Attendance

Because of the interactive nature of graduate classes at EMU, we believe that candidates who miss class for the equivalent of six 50-minute periods or four 75 minute periods in a three semester hour course (200 minutes for a 2-semester hour course, 100 minutes for a 1-semester hour course) have not fulfilled necessary requirements to receive an “A” in the graduate class. Grades may be lowered for absences of less time at the instructor’s discretion.

Distance Education (Online)

No more than 12 semester hours of the Master of Arts in Education program may be completed by distance education. The program observes the guidelines of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for distance education. Only selected courses in the introductory or specialty areas are offered online. Standards of academic quality for these courses are equivalent to those for on-campus courses. Enrollment is limited to 20 candidates or less to ensure a high level of instructor-candidate interaction. Particular attention is given to making available either locally or online, the study resources normally expected for graduate courses. Tuition is comparable to that of residential courses. There is regular evaluation of individual courses and of the total program.

Explanation of the course numbering system and course prefixes

All course numbers for the Master of Arts in Education program are at the 500 and 600 levels to designate graduate level courses. Undergraduate courses at EMU are listed at 100-400 levels.

EDCC designates a core course.
EDCI designates a curriculum and instruction course.
EDDA designates a course in the at-risk specialty area.
EDDN designates a course in the diverse needs specialty area.
EDDS designates a special education course.
EDDT designates a teaching English as a second language related course.
EDLA designates a literacy related course.
EDPC designates a course in reflective practice.
EDSP designates a special topics course.
EDTR designates a course that is cross cultural.
EDI designates an institute class offered as an elective or special offering.
EDIU designates a Lancaster Intermediate 13 course.

Schedule for Completing the Program

Here Lori Hostetler Leaman (standing), assistant professor in teacher education, helps an MA in Education student.

All course work, research and practica for the master’s degree shall be completed within six calendar years of the first registration as an admitted graduate candidate. Classes are offered in weekend and evening formats during fall and spring, while the summer sessions provide intensive week-long courses. A full-time candidate can complete the program in 2 years. Most teacher practitioners graduate in 2-4 years by taking 10-12 semester hours per year.

Candidates must be registered for EDPC 611 Action Research Project before participating in graduation ceremonies. In addition, candidates who choose to walk and subsequently prolong the completion of their final Action Research Project over one year from the initial registration date must renew their registration at a cost of $150 per semester hour per year.

Transfer Credit

Candidates may request to transfer up to nine hours of course work from other regionally accredited colleges or universities. A transfer of credit request form must be completed. Requests for transfer credit approval may be directed to the program director and will be considered on a course by course basis as applicable to the particular specialty area. Continuing Education Units (CEU) courses are not accepted as transfer graduate credit. A candidate must submit an official transcript from the university which awarded the graduate credit.

With program director approval, candidates may transfer up to twelve hours of course work previously taken under the supervision of EMU graduate faculty, i.e. EMU Teacher Education Program institutes or site-based courses. Only six credit hours can be transferred into the specialty area.

All transfer credit must meet the following criteria: 1) course work was completed within five years of admission to the EMU program; 2) credit must reflect applicability to EMU’s M.A. in Education specialty area goals and program purposes; and 3) all transfer work must have a grade of A or B.

Transfer of credits completed at EMU to another institution is at the discretion of that institution. Candidates should check with the institution to which they wish to transfer regarding the transferability of EMU credits.

Tuition Refund Percentages

Candidates who withdraw within the prescribed guidelines for withdrawal will receive a credit of institutional charges equal to the percentage of the time remaining in the class (rounded to the nearest 10 percent) and multiplied times the refundable university charges for tuition and room and board. Candidates who withdraw prior to the first day of classes will receive a full refund of all payments. No refunds are made for "transcripted" courses once the course has begun.

Aid recipients who change their course registration after the beginning of each semester must notify the financial assistance office. Enrollment status is very important to aid eligibility. Students who withdraw must also notify the financial assistance office. Financial aid refunds due to withdrawal are calculated using the percentage of term not completed as mandated by federal aid regulations. More information about aid adjustments and refunds related to changes in enrollment status may be obtained from the Financial Assistance Office.