SUU Provides Pathways into Master of Education Program
Published: February 15, 2023 | Read Time: 3 minutes
The Southern Utah University Teacher Education Department’s K-12 Programs provides cost-effective pathways into SUU’s online Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree programs. By applying credits from Utah’s Alternate Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL or APPLE-SpEd), a completed endorsement, or teaching cohorts, learners have one-third of their M.Ed degree already completed and can complete the master’s degree in as little as one year.
“After all, there’s not just one pathway into an M.Ed,” said SUU’s Director of K-12 Programs, Dr. Cynthia Kimball Davis. “Some, once landing a teaching position, enter into an M.Ed. from straight from their undergraduate studies, others teach for a few years and then complete an M.Ed., while others can come in through alternative pathways such as APPEL or APPLE-SpEd licensure or by completing an endorsement. The more pathways, the more opportunities for all types of learners to earn an M.Ed.”
The first pathway is for anyone who’s earned licensure through Utah’s Alternate Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL or APPLE-SpEd) in which 12 credits from their coursework can be applied toward SUU's M.Ed. electives. Or, similarly, anyone with a completed endorsement can apply 12 university credits from that coursework towards SUU's M.Ed. elective credit.
SUU APPEL and APPLE-SpEd courses are cost-effective at just $100 per credit and are offered online and on-campus at SUU. Likewise, SUU 5000-level endorsements are even more affordable when offered through a school district or Utah's Regional Education Service Centers at just $23 per credit.
“Another pathway into SUU’s M.Ed is by way of teacher cohorts from one or more districts,” said Dr. Joel Judd, SUU’s Teacher Education Department’s Graduate Director. “These cohorts can receive face to face coursework in Summer. Our faculty will travel to work with the teachers, and we can offer the program with as few as 12 teachers in a cohort.”
According to SUU SpEd professor, Dr. Jennifer McKenzie, SUU currently allows qualified Granite and Jordan School District teachers to teach four 5000-level APPLE-SpEd courses within their district. By doing so, districts are able to hold face-to-face courses within district boundaries, which builds community between learners from that district as they progress through the coursework. Other districts would have this opportunity, as well.
“The power of the professional learning a learner will acquire through SUU’s M.Ed will be significant in improving their academic, social, and emotional outcomes,” said Dr. Tony Pellegrini, chair of SUU’s Teacher Education Department.
Through Southern Utah University, K-12 Programs partner with school districts, charter schools, and other companies to offer University graduate credit at the 5000-level for educators. These partners create, teach and grade their own tailored courses, while K-12 Programs records the credit and provides a university transcript. In order to better serve these partners, SUU’s services come at the very low cost of $23 per credit for general professional development and endorsements.
Southern Utah University's Master of Education is an online program open to all individuals who are currently in a teaching capacity. Prospective students can enroll in the program in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, and required coursework can be completed in as few as three semesters. Learn more about SUU's K-12 Programs or the Master of Education program.
Tags: Graduate Programs Master of Education College of Education and Human Development SUU Online