Education
College of Liberal Arts
School of Education
(907) 474-7341
Minimum Requirements for Degrees: B.Ed: minimum of 130 credits; M.Ed.: minimum of 36 additional credits, Ed.S.: 36 credits beyond master's degree and 60 credits beyond baccalaureate; Post Baccalaureate: Elementary certification -- minimum of 45 credits; Secondary certification and K-12 certification -- minimum of 33 credits.
I. LICENSURE AND ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
Teaching licenses are issued by the State of Alaska Department of Education. Students who successfully complete a UAF Education program including student teaching will meet the current academic requirements for Alaska licensure. Students interested in teaching in a state other than Alaska should consult the licensure department for that state to obtain specific licensure requirements.
All UAF education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and follow the standards for NCATE review. These programs are also approved by the State of Alaska Department of Education.
Students may contact the Office of Certification and Advising in the UAF School of Education or the rural faculty at the nearest campus for additional information and support.
II. ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION
In addition to being accepted by the University, all students wishing to be licensed must also formally apply for admission to the Fairbanks elementary education program or secondary post-baccalaureate program offered on the Fairbanks campus, or the rural elementary or secondary education program offered on the rural campuses. Admission requirements may be found on the following pages.
Continuation in these programs is based upon the maintenance of satisfactory performance in all areas of the program. A student who fails student teaching will be exited from the program, and further involvement is dependent upon a reapplication process. See the Coordinator of the Office of Practica Experience regarding this procedure.
III. EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Education programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks have the responsibility for preparing highly qualified professionals in education who are prepared to teach in both urban and rural Alaska, and to work with multicultural and minority students, especially Alaska Native students.
These education programs are offered through two delivery systems: resident programs at the Fairbanks campus, and distance education programs through the Rural Education Program at the following rural campus areas: Barrow (Ilisagvik), Bethel (Kuskokwim), Dillingham (Bristol Bay), Interior Campus, Kotzebue (Chukchi), and Nome (Northwest).
- Fairbanks Campus Resident Program:
Offered at the Fairbanks campus are resident programs leading to both elementary and secondary teaching licenses. These programs are designed for full-time students, although part-time students are accommodated when possible. The professional year, the last year in the program, is an intensive compressed integrated curriculum that incorporates university classwork with practicum experiences and culminates in student teaching. It requires a full-time commitment since students are placed in the school for methods' practicum experiences and student teaching.
Available at the Fairbanks campus are a Bachelor of Education degree program in elementary education, an elementary education minor with licensure, an elementary education minor without licensure, a general education minor, a post-baccalaureate elementary education program (a minimum of the elementary minor), and a secondary licensure program (post-baccalaureate). A Bachelors of Education degree in secondary education is no longer available at the Fairbanks campus. A student wishing to be licensed for secondary teaching must complete the bachelor's degree requirements, including all requirements for a licensable major, before entering the Secondary Post-Baccalaureate Program.
- Rural Education Program
The rural program is the teacher education program offered through the University of Alaska Fairbanks' rural campuses to serve the unique educational needs of Alaska's village residents. Full-time education faculty members are responsible for coordinating program activities within each region through the regional campuses. The rural program offers full-time undergraduate coursework in education for students seeking a B.Ed. degree in either elementary or secondary education. Available degree majors, minors and concentration areas are limited by faculty resources. Priority for enrollment in field-based courses is given to students formally admitted to the program, but are available to other students on a space-available basis and with permission of the instructor.
In addition, the rural program provides supplemental services including workshops, technical assistance and other support services as time and resources permit. All inquiries should be addressed to the program coordinator's office at each campus, or the Director, School of Education, Fairbanks campus.
IV. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
To be recommended for an elementary teaching certificate, a student must complete the requirements of one of the following three options: A) B.Ed. in Elementary Education, B) Minor in Elementary Education with licensure, or C) Post-Baccalaureate Licensure in Elementary Education. All three options are available both at the Fairbanks campus and through the rural program.
Students admitted to either the Fairbanks Teacher Education program or the rural program may transfer between programs without reapplying for admission. However, it is important to note that the programs have different placement procedures and timetables. The Office of Certification and Advising will assist transferring students.
Students graduating under earlier catalog requirements will substitute ED 410, 411, 412, and 413 for the past required courses ED 381, 419 and 421.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
- Elementary Education -- B.Ed. Degree
- Complete general university requirements.
- Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements:
- Humanities (9 credits)
LING 101 -- Nature of Language (3 credits)
Electives (6 credits) - Social Sciences (9 credits)
ANTH 242 -- Native Cultures of Alaska (3 credits)
PSY 101 -- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
PSY 240 -- Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credits) - Mathematics (6 credits)
MATH 205 -- Math. for Elementary School Teachers I (3 credits)
MATH 206 -- Math. for Elementary School Teachers II (3 credits) - Complete one of the concentrations listed below:
Each concentration must have a minimum of 12 upper division credits (except Early Childhood). Core requirements (except Communication requirements) may be counted toward these concentrations.
- Humanities (30 credits)
At least 12 credits concentrated in Art, or English, or Music - Social Science (30 credits)
At least 12 credits concentrated in one discipline - Mathematics and/or Science (29 credits)
At least 12 credits concentrated in one discipline - ESL/Applied Linguistics (21 credits)
ENGL 317 - Traditional English Grammar
or ENGL 318 -- Modern English Grammar (3 credits)
ENGL 462 -- Applied English Linguistics (3 credits)
ANS 320 -- Language and Ethnicity (3 credits)
Credits in a language (6 credits)
Approved linguistics courses (6 credits) - Alaska Native Languages/Bilingual (25-27 credits)
Complete 16-18 credits from one Alaska Native Language or other world language (16-18 credits)
Complete 9 credits from the following:
ANL 215 - Alaska Native Languages: Eskimo-Aleut (3)
ANL 216 - Alaska Native Languages: Indian Languages (3)
ANL 287 - Teaching Methods for Alaska Native Languages (3)
ANL 288 - Curriculum & Materials Development for Alaska Native Languages (3)
ANS 320 - Language & Culture: Applications to Alaska (3)
ED/LING 303 - Language Acquisitions (3)
LING 340 - Aspects of Bilingualism (3)
LING 410 -Theory & Methods of Second Language Teaching (3)
LING 450 -Language, Policy & Planning (3) (9 credits)
OR
Students who meet requirement for the Native Language Education Certificate (see catalog program section for the Native Language Education program requirements) may substitute the certificate for the ANL/Bilingual Concentration Area. - Early Childhood (18 credits)
12 credits of Early Childhood courses plus 6 upper division credits from one of the following:
Art Physical Education
Early Childhood Communication
English Theater
Music
- Humanities (30 credits)
- Education -- complete the following:
Foundation/Theory Courses
ED 201 -- Introduction to Education (3 credits)
ED 330 -- Assessment of Learning (3 credits)
ED 350 -- Communications in Cross-Cultural Classrooms (3 credits)
ED 375 -- The Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
Education Foundation Elective (ED/LING 303, ED 345, 346, 380, 385, 422, 429, 440, 450, ANS/ED 420, ED/JB 486) (3 credits)
Physical Education Elective (PE 316, 317 or 327) (3 credits)
ED 304 -- Literature for Children (3 credits)
Art Education Elective (ED 309, 310) (3 credits)
Methods Block Courses
ED 410 -- Foundations of Literacy Development (3 credits)
ED 411 -- Strat. for Reading/Writing Instr. in Multicult. Classrooms (3 credits)
ED 412 -- Lang. Arts and Social Studies: Methods and Curric. Dev (3 credits)
ED 413 -- Math. and Science: Methods and Curric. Dev (3 credits)
Student Teaching
ED 452 -- Elementary Student Teaching (12 credits)
(Candidates who have successfully taught full-time in self-contained elementary classrooms may request a reduced student teaching experience. Contact the Office of Practica Experience for further information.)
Minimum credits required (130 credits)
- Humanities (9 credits)
- MINOR in Education -- With or Without Teacher License Endorsement
Majors in other departments who wish to obtain an Elementary License should contact the UAF School of Education to obtain course requirements and application procedures for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students must have completed the necessary prerequisites and have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program prior to acceptance for placement in methods courses and student teaching. Students may have a minor in education without student teaching, but they must complete student teaching if they wish to meet certification requirements for teaching.
MINOR in Elementary Education (WITH license endorsement):- Foundation/Theory Courses
PSY 240 -- Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
ED 201 -- Introduction to Education (3 credits)
ED 304 -- Literature for Children (3 credits)
ED 330 -- Assessment of Learning (3 credits)
ED 375 -- The Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
Education Foundation Elective (ED/LING 303, ED 345, 346,
350, 380, 385, 422, 429, 440, 450, ANS/ED 420, ED/JB 486) (3 credits)
MATH 205 -- Mathematics for Elementary School
Teachers I (3 credits)
MATH Elective (100-level or above) (3 credits)
Methods Block Courses
ED 410 -- Foundations of Literacy Development (3 credits)
ED 411 -- Strat. for Reading/Writing Instr. in Multicultural Classrooms (3 credits)
ED 412 -- Lang. Arts and Social Studies: Methods and Curriculum Development (3 credits)
ED 413 -- Math. and Science: Methods and Curric. Dev (3 credits)
Student Teaching
ED 452 -- Elementary Student Teaching (12 credits)
MINOR in Elementary Education (WITHOUT license endorsement):- Complete the Elementary Education minor requirements excluding ED 452 -- Elementary Student Teaching.
- Foundation/Theory Courses
- Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Licensure Program:
Post-baccalaureate students who wish to obtain an Elementary License should contact the UAF School of Education to obtain course requirements and application procedures for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students must have completed the necessary prerequisites and have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program prior to acceptance for placement in methods courses and student teaching.
Course requirements are the same as those for Elementary Education Minor with Licensure.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS -- ELEMENTARY
The Elementary Education Program is a selective teacher education program. In order to obtain an elementary teaching license, all students (B.Ed. majors, elementary education minors, and post-baccalaureate) must not only complete one of the three above options, they also must apply and be admitted to the Elementary Teacher Education Program. Admission to UAF as a degree student majoring in education does not automatically qualify a student for admission to the Elementary Teacher Education Program. Admission to the program is based on a comprehensive system that includes more than one measure and is used by the education faculty to assess the personal characteristics, communications, and basic skills proficiency of candidates preparing to teach.
Once in the program, there is ongoing professional assessment with two formal reviews which monitor the progress of elementary education students from admission through completion of their professional education program. One review is prior to entry to the professional year (which begins with the methods block), and one prior to entry to student teaching. These reviews include an evaluation of grades, observations, faculty recommendations, demonstrated competence in academic work, and recommendations from the appropriate professionals in the schools. Consistent procedures and relevant criteria are used to determine eligibility for student teaching. Systematic approaches are used to assist education students who are making unsatisfactory progress in this program. Specific admission procedures and criteria for each of these three steps for the Fairbanks and rural programs are described in the following sections.
Fairbanks Campus Program -- Elementary
- Admission to elementary education program (B.Ed. major, elementary education minor, and licensure)
In order to be considered for admission to the elementary education program, students must:
- Submit a complete application, including all required transcripts and references, in accordance with deadlines.
- Complete a minimum of 45 semester credits, (up to 30 transfer credits may be used).
- Students will be chosen for the program based on the following multiple measures which will be weighed and assessed by various means, including but not limited to faculty rating forms, letters of reference, university transcripts, writing samples, and evaluations from University-sponsored practicum placements. The range and balance in these four areas will be considered in a review by the faculty. Questions faculty will ask in this review include: does the student have:
- a solid academic background (a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7),
- interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills,
- successful experience in one or more of the following contexts:
- preschool or public school classrooms,
- other settings with children,
- rural Alaska,
- culturally diverse settings, and
- practical skills and life experiences
- Review criteria for entry to elementary education professional year (methods block and student teaching)
- Acceptance to the elementary education program.
- Placement information form on file with Elementary Education Office by October 1 to begin the professional year during the spring semester or by February 15 to begin the professional year during the fall semester. Students are admitted for a specific semester, and must reapply if their schedule changes.
- Completion of 100 credits leading to a bachelor's degree.
- Completion of all required education courses (except ED 410, 411, 412, and 413) and all required math courses, with a minimum grade of "C" in education and math courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.
- Approval of Elementary Education Committee to enter the professional year.
A maximum of 15 credits per semester is recommended while enrolled in the professional year.
- Review criteria for entry to elementary education student teaching
- Successful completion of Methods Block.
- Placement information for student teaching on file with the Office of Practica Experience by October 1 for student teaching in the spring semester or by February 15 for student teaching in the fall semester.
- A completed physical /TB examination.
- Approval of faculty to enter student teaching.
Students who feel they have experience comparable to student teaching may petition to have the requirement reduced or waived. See the Coordinator of the Office of Practica Experience regarding this procedure.
Rural placements for student teaching are also available. Contact the Office of Practica Experience for further information. - Students who meet all of the above requirements at another university must complete at least 9 credits in Education courses at UAF.
- Admission to elementary education program (B.Ed. major, elementary education minor, and licensure)
Students outside the Fairbanks area should contact the Rural Education Program faculty at the nearest UAF rural campus for specific admission and degree requirements.
V. SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
To be recommended for a secondary teaching license, a student must complete the requirements of one of the following three options: A) Secondary Licensure: Post-Baccalaureate Program (Fairbanks Campus only), B) B.Ed in Secondary Education (Rural Program, distance delivery only), or C) Secondary Licensure: Rural Program (distance delivery only).
Admission procedures and criteria for admission to the rural secondary education program are the same as those for the rural elementary education program. Admission procedures and criteria for admission to Fairbanks' Secondary Post-Baccalaureate Program are discussed below.
Program Requirements -- Secondary
- Fairbanks Campus Secondary Licensure Program: Post-Baccalaureate Program
The Post-Baccalaureate Program is a professional licensure program which prepares highly qualified teachers for secondary (7-12) school positions. The program is especially designed for students who want to teach at the secondary school level either in small rural schools or in Alaska's urban multicultural secondary schools. It is an intensive, extended two-semester program which students begin before the start of one academic semester, and complete after the end of the following academic semester. For further information on the program, please contact the Coordinator of the UAF Office of Certification and Advising in the School of Education.
Admission Requirements -- Secondary Post-Baccalaureate- Applicants for the Secondary Post-Baccalaureate Program must meet credit requirements for licensure in a specific subject area as approved by the Alaska Department of Education. Eligible applicants include 1) UAF undergraduates who will have completed bachelor's degree requirements for an Alaska State Department of education licensable subject area by the start of the first semester of the program; and 2) post-baccalaureate students who already possess a bachelor degree in a licensable subject area. Licensable subject areas are: Alaska Native Languages, Anthropology, Art, Biological Science, Chemistry, English, Foreign Languages, General Science, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Political Science, Speech Communication, Theatre Arts, Language Arts/Humanities (interdisciplinary), Social Science (interdisciplinary), or Math/Science (interdisciplinary). The Office of Certification and Advising will evaluate past degrees to determine eligibility.
- Acceptance to the secondary post-baccalaureate program is contingent upon acceptance into the University of Alaska Fairbanks and completion of an application form obtained from the School of Education.
- All application materials, including transcripts and letters of reference, must be received by February 15 in order to be reviewed for admission in the following fall semester.
- This is a selective teacher education program. A comprehensive system that includes more than one measure is used to assess the personal characteristics, communication, and basic skills proficiency of candidates preparing to teach. This system includes, but is not limited to, the following multiple measures which will be weighed and assessed by various means, including a review of transcripts, essays and/or writing proficiency exams, and letters of reference. Faculty may also require interviews. The range and balance of these four areas will be considered in a review by the faculty. Questions the faculty will ask in making admissions decisions include: Does the student have
- A diverse, solid academic background (GPA of 2.7 or higher),
- Interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills,
- Successful experience in one or more of the following contexts:
- Public school classrooms,
- Other settings with students,
- Rural students,
- Culturally diverse settings, and
- Practical skills and life experiences to contribute to educational programs
- Once accepted into the program, the School of Education has a systematic procedure for monitoring the progress of education students from admission through completion of their professional education program to determine if they should continue in the program, be advanced to student teaching, or be recommended for a teaching license. In assessing student progress, faculty review grades, observations, faculty recommendations, demonstrated academic competence, and recommendations from the appropriate professionals in the schools. Systematic approaches are used to assist education students who are making unsatisfactory progress in their programs.
- Reciprocity will be maintained with rural campus programs. Specific criteria for entry to secondary education student teaching are as follows:
- Successful completion of the first block in the program.
- Placement information for student teaching on file with the Office of Practica Experience by October 1 for student teaching in the spring semester, or by February 15 for student teaching in the fall semester.
- A completed physical examination.
- Approval of faculty to enter student teaching.
Rural students wishing to complete their professional year on the Fairbanks campus must send intent to enroll information to the Office of Certification and Advising. Please contact your advisor and the Coordinator for the Office of Certification and Advising for further information. - Secondary teacher candidates seeking initial licensure who are interested in an additional elementary endorsement should contact the Office of Certification and Advising for details during the application process. Those students interested in separate Elementary licensure must meet admission requirements for the elementary program.
Course Requirements: Secondary Subject Area Endorsement
- First Block (15 credits):
ED 632 -- Teaching as Reflective Inquiry (4 credits)
ED 634 -- Teaching as Decision Making and Invention (8 credits)
ED 451 -- Practicum in Education (3 credits) - Second Block (18 credits):
ED 643 -- Reflective Inquiry into Multicultural
Classrooms and Communities (3 credits)
ED 644 -- Designing Learning Environments (3 credits)
ED 453 -- Student Teaching (12 credits)
Secondary Education Transition Policy
Students graduating under the requirements in any catalog before the 1991-92 catalog year will substitute ED 451, 453, 632 and 634 for the following past required courses:
Secondary B.Ed. Secondary
Education
minorB.T. ED 201
ED 330
ED 350
ED 375
Education
foundation
elective
Health/nutrition
elective
ED 402
ED 407
ED 430
ED 490
ED 453ED 201
ED 330
ED 375
Education
foundation
elective
PSY 240
ED 402
ED 407
ED 424 or 425
ED 453
ED 201
ED 330
ED 375
Education
foundation
elective
PSY 240
ED 402
ED 407
ED 424 or 425
ED 453
In order to be eligible for licensure, students must also complete ED 643 and ED 644.
- Rural Secondary Education Degree -- B.Ed. Degree (Minimum Credits -- 130)
Students outside the Fairbanks area should contact the rural program faculty at the nearest UAF rural campus for specific admissions and degree requirements.- Complete the general university core requirements, including the baccalaureate core.
- Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements:
- Humanities (9 credits)
LING 101 -- Nature of Language (3 credits)
Humanities Electives (6 credits) - Social Sciences (9 credits)
ANTH 242 -- Native Cultures of Alaska (3 credits)
PSY 101 -- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
PSY 240 -- Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credits) - Mathematics (6 credits)
Math Electives (6 credits) - Complete one of the 3 interdisciplinary major/minors listed below:
Each major/minor must have a minimum of 12 upper division credits.- Language Arts/Humanities (48 credits)
Core English requirements (6 credits)
Core Humanities requirements (9 credits)
English Electives (9 credits)
Communication, Journalism and Theater (6 credits)
Alaska Native Languages, Foreign Languages and Literature, Linguistics (6 credits)
Alaska Native Studies (courses classified as humanities only), Art, Humanities, Music, Philosophy (9 credits)
Electives from above areas (3 credits) - Social Sciences (48 credits)
Core Social Science requirements (9 credits)
History Electives (3 credits)
(Recommended: HIST 101-102 -- Western Civilization, HIST 131-132 -- History of the U.S.)
Anthropology Electives (6 credits)
(Recommended: ANTH 200 -- Social/Cultural Anth., ANTH 242 -- Native Cultures of Alaska)
Political Science Electives (6 credits)
(Recommended: PS 101 -- Intro. to Amer. Govt. and Politics, PS 263 -- Alaska Native Politics)
Geography Electives (6 credits)
(Recommended: GEOG 101 -- Intro. Geography or GEOG 203 -- World Economic Geog.
Economics Electives (6 credits)
(Recommended: ECON 202 -- Princ. of Econ. I, ECON 201 -- Princ. of Econ. II, or ECON 137 -- The Alaskan Economy, or ECON 235 -- Intro. to Natural Resources Economics
Upper Division Social Science Electives (12 credits)
Selected from the following areas (minimum of 9 credits in one area): History, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Political Science, Economics. - Math/Science (45 credits)
Core Math requirements (3 credits)
HUM 202 -- Unity in the Sciences (3 credits)
Math Electives (minimum 6 credits upper division) (12 credits)
Core Science requirements (8 credits)
Science Electives (minimum 6 credits upper division) (19 credits)
Included in the 8 credit core science requirement and 19 credit science electives must be a minimum of 6 credits from each of the following fields: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geoscience.
- Language Arts/Humanities (48 credits)
- Education -- Complete the following:
Foundation/Theory Courses
ED 201 -- Introduction to Education (3 credits)
ED 330 -- Assessment of Learning (3 credits)
ED 350 -- Communications in Cross-Cultural Classrooms (3 credits)
ED 375 -- The Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
Education Foundation Elective (ED 345, 346, 380, 450, 422, or ANS 420) (3 credits)
Approved Health/Nutrition Elective (HMSV 205, EMS 103, PE 246, EC 120, HLTH 203) (3 credits)
Methods Block Courses
ED 407 -- Reading Strategies for Secondary Teachers (3 credits)
ED 424 -- Small High School Programs
or ED 425 -- Community as an Educational Resource (3 credits)
ED 402 -- Methods of Teaching in the Secondary School or approved substitute (3 credits)
ED 430 -- Multicultural Teaching Techniques (3 credits)
Student Teaching
ED 453 -- Secondary Student Teaching (12 credits)
(Candidates who have successfully taught full-time in secondary schools may request a reduced student teaching experience. Contact the Office of Practica Experience for further information.)
Minimum credits required (130 credits)
- Humanities (9 credits)
- Rural Secondary Licensure Program
(For non-Fairbanks campus students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in a licensable teaching subject area.)
Foundation/Theory Courses
PSY 240 -- Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
ED 201 -- Introduction to Education (3 credits)
ED 330 -- Assessment of Learning (3 credits)
ED 375 -- The Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
Education Foundation Elective (ED 345, 346, 350, 380, 450, or ANS 420) (3 credits)
Methods Courses
ED 402 -- Methods of Teaching in the Secondary School (3 credits)
ED 407 -- Reading Strategies for Secondary Teachers (3 credits)
ED 424 -- Small High School Programs
or ED 425 -- Community as an Educational Resource (3 credits)
ED 430 -- Multicultural Teaching Techniques (3 credits)
Student Teaching
ED 453 -- Secondary Student Teaching (12 credits)
(Candidates who have successfully taught full-time in secondary schools may request a reduced student teaching experience. Contact the Office of Practica Experience for further information.)
- VI. OTHER PROGRAMS
MINOR in General Education
For those students interested in exploring the possibility of a career in education before beginning the elementary education professional year or the secondary post-baccalaureate program, and for those students who are interested in education but who may not wish to pursue licensure, there is the option of completing a minor in general education that is not linked to licensure or admission to either education program. Students may also elect to take one or more of the following courses according to their own personal interests. The minor consists of the following courses:- ED 201 -- Introduction to Education (3 credits)
ED 299 -- Practicum in Education (3 credits)
ED 350 -- Communication in Cross-Cultural Classrooms (3 credits)
Two approved education electives (6 credits)
PSY 240 -- Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
The School of Education offers two international exchange programs, one with the Soviet Union and one with Japan. Both programs offer students an excellent opportunity to study and teach abroad. The Soviet Exchange Program is with Magadan State Pedagogical Institute, and allows a short term exchange (3 to 4 weeks) and a long term exchange (one semester or one academic year). The Japan Exchange Program is with Hokkaido University of Education in Sapporo, Japan. During the one month exchange, UAF students who have completed student teaching will complete a three-week teaching internship in Japanese schools and participate in an orientation and program debriefing at Hokkaido University. Students interested in these programs are encouraged to begin language study in the appropriate language as undergraduates.
Graduate Degree Requirements
M.Ed. Degree
Students may earn an M.Ed. in one of four areas of specialization: 1) Cross-Cultural Education, 2) Curriculum and Instruction, 3) Educational Leadership, and 4) Language and Literacy. Inquiries concerning options and the specific requirements of each option should be directed to the School of Education, Coordinator of Graduate Programs.
Application Review Process
Applications are due on April 1 and October 1 and are reviewed immediately thereafter for admission in the following semester. Faculty may vote to Admit, to Not Admit, or to Admit With Stipulations. Stipulations are specified when additional development in particular areas is needed before beginning a graduate degree program.
Admission Requirements
Minimum requirements for admission to the M.Ed. program are:- Bachelor's degree, minimum of 24 credits of education courses, and an average 3.00 GPA.
- One year of satisfactory teaching or administrative experience in public schools. Alternative experience may be accepted.
- Application form, submitted to the UAF Office of Admissions.
- Scores on the general Graduate Record Examination.
- A 4-5 page essay which describes the applicant's career goals and educational philosophy, and how those goals and philosophy are relevant to the College's mission and the education graduate degree program.
- Complete UAF degree requirements.
- Complete the Education Department requirements as follows:
- At least 36 credits must be completed for specializations in Cross-Cultural Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Language and Literacy, and individualized programs with other emphases, and at least 42 credits for Educational Leadership with a Type B Principals Endorsement (see following section).
- No more than 9 credits earned before admission to an M.Ed. program may count toward that degree.
- At least 30 credits must be completed at the 600 level.
- At least 15 credits must be completed on the Fairbanks campus.
- A synthesizing paper, to demonstrate mastery of the student's program of study, is required in lieu of the university comprehensive examination requirement.
- An educational research project (or in some cases a thesis) is required.
- Core courses (15 credits)
ED 601 -- Intro. to Applied Social Science Research (3 credits)
ED 603 -- Field Study Research Methods (3 credits)
ED 689 -- Proseminar in Applied Educational
Research (satisfies requirement for ED 602) (3 credits)
ED 690 -- Seminar in Cross-Cultural Studies (3 credits)
ED 698 -- Research Project (3 credits) - One of the following (3 credits):
ED 610 -- Education & Cultural Processes (3 credits)
ED 612 -- Cultural & Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)
ED 616 -- Education & Socioeconomic Change (3 credits)
ED 621 -- Cultural Aspects of Language Acquisition (3 credits) - Elective credits (to be selected in consultation with each student's advisory committee):
Cross-Cultural; Curriculum/Instruction; or Language/Literacy (18 credits)
Educational Leadership (24 credits)
Type B License Program (24 credits)
Students already holding a master's degree may add the Type B License Program for Administrative Licensure. This Type B Program is credited toward a Master's in Educational Leadership for those just beginning graduate school.
Type B License Program requirements (24 credits):- Required Courses (12 credits)
ED 663 -- School Law and Ethics (3 credits)
ED 695 -- Leadership: Structure and Organizational Behavior for School Administrators (3 credits)
ED 695 -- Social and Political Foundations of Education (3 credits)
ED 631 -- Small Schools Curriculum Design (3 credits)
ED 676 -- Required Administrative Internship (12 credits)
(2 semesters, 6 credits each)
The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is designed for teachers and other educators (1) who wish to undertake graduate study beyond the master's degree; (2) who wish to qualify for an intermediate degree between the master's and the doctorate; (3) who wish to develop further competence in one field of specialization. The focus of this degree program is cross-cultural education or educational leadership.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must be experienced educators who have at least three years of professional teaching, counseling or administrative experience.
- Applicant should have a master's degree in an approved area of study as determined by the Education faculty's admissions committee. The committee may recommend provisional admittance subject to elimination of deficiencies.
- Admission will be contingent upon:
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 in previous graduate work.
- Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination general test and the advanced test in Education (or permission of admissions committee)
- A satisfactory review conducted by admissions committee of the education department (may include a personal interview by the committee).
Degree Requirements
- Complete UAF degree requirements.
- Minimum requirements will be the completion of 36 semester hours beyond the master's degree level. Students may transfer a maximum of 9 hours from another university into their program.
- At least 30 of the 36 semester hours must be at the graduate level (600).
- Fulfillment of the requirements of the Ed.S. degree must be completed within seven years.
- Satisfactory performance on a written and oral comprehensive examination is required.
Course Requirements (36 credits):
Courses will be selected in consultation with the student's advisory committee and will depend upon the student's prior training and field of specialization. Candidates will be required to have 36 credits for this degree, and a total background of at least 60 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree as outlined in the following course requirements:
- Core requirements for all Educational Specialist candidates (courses completed as part of a master's programs may not be applied toward the Educational Specialist Degree).
Core courses (12 credits)
ED 601 -- Introduction to Applied Social Science Research (3 credits)
ED 610 -- Education and Cultural Processes (3 credits)
ED 612 -- Cultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)
ED 690 -- Seminar in Cross-Cultural Studies (to be taken upon the completion of a minimum of 24 hours of raduate study) (3 credits) - Cross-Cultural Education Specialization Courses (15 Credits)
ED 689 -- Proseminar in Applied Educational Research (3 credits)
ED 611 -- Learning, Thinking and Percep in Cultural Perspective (3 credits)
ED 612 -- Cultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)
ED 615 -- Social Organization of Classrooms and Learning (3 credits)
ED 620 -- Language, Literacy and Learning (3 credits) - Electives: 600 level courses approved by candidate's committee
- Recommended courses to provide specialization depth:
ANS 475 -- Alaska Native Social Change
ED 621 -- Cultural Aspects of Language Acquisition
ED 630 -- Curriculum Theory
ED 660 -- Educational Administration in Cultural Perspective - Field Study or Internship (minimum of 6 credits)
Under the guidance of the student's graduate committee, each candidate will design a field research project. Students will submit a written report on their findings and will defend the completed project and their conclusions in an oral examination before their advisory committee.
A research design may include the following tools of research: analysis of cumulative records, questionnaires, sociometric techniques, interviews with open-ended questions, analysis of test scores, analysis of textbooks, observation of teaching and administrative techniques, participant observation in the school and community, and rating scales.
- ED 201 -- Introduction to Education (3 credits)