Department of Education

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Master of Education

Our Education Program

The Rockhurst University Department of Education prepares teachers to have a solid background in their chosen fields of study, who are knowledgeable and competent in the craft of teaching, and who bring well informed perspectives to bear on  educational policies and practices. We develop educational leaders—teachers who are actively engaged in educational matters as reflective practitioners. The Education program calls upon teacher candidates to analyze alternatives in curricula, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies, and to consider the implications of such alternatives for a multicultural society. Through rigorous coursework and varied field experiences, teacher candidates acquire a deep understanding of, and special sensitivity to, the challenges and rewards of teaching in the K-12 schools. Several education courses require teacher candidates to spend a significant amount of time in diverse school settings during the day. These field experiences are integral components in the preparation of teachers. Although Master of Education coursework may be completed during the evenings at Rockhurst University, teacher candidates will need to be flexible in their scheduling for field experiences.

In accordance with the Rockhurst University commitment to learning, leadership, and service in the Jesuit tradition, the Department of Education Conceptual Framework emphasizes three interrelated themes of Jesuit education: a tripartite focus on moral reflection, teaching for social justice, and the liberal treatment of subject matter. These themes of Jesuit education and their significance for our programs are aligned with the 11 Missouri Standards for Teacher Education Programs  (MoSTEP) and the three crosscutting themes of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) quality principles: graduates know their subject matter, graduates have pedagogical knowledge, and graduates have caring teaching skills. In addition, the Department of Education maintains a twelfth standard based on our Conceptual Framework, focusing on student learning and mastery of the ethical and moral dimension of teaching.

We are committed to the Rockhurst University tradition of preparing men and women for service to others. In accord with the teachings of St. Ignatius, this service enables one to become more fully human and, hence, more fully divine.

Governing Authority

The master level teacher education programs offered by the Rockhurst University Department of Education are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The Master’s level teacher education programs are accredited nationally by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). The M.Ed. program operates according to the general administrative policies governing graduate studies at Rockhurst University. Education program requirements listed in this catalog are subject to revision at any time based on changes in state certification requirements.

Regarding Certification Requirements

Requirements listed in this catalog are open to revision based on changes in state certification requirements. A current listing of requirements may be found in the Compedium of Missouri Certification  Requirements at: http://www.dese.mo.gov/schoollaw/rulesregs/EducCertManual/Index.htm.

Our M.Ed. program provides the necessary professional education coursework to meet initial teacher certification requirements in elementary, middle school, or secondary education in Missouri. The program focuses on curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Admission Requirements for the M.Ed.

To be considered for admission, applicants for the M.Ed. must show evidence of the following:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all college-level work attempted. Students are required to submit two official transcripts from each
   college or university attended.
2. Submission of two letters of professional recommendations that speak to the student’s potential to serve as a teacher.
3. Submission of a written essay describing the student’s prior educational experience and professional goals.
4. A personal interview with members of the Education faculty may be required.
   
   NOTE: Requirements may be subject to change without notice.

Teacher candidates may complete their degree on either a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are scheduled during the evening hours to facilitate attendance by working adults. It is estimated that most teacher candidates will complete the requirements in two years. Teacher candidates have a maximum of six years to complete the M.Ed. degree.

All certification area course work not taken at Rockhurst University must be reviewed by the Chair (or the Chair’s designee) for consistency with state certification requirements of the Rockhurst University Department of Education. Education courses from other institutions are generally not accepted. 

Readmission

Should a graduate student leave the University they become subject to the University readmission requirements. A student readmitted to the department will be subject to the degree requirements in place at the time of their readmission.

The Professional Semester

(Fall and Spring Semesters)

The professional semester is comprised of 14 weeks of student teaching assignments (10 credit hours), the three credit hour Integrated Student Teaching Seminar, and the one credit hour electronic portfolio. Students must apply for admission to the professional semester and be admitted to the professional semester prior to enrollment in the professional semester and subsequent student-teacher placement.

Professional Semester Application

Students may be considered for admission to the professional semester upon completion of the following:

1. Complete the “Professional Semester of Student Teaching” application.
2. Submit a professional resume.
3. Submit an autobiography.
4. Achieve a passing score on the Praxis II examination in the student’s desired certification area.

Professional Semester Enrollment

A student must be formally admitted to a certification program of the Department of Education and must complete all general education requirements, certification area course requirements, and all education course requirements prior to  enrolling in the professional semester. The professional semester application must be submitted and approved. Provisional enrollment may be authorized when the professional semester application has been approved, but coursework is in progress and there is reasonable assurance of satisfactory completion prior to placement. In the case of provisional enrollment, failure to satisfactorily complete any requirement will result in automatic withdrawal from the professional semester courses for which the student is registered.

Professional Semester Student Teaching Placement

Placement is the process by which those enrolled in the professional semester are matched with cooperating schools and cooperating teachers. To provide reasonable certainty to those cooperating entities, it is necessary for professional semester applicants to meet any prescribed deadlines regarding application and full enrollment in the professional semester. Those deadlines vary from semester to semester and are communicated to the prospective student teacher at the initial meeting with student teacher candidates.

Professional Semester Fingerprint and Background Check

School districts may require full background checks for student teachers and volunteers. With this in mind, all student teachers must complete and pass a Missouri Background Fingerprint Clearance before student teaching may begin. The background check includes submitting fingerprints to the Missouri Highway Patrol (MHP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Also, the State Board of Education requires a current Highway Patrol criminal history background checks, including fingerprints, prior to the awarding of initial teacher certification in Missouri. 

Other Professional Semester Requirements

Various school districts may have additional requirements that will need to be met prior to student teaching. These will be identified by the Director of Field Experiences as Professional Semester applications are reviewed.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
2. Successfully complete all course and degree requirements. Teacher candidates must achieve a grade of C or better in all certification area courses and all education courses. A grade of C- will not satisfy this requirement. Official transcripts for all courses must be submitted to the Department of Education.

Definition of Teacher Education Program Completer

Teacher candidates seeking the master of education degree will be construed to be program completers upon successful completion of all education courses and degree requirements.

Certification Requirements, Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

1. A baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or from a college or university approved by the state education agency in states other than Missouri;
2. A recommendation of designated official for teacher education in the college or university;
3. A grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale overall and in the major area of study;
4. The content knowledge or specialty area test designated by the State Board of Education with a score equal to or greater than the Missouri qualifying score;
5. Completion of professional requirements, as determined by the recommending college or university, which may exceed these minimum requirements; and
6. Individuals who completed their teacher education program outside of the United States shall provide documentation of completion of coursework in the following:
   1. English Composition, two (2) courses, each a minimun of two (2) semester hours;
   2. U.S. History, three (3) semester hours; and
   3. U.S. Government, three (3) semester hours.

Programs

• Educational Studies, M.Ed.
• Elementary Education, M.Ed.
• Middle School Education, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, M.Ed.
• Special Education, M.Ed.

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