degree Candidacy, and Comprehensive Research Committee. The major advisor and the candidate work closely to ensure appropriate progress through the program.

Program of Study

All students must complete a program of study with the assistance of the major advisor. The program of study is intended to provide guidance and direction for degree completion. Programs of study must be signed by the student and approved by the major advisor, the Coordinator for Graduate Programs, and the Dean of the School of Education. Following approval, the Program of Study is forwarded to the Registrar’s Office.

Admission to Degree Candidacy

Master of Arts in Teaching

To be eligible for degree candidacy in the M.A.T program, students must successfully pass the PRAXIS Content Area Assessment or meet the Alternative Assessment Score. The Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching examination must be passed for degree completion.

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates in the M.Ed. program that complete a program of study containing content area course work must satisfactorily complete a written comprehensive examination in the appropriate concentration area. The comprehensive examination will consist of essay questions and will be graded on content and composition. Candidates who fail comprehensive examinations will be informed in writing of deficiencies and notified of the time when a second comprehensive examination will be administered. Failing students may be required to complete additional courses and must petition for more than one retake. Additionally, candidates have one year from the first failure to retake the sections of the comprehensive examination which were not passed.

Graduation

To graduate from Master’s programs in the School of Education, students must complete ALL requirements including passing the appropriate exit examinations.

Policies and Procedures

Appeals

Appeal rights are open to all students who are denied admission or continuation in graduate programs. Appeals must be initiated with the advisor and may be pursued with the Dean of the School of Education and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Graduate Dean.

Course Loads

Normally, the maximum course load must not exceed 12 graduate hours during the fall and spring semesters. Normally, the maximum load for each summer term is six hours.

Acceptance of Transfer Credit

Acceptance of transfer credit for the M.Ed. degree and the M.A.T is based on the nature, quality and recency of the credit. Special consideration will be given to transfer students from other public institutions of the State, especially those in the University of Arkansas system.

Time Frames

Students enrolled in the Master of Education program can expect to complete the program in a one-two year time period. Most students in the MAT program can expect to complete the program within a 12-month time frame. All course work included in the program of study must be recent.

Courses older than six years must be appealed to the Graduate Council. Normally, courses older than six years will not apply to a graduate program of study.

Independent Study

Independent study and research courses will require extensive independent study and research, formal written reports and regular conferences with the instructor. A detailed description of the proposal and its requirements will be submitted for approval to the instructor, the Coordinator for Graduate Programs, the Dean, and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Candidates may complete only one independent study/research project per semester. Independent study/research proposals should not duplicate existing courses in the academic catalog.

Expulsion

Any education graduate student whose course work is unsatisfactory or who violates student conduct or employment rules may be withdrawn from the School of Education Graduate Program at any time upon the recommendation and agreement of the advisor, the Coordinator for Graduate Programs, and the Dean of the School of Education.

University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) School of Education (SOE) Teacher Walkout Statement

For Teacher Education Candidates:

If a teacher walkout occurs, here’s what you need to do if it happens during your field or internship experiences:

If your School Based Teacher Educator (SBTE) walks out of the classroom to join a march or picket line, remember that you cannot stay in the classroom without your SBTE. You will need to leave the building. Be sure to inform the main office staff that you are leaving the building and that you are doing so because you have been advised to do so by the UAM School of Education. You will need to notify the SOE Partnership Coordinator immediately. We will certainly take these special circumstances into account in terms of your hours needed, grading issues, etc.

If you choose to join your SBTE and fellow educators in the walkout, you will be doing this as a personal decision. UAM, a state institution, must be neutral on the subject. If you do choose to stand or walk with your SBTE and other educators, you will not be doing so as a representative of UAM. Do not display or wear your student ID or UAM clothing. If you are interviewed, please do not mention UAM.

You will need to be in contact with the SOE Partnership Coordinator to find out what you will need to do in the following days after the walkout.

For Master of Arts Candidates:

If you choose to join your fellow educators in the walkout, you will be doing this as a personal decision. UAM, a state institution, must be neutral on the subject. If you do choose to stand or walk with your fellow educators, you will not be doing so as a representative of UAM. Do not display or wear your student ID or UAM clothing. If you are interviewed, please do not mention UAM. You will need to notify the SOE Graduate Coordinator immediately if you choose to strike. We will certainly take these special circumstances into account in terms of your hours needed, grading issues, etc.

As for SOE Faculty, Staff, and Administrators:

Likewise, whether you choose to stand with the striking teachers is also a personal decision. If you choose to stand with the teachers in person, please do not display your UAM ID, wear UAM clothing, or use your UAM email account or program/SOE social media to protest or provide support. If you use your personal social media to communicate your support or if you are interviewed by the media, please make clear that you are expressing your personal opinions. You also must do so on your own personal time before and after work hours, unless you take personal time/vacation hours so that you are not on the clock if you choose to protest.

You can certainly discuss these issues in class or on discussion boards in Bb, but you need to maintain an educational stance when doing so. Minimize your personal beliefs when teaching and, if you do share your beliefs and thoughts, you need to be sure that you declare them as your own personal beliefs and that they do not represent UAM when you are teaching, advising, or if you are being interviewed or you are using your own personal social media.