Master of Education

The University of Tampa’s comprehensive graduate program in education prepares individuals for a variety of roles in schools and other educational and entrepreneurial settings. Candidates in this multipurpose program are immersed in a rigorous mix of theory and practice that guides participants toward careers in teaching and future educational leadership.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) consists of two unique tracks. Track I is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher licensure in the state of Florida, and Track II is designed for professional teachers desiring to boost their existing professional knowledge and skills by attaining an advanced degree.

Track I: Initial Licensure (36 credit hours)

Track I is designed to assist career changers and individuals who do not have an undergraduate degree in education. Candidates in this track come from a wide variety of fields including the sciences, mathematics, psychology, sociology, the arts, foreign languages, business and other professional areas. Candidates from these fields bring with them valued experience in backgrounds other than education. Candidates may focus on middle or secondary schooling. This track places emphasis on the psychology of the learner, classroom management and positive learning environments, assessment of student performance, instructional design, ethics and dispositions of a teacher, and supervised field experiences.

Track II: Curriculum and Instruction (36 credit hours)

Track II is designed for professionals in K–12 settings who are seeking advanced study to enhance their teaching and leadership skills in the field of education. Candidates selecting Track II must have an undergraduate degree in education or hold a professional teaching certificate. This track places emphasis on curriculum theory, pedagogy and innovation in education, advocacy, social dimensions of learning, and research. Candidates in Track II complete a thesis, special project or oral examination as a culminating experience.

Candidates in both Track I and Track II complete foundation courses and then progress with their colleagues in the courses provided for each track. Both Track I and Track II candidates may select electives as offered each semester.

The comprehensive M.Ed. is designed to provide 33–39 credit hours of graduate coursework based on the individual program of study as determined by the graduate program director, who is also the students’ academic adviser.

Advising

Each student will be assigned to the graduate program director for advising purposes pertaining to class selection and professional guidance. For matters related to registration, withdrawal and other academic issues, students should contact the education program adviser in the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies.

M.Ed. Admission

The University of Tampa graduate program in education welcomes applications from individuals who have strong academic records and who have experience and interest in education or related fields.


Admission Requirements and Documents

Students wishing to be considered for admission to the M.Ed. program are required to have a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and a competitive GPA. Undergraduates who are in the process of completing degrees may apply for admissions with full acceptance contingent upon completion of a baccalaureate degree. Applicants to the M.Ed. program must provide the following:

• Completed application.
• $40 application fee.
• Official transcripts for all previous college work (received directly from each institution).
• Writing sample.
• For Initial Licensure applicants (Track I) only: Passing score on the Subject Area Exam (SAE) of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE). If a candidate is not in the state of Florida and cannot take the SAE for admission purposes, other test scores such as PRAXIS, GRE and GMAT may be submitted. All candidates in Track I must pass all portions of the FTCE as an exit requirement.
• For Curriculum and Instruction applicants (Track II) only: Must have a degree in education and hold a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate or a Statement of Eligibility for a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate (temporary certificates are not accepted).

Additional Entrance Examination Requirements


• Two professional reference forms, available at www.ut.edu/uploadedFiles/Graduate/GradProfessionalReference.pdf
• Résumé.
• Personal statement on why the applicant seeks a teaching career.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose primary language is not English.
• Note: Background check information will be provided to admitted candidates in Track I Initial Licensure. Prior to apprenticing in schools, participants must submit a Criminal Record Information Form.

Please send required documents to:

Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies

The University of Tampa

401 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Box 102F

Tampa, FL 33606-1490

For more information or assistance, contact the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies at or call [phone].

Transfer Credit Policy

A maximum of 9 credit hours of graduate-level credit taken at other regionally accredited institutions will be evaluated for application toward the M.Ed. degree. Only credits earned with grades of “B” or better will be considered. Coursework completed more than seven years prior to admission will not be applied toward a master’s degree.