Master of Education

The MEd Program

The Master of Education (MEd), a 30 credit hour program, has two specializations: Educational Leadership (EL) and Integrated Curriculum and Instruction (ICI).

Designed to fit your life.

A low residency program, MEd faculty and students convene for three weeks each of two summers on Covenant's campus, along with three courses delivered online. Summer course work is supplemented by pre- and post-campus work. This schedule enables students to remain employed as teachers or administrators while enrolled in the Master of Education.

Session Structure

Pre-campus session:

The pre-campus session begins with registration (February-April) and includes significant coursework within a variety of assignments: reading of texts and articles, writing, analysis, data gathering, and reflection. The intent of the pre-campus work is to give background to and prepare students for the on-campus session.

On-campus session:

The on-campus session consists of one intensive week per course on campus, i.e. late June through mid-July. Classes meet 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Post-campus session:

Students return home for the post-campus session and complete remaining course work such as projects, exams, research, or papers applying what has been learned to their own school settings. This session concludes on February 1.

EDU 785 (EL) and EDU 790 (ICI) are capstone courses and conclude March 1 of the final year in the program.

"Covenant is one of the most rigorous graduate programs, but it equips teachers and administrators for transformative teaching in a day and time when this is so needed. It’s a community with professors who invest their time, their energy, their love for Christ and Christ-centered education. It will push you, it will stretch you, it will prepare you for the work God has called you to do.”
-Tammy Fletcher, MEd ’22

Certifications

Certification--ACSI

In 2007, the Master of Education was approved by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) for certification. Graduates of the MEd are eligible for an ACSI certificate upon completion of the degree. The graduate applies directly for a license, and ACSI offers 3 levels of certificate: Temorary, Standard, and Professional. If an applicant is lacking Bible credits, a Temporary certificate can be issued allowing the candidate to work on missing items they need. ACSI certificates require 6 semester hours (or 18 CEU's) of Bible in order to reach the Standard level, and 9 semester hours (or 27 CEU's) for the Professional level.

Certification--GaPSC

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership has been approved by the GaPSC for certification. The program meets all required standards. Individuals enrolled in the Educational Leadership specialization who are Georgia residents do not qualify for certification in Educational Leadership in the state of Georgia. By rule, Georgia educational institutions are required to offer both Tier I and Tier II programs in leadership. Note, individuals from states other than Georgia, upon completion of the Educational Leadership specialization, may be recommended for certification in Educational Leadership (in their state, not Georgia). Individuals would need to satisfy any additional certification requirements outside the parameters of the MEd in order to become certified in that state.

For details, please contact the college certification official, certification@covenant.edu, or 706.419.1406.

Required Courses

EDU 610 - Foundations for Curriculum Development (Core Course)

A study of various foundational principles that guide in the selection of goals, content, and materials in the curriculum. Students examine these principles from a Christian perspective, and choose those appropriate for evaluating and changing classroom practice in the schools. 3 hours

EDU 620 - Introduction to Research (Core Course)

An introduction to research methods and designs and their application to educational settings. Emphasis is given to developing knowledge and skills in research procedures and in critiquing and applying research. Students design and implement research projects in their own school settings. 3 hours

EDU 630 - Learning Theory Applied to Teaching (Core Course)

A comprehensive survey of current research on learning and its implications for classroom practice. Learning theories are related to a Christian view of the learner, the role of the teacher, and the learning process in order to develop effective and appropriate instructional and assessment models, which are then applied in a school-based project. Prerequisite(s): EDU 610. 3 hours

EDU 712 - Shaping School Curriculum, K-12 (Core Course)

An application of a biblical world view to the processes and products of curriculum development and assessment for the K-12 school or school system. The course examines the steps in developing a course of study from a school’s mission statement through the assessment process. The issue of state and national standards are addressed. Criteria is developed for the evaluation of textbooks and other curriculum materials. Prerequisite(s): EDU 610. 3 hours

EDU 740 - Supervision of Instruction (Core Course)

The educational leader is a key member of an instructional team focused on effective teaching and learning in the classroom. Two aspects of instructional leadership are explored in this course 1) Supervision - those professional community practices that lead to teacher developmental growth; and 2) Evaluation - those administrative practices that lead to judgments regarding novice, veteran, and marginal teachers. 3 hours

EDU 750 - The Nature of Knowledge and Curriculum Integration (Core Course)

This course examines the epistemological foundations for an integrated school curriculum. It clarifies the structure of knowledge, the nature of truth, and the place of “knowledge” in the postmodern world. These considerations are brought to bear on the task of integrating an academic curriculum. Prerequisite(s): EDU 610, or approval of the EL/ICI coordinator. 3 hours