School of Education

Education Program Overview

The Rockhurst University School of Education prepares educators 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.  In accordance with the Rockhurst University commitment to learning, leadership and service in the Jesuit tradition, the School of Education Conceptual Framework emphasizes three themes of Jesuit education: reflective value commitments, teach for social justice, and demonstrating caring, thoughtful, and productive dispositions. The School of Education is committed to the Rockhurst University tradition of preparing our students for and with service to others.

EdD in Education and Leadership Program Overview

The Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Education and Leadership prepares graduates to advance in careers. There are four concentration areas within the EdD program: K-12 Leadership, Healthcare Education, Higher Education, or Organizational Leadership. The program includes 45 credit hours completed as a cohort over a two-year period, and students are required to have a minimum of 78 total graduate hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed at least 33 credit hours of post-undergraduate coursework prior to admission will take additional elective courses at Rockhurst University to meet the total hours. Classes are offered online and asynchronously to accommodate work or teaching schedules. The capstone research experience involves the design and completion of an individual research project that includes a manuscript and poster presentation.

Program Goals

To develop leaders who can:

• Articulate the historical and modern educational frameworks and the key issues shaping today’s leadership landscape,
• Apply learning research-based theories to problems of practice, program assessment, and outcome measures,
• Conduct quantitative and/or qualitative research to solve problems in practice.

Student Learning Outcomes

• The student develops program evaluation plans with an understanding of outcome measures appropriate to context and program goals.
• The student synthesizes the educational and leadership frameworks and key issues shaping today’s landscape.
• The student completes a literature review of the selected area of study for the problem in practice.
• The student demonstrates ethical research practices.
• The student demonstrates applied research skills.

Apply online at the Online Application Portal. 
 

Master of Education Program Overview

The Master of Education degree programs call upon educators 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, varied field experiences, and service-learning projects, students acquire a deep understanding of, and special sensitivity to, the challenges and rewards of teaching in educational settings.  Several education courses require graduate students to spend a significant amount of time in diverse school settings during the day.  While Master of Education coursework may be completed during the evenings and online at Rockhurst University, graduate students will need to be flexible in their scheduling to allow for field experiences.

Our program offers two Master of Education degree options:

• A Master of Education with initial Teacher Certification in secondary, K-12 Spanish, or K-12 French,
• A Master of Education in Educational Studies with the option to choose from four concentration areas, including:
  • Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment
  • STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)
  • Special Education
  • Teacher Leadership

Program Goals

• To develop educators who have discipline-specific content knowledge.
• To develop educators who plan and utilize innovative, evidence-based teaching strategies. 
• To develop educators who can assess and adjust teaching methods according to the needs of individual learners.
• To develop educators who gain awareness and feel empowered to work within diverse settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

• The student uses assessment strategies to plan ongoing development using evidence-based decision making to face the challenges of our global society.
• The student is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others. The student actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally to improve their professional setting.
• The student knows how others learn, develop, and differ in their approaches to learning. The student provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all.

Education Accreditation

The master level teaching certification programs offered by the Rockhurst School of Education are aligned with the Conceptual Framework, the 9 Missouri Standards for Preparation of Educators (MoSPE), the Missouri Teacher Standards, and the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards. The Masters teacher certification programs are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The MEd program operates according to the general administrative policies governing graduate studies at Rockhurst University.  The Rockhurst University graduate teacher education program provides the necessary professional education coursework to meet initial teacher certification requirements in secondary education in biology, chemistry, French (K-12), English, mathematics, physics, Spanish (K-12), or social science in Missouri.

Length of Programs

MEd students may complete their degree on either a full-time or part-time basis.  Courses are scheduled during the evening and online to facilitate attendance by working adults. Graduate students have a maximum of six years to complete the MEd degree. Students may transfer up to nine hours of graduate credit for courses completed by another institution, provided that the coursework meets the criteria outlined in the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Catalog.  All coursework not taken at Rockhurst University must be reviewed and approved by the Chair and the Academic Advisor for consistency with degree and state certification requirements.  Students must complete a Pre-Approval of Transfer Credit Form, with course descriptions, and other supporting materials requested by the program to the Academic Advisor.

Ed.D. students complete their degree as a cohort over a two-year period, and students are required to have a minimum of 78 total graduate hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Students may transfer into the program a total of 33 post-undergraduate credits. Students who have not completed at least 33 credit-hours of post-undergraduate coursework prior to admission will take additional elective courses at Rockhurst University to meet the total hours. Classes are offered online to accommodate work or teaching schedules. The capstone research experience involves the design and completion of an individual project within the concentration area.

Admission Requirements for the MEd

To be considered for admission, applicants for the MEd must show evidence of the following:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all college-level work attempted. Applicants are required to submit one official transcript showing all college-level coursework.
2. Submission of an online application with a written essay describing the applicant’s prior educational experience and professional goals.
3. Submission of two letters of professional recommendations that speak to the applicant’s potential to successfully complete graduate coursework, a description of the applicant’s academic background, and reasoning for pursuing the MEd.
4. A personal interview with members of the Education faculty may be required.
   
   NOTE: The above requirements may be subject to change without notice.

Admission Requirements for the EdD

To be considered for admission, applicants for the EdD must show evidence of the following:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
• Completion of graduate credits
  • Will need 33 graduate credits or will need to plan to complete graduate credits needed to reach 33 in addition to the required 45 credits for the EdD
• Personal statement
• Research statement
• Resume
• Two (2) letters of professional recommendation
• Transcripts from all universities and colleges attended
  • WES, or other international credentialing services, required for international transcripts

Readmission

Should a graduate student leave the University, the student is subject to the University readmission requirements. A student readmitted will be subject to the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission. The student must complete the Rockhurst University application for graduate readmission.

Master of Education with Initial Teacher Certification Professional Semester Requirements

(Fall and Spring Semesters)

The professional semester is comprised of a minimum of 15 weeks of students teaching (9 credit hours) and the three credit hour Student Teaching Seminar course. During this course, students must complete an e-portfolio capstone project. Students must attend a mandatory student teaching meeting to receive application materials.  Students who plan to student teach in the fall semester must submit their application by the previous March 1st.  Students who plan to student teach in the spring semester must submit their application by the previous September 1st.  All coursework must be completed before the professional semester begins. Students must also pass the Praxis exam before the professional semester begins; a placement will not be assigned until after a passing score is documented. Students may not fall below the required semester grade point average prior to student teaching.  Students may not be on probation when applying for the professional semester.

Professional Semester Placement

Placement is the process by which those applying to 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.  A student teaching placement for the professional semester will be sought upon completion of the following:

1.  Professional Semester of Student Teaching Application

2.  Professional resume

3.  Cover letter

4.  Passing score on the Praxis exam

5.  Graduate degree application (online)

6.  A Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education substitute license, which requires a fingerprint background check clearance from the Missouri Highway Patrol (MHP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

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.

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

1. A baccalaureate degree from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by DESE or from a college or university having a teacher education program 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 cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale overall; a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the certification content courses, and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all education courses;
4. Completion of the Praxis exam 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. Completion of DESE initial teacher certification application, which requires a fingerprint background check clearance from the Missouri Highway Patrol (MHP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
7. Obtain a passing score as determined by DESE on the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) Teacher Candidate Assessment Tool.

Regarding Certification Requirements

Definition of Teacher Education Program Completer

Teacher candidates seeking the master of education degree with certification in secondary or K-12 foreign language will be construed to be program completers upon successful completion of all education courses and degree requirements.

Graduation Requirements

The Master of Education degree requires the successful completion of all coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater to graduate.

Note: 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 Office of the Registrar.

The EdD degree requires the successful completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours, to be completed after admission to the program. Up to 33 post-undergraduate coursework may be transferred from any nationally accredited institution.

Programs

• Medical Spanish Graduate Certificate
• STEAM Graduate Certificate

• Education and Leadership, Ed.D.

• Educational Studies, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, M.Ed.