National University

What you'll study

Students begin with a required 3-credit introductory course that orients candidates to the MAE learning outcomes and practitioner research paradigms. The remaining eight emphasis courses (each 3 credits) are chosen from Sanford College of Education graduate-level, non-credential offerings. Course topics available in the emphasis list include:

• Foundations of education: historical, philosophical, psychological and social bases of schooling, equity and diversity issues.
• Literacy and reading: English phonology, morphology and orthography; phonemic awareness and explicit phonics; discourse processing and strategies for guided and independent reading.
• Early childhood education: leadership roles, ethics, social policy, current issues, development and research on young children’s thinking, curriculum integration and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Inclusion and special needs: variations in child development, disability identification, cultural/linguistic diversity, and program adaptations and accommodations.
• Adult learning and leadership: adult learning theory, leadership for ECE leaders, facilitation of adult learners and advocacy including grant writing, public policy and political action strategies.
• Higher education administration options: fundamentals of college/university operations, financial and strategic planning, enrollment and student services, assessment, accountability, change management and power dynamics affecting policy and accreditation.
• Educational research and practitioner research designs used to inform instruction, curriculum, assessment and policy.

Many ECE- and higher-education-focused courses list prerequisites (ATP 600 or MAE 610) where noted. Students may not select more than four courses from any single subject area to satisfy the MAE requirements.

Entry requirements

To earn the MAE students must complete 30 semester credit hours and achieve a minimum grade of B- in all courses. The program permits up to 3 semester credit hours of graduate transfer credit (provided the credits were not used to earn another advanced degree). In addition, up to 11.25 units of graduate-level credit may be granted for prior learning experience subject to review and approval by the Sanford College of Education Prior Learning Experience Assessment Committee. Students enrolled in a credential program who decide not to finish the credential may, with Academic Program Director approval, transfer courses into the MAE.

Career prospects

The degree targets educators and other education professionals seeking non-credential advancement: classroom teachers pursuing advanced instructional practice, early childhood leaders, special education practitioners, educational technologists, or staff aiming for roles in higher education administration. Graduates use the coursework and practitioner research skills to move into specialist instructional roles, leadership positions within schools or ECE settings, program coordination, policy/advocacy roles, or staff positions in postsecondary student services and administration.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should investigate institutional scholarships at National University, employer tuition assistance, federal student aid eligibility, and credit-for-prior-learning awards (up to 11.25 units) which can reduce the amount of coursework to pay for. Contact the admissions or financial aid office for current funding options and application steps.