The Master of Arts in Education
The master of arts in education (MAEd) degree is administratively located in the College of Education. MAEd programs range from a minimum of 36 to 39 semester hours, depending on the teaching area. All MAEd degree programs require completion of course work in the following competency areas: research, trends, and issues in education; the diverse learner; and, effective communication and leadership. The program is designed so that students and advisors have options in completing these competencies.
All MAEd programs require completion of a final product. Depending on the teaching area selected, the final product may be in the form of a comprehensive examination (written or oral), a thesis, a research project, or a portfolio. See the description of teaching area specific courses (below) for information about how the final product requirement is satisfied in each teaching area.
A student may seek acceptance into the College of Education and one of the teaching areas offered in the MAEd. Minimum requirements for admission to the College of Education’s MAEd program include the following:
- All MAEd applicants (except those applying to the adult education MAEd program) must currently hold or be eligible for an initial teaching license. Entrance into an MAEd teaching area other than that of the initial licensure area may require prerequisite courses and a passing score on the area specialty PRAXIS exam for licensure.
- Overall GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from an institution accredited by an institutionally accredited association.
- Satisfactory entrance examination scores on either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test. This must be completed prior to admission or completion of 9 s.h. of graduate credit.
- A completed Graduate School application packet, including the written statement of purpose, a copy of the initial teaching license, and three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic competence or ability to do graduate work.
- This degree makes a student eligible for M level licensure. Candidate must already hold A level license to be eligible for M level license.
Upon acceptance into a teaching area, the student is assigned an advisor.
Other Requirements for the MAEd
General requirements for the completion of the master’s degrees are as follows:
- 36-39 s.h. of course work, depending upon the teaching area.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- Meeting specific teaching area requirements.
- Completion of a culminating project.
Students who do not have at least a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the MAEd program may be allowed to submit up to 6 s.h. additional graduate credit hours in residence on the East Carolina University campus or at an approved graduate center in order to accumulate a 3.0 average. These credits will be in the area(s) evaluated as being weak.
Elementary Education, MAEd
The Elementary Education, MAEd leads to a NC Advanced, M Level license in Elementary Education Grades K-6. Candidates must hold a valid NC initial, A level license in Elementary Education Grades K-6 in order to be eligible to upgrade the license to the advanced, M level upon program completion.
Candidates may be admitted to the MAEd in Elementary Education if they do not hold the valid NC initial, A level license in Elementary Education Grades K-6, including anyone with a license in another area, with an out-of-state license, or with no license at all. These candidates will be required to sign the LNNC Waiver and by doing so are duly informed that they will not receive the NC recommendation for Elementary Education Grades K-6 advanced, M level licensure until the NC initial, A level licensure requirements are met, which will include additional NC licensure tests.
The LNNC Waiver can be located at https://education.ecu.edu/graduate/ . The waiver should accompany the application for admission to the MAEd.
ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. Requirements in other states may be different.
Upon successful completion of ECU educator preparation program degree requirements and licensure requirements for the State of North Carolina candidates will be eligible for an ECU recommendation for a NC license. However, final licensure granting decisions are the sole responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction not ECU.
Candidates who seek out of state employment or out of state licensure will have to meet the receiving state’s requirements. There is no automatic licensure reciprocity between states. ECU will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek this verification, but those candidates will be responsible for working with the receiving state to complete any additional requirements to obtain the license and/or employment in the receiving state.
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