The specialist in education degree is offered collaboratively between the School of Health Sciences and the John H. Lounsbury School of Education. The program provides advanced study for qualified master educators. It is designed to equip the master health and physical education teacher with additional professional leadership skills to serve both educational and social agencies within the community. Activities and experiences will be oriented toward developing: (a) insight into the theoretical and foundational bases of teaching, (b) understanding of human growth and development and of the guidance functions demanded of the professional educator, (c) competence as a consumer of research findings and ability in designing and carrying out action research in the classroom or gymnasium, (d) command of concepts, understandings and generalizations, as well as knowledge and skill in health and physical education, (e) ability to communicate ideas and facts with greater acuity and fluency, (g) ability to exert leadership as well as willingness to accept responsibility in the field of health and physical education, and (h) higher levels of competence in classroom performance thus leading to better education for children and youth.

REGULAR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The complete application, including all supporting papers, should be filed with the Office of Enrollment Services not later than 3 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant proposes to begin the Specialist degree program

Applicants for admission to the program leading to the Specialist in Education degree must:

1. Hold either (1) Master of Education or comparable degree with a specialization in Health and Physical Education which includes advanced professional education or (2) any other masters degree to which has been added advanced professional education and eligibility for a clear, renewable level 5 State of Georgia Teaching Certificate. In either case, the degree and the content field must be in Health and Physical Education.

2. Have a 3.25 academic grade point average on all graduate work attempted.

3. Submit a verification of experience letter from employing school system verifying at least two years of teaching experience in Health and Physical Education prior to admission.

4. Submit scores on the GRE General Test that enables a 1225 on the following admission formula : GRE verbal + GRE quantitative or analytical + graduate GPA X 100 or submit scores on the MAT that enables 77.5 on the following admission formula: MAT score + graduate GPA X 10.

Work taken prior to regular admission cannot be applied toward the Ed.S. degree.

Applicants denied admission to the Ed.S. program may submit a written request for review of their application to the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Health Sciences.

PROVISIONAL/CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

All students applying for admission into the Specialist degree program must be eligible for regular admission. There is no provisional or conditional admission in the Specialist Degree Program in Health and Physical Education.

CAREER INFORMATION

Most teachers who complete the Specialist Degree Program continue in their same positions where they provide leadership in the improvement of instruction. Others accept supervisory or leadership roles.

ADVISEMENT

Each candidate for the Specialist in Education degree is assigned a graduate advisor from the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. The advisor serves as a mentor to the Specialist Candidate and assists in proposing, scheduling, and completing the Specialist in Education Program of Graduate Study. Once the student has selected a research topic, a graduate committee is formed consisting of three or four faculty members who will supervise the research project and serve as an examination committee for the oral examination.

EXIT EXAMINATION A comprehensive exit examination must be successfully completed as a culminating activity. It is designed to show how well the student can integrate information from the course work and experience and apply that to issues and problems in the field of Health and Physical Education.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

At least 21 semester hours of the Specialist Degree program must be completed at Georgia College & State University. Six hours in Health and Physical Education or in Professional Education may be taken as a transient student at another institution if approved by the advisor. Specialist work must be completed, with the degree awarded, within four years of the initial matriculation of Specialist course work.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

RESEARCH PROJECT

Candidates for the Specialist in Education degree in Health and Physical Education must complete a research project utilizing historical, experimental, or descriptive research methodologies. The research project is planned, carried out and presented in the EDFS Professional Education course sequence.

YEAR LONG PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

Before beginning the Specialist Degree program, each candidate must complete a program of professional activities and development. A written plan, approved by the advisor, must be submitted to the Coordinator of Graduate Programs, School of Health Sciences before the program is begun. Activities in at least four of the following areas are required:

1. Be an active member of a professional organization as evidenced by such activities as holding office, making presentations, or attending conferences and/or meetings.

2. Engage in a program of professional reading as directed by the advisor.

3. Engage in professional writing as evidenced by preparation and submission to appropriate journals or other publishers of original manuscripts or other creative endeavors.

4. Provide service to the Health & Physical Education profession as evidenced by such activities as serving on a textbook selection committee, SACS committee, serving on a beginning teacher's assessment team, serving as a referee for a professional journal, offering workshops and presentations, and speaking to lay audiences.

5. Demonstrate professional creativity through development of educational support materials such as, but not limited to, a curriculum model, textbook, media production, or computer assisted instruction program.

6. Engage in visitation for the purpose of observing notable or exemplary education activities.

7. Engage in travel for professional purposes such as acquiring cross-cultural insights, developing additional skills, acquiring additional knowledge, and/or broadening professional contacts.

PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT

The student is expected to prepare and present a professional portfolio that illustrates activities, research and learning experiences that have contributed to the student's professional growth throughout the program.

Professional Education, 12 hours
EDFS 7728 Critical Issues in Education (3 hours)
EDFS 7132 Research Design (3 hours)
EDFS 7133 Applied Statistics (3 hours)(may be taken concurrently with EDFS 7132)
EDFS 7835 Field Project in Educational Research (3 hours)
 
Required Content Courses, 6 hours
PHED 6700 History and Philosophy of HPER (3 hours)
PHED 5100 Evaluation in Health, Physical Education & Recreation (3 hours)
Content Electives, 9 hours
Select remaining 9 hours from PHED and HLTH graduate courses in consultation with your advisor. These must be courses that were not part of a master's degree program
 Minimum Hours, 27

[ Refer to the Course Description Section of this catalog for courses and course descriptions. ]

[ Refer to the Course Description Section of this catalog for courses and course descriptions. ]

MED WITH A MAJOR IN HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION: HEALTH PROMOTION

MED WITH A MAJOR IN HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION: OUTDOOR EDUCATION

The Master of Education degree within Health and Physical Education prepares students as scholars, leaders, and educators. Graduate education provides the opportunity to acquire an advanced theoretical and research base for planning and providing education that is culturally sensitive and learner-centered. Value for the health of individuals and communities is a focus of this educational preparation. Students acquire education for the education specialist option or for doctoral study.

REGULAR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements of the Graduate School for degree status, applicants must:

1. Have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for the upper division major in undergraduate study.

2. Submit a current resume or curriculum vita.

3. Participate in a personal interview, if requested. The Outdoor Education Administration emphasis requires a personal interview.

4. Successfully complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

The following formula is used to determine eligibility for regular admission:

Grade Point Average (GPA) earned for major upper division undergraduate hours X 10 + GRE (verbal + quantitative or analytical) = 900 or more {verbal must = 400 or more}

or

Grade Point Average (GPA) earned for major upper division undergraduate hours X 10 + MAT = 70 or more

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students will be eligible for provisional admission in the following circumstances:

GRE score (quantitative + verbal or analytical) + GPA (major upper division undergraduate hours) X 10 = 850

or

MAT score + GPA (major upper division undergraduate hours) X 10 =55

Students who earn provisional admission status must complete 9-12 hours of graduate course work at Georgia College & State University with a 3.0 GPA to be considered for regular admission. The 9-12 hours must be earned in courses approved by the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Health Sciences and must include EDFS 6230 - Educational Research.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

Applicants who apply too late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents for evaluation may be assigned conditional admission status for one semester only. Thereafter they must have achieved either provisional or regular admission.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

The Master of Education in Health & Physical Education degree offers three areas of specialization: Health and Physical Education, Health Promotion, and Outdoor Education Administration. If teacher certification is the student's intent, the student must contact the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Education for further information about that process.

TIME LIMITATIONS FOR M.Ed DEGREE IN HEALTH &
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

The requirements for the degree program must be completed within a period of 6 years from the date that the student begins taking courses at GCSU. Courses completed more than 6 years prior to completion of the requirements for the Master's degree will be regarded as outdated and will not be applied toward the degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred from other institutions.

TRANSFER CREDITS

NOTE: For graduate programs in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, only 6 semester hours of graduate course work may be accepted from other institutions. Only courses with grades of B or better will be accepted.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

All students must pass a comprehensive exit examination before completion of their respective program of study. This examination is scheduled through the GCSU Testing Office. Students who are unsuccessful on the first attempt may repeat the examination once.

CAREER INFORMATION

Candidates for the Master of Education in Health and Physical Education often pursue their degree programs while remaining in their present full-time positions. Once finished with the program, they utilize their newly acquired knowledge and skills to improve their own job performance and to improve the quality of services to their clients. Other candidates choose to leave undergraduate programs or jobs to engage in the graduate program in full-time residence. These individuals are often looking to make a career change or to seek a position commensurate with a Master's degree.

STEPS IN COMPLETING THE MASTER OF EDUCATION IN HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

1. Submit a complete application for graduate study and all supporting documents to the Office of Enrollment Services.

2. Consult with the faculty advisor for development of program of study.

3. Complete courses with 3.0 GPA.

4. Complete the comprehensive written examination in the final semester of graduate study.

5. Submit a written application for graduation by the date specified in the official university calendar.

1. Inquiries concerning admission to graduate work in the university and majors in the health sciences should be directed to the Office of Enrollment Services, Georgia College & State University, Campus Box 023, Milledgeville, Georgia 31061.

2. Inquiries concerning the nature of MSN program should be directed to the Graduate Coordinator, School of Health Sciences, Campus Box 064; those concerning the nature of graduate programs in Health & Physical Education should be sent to the Chairperson, Department of HPER, Campus Box 065.

3. Inquiries concerning financial assistance, described in detail elsewhere in this catalog, should be sent to the Director of Financial Aid.

4. Inquiries concerning graduate assistantships should be directed to the Dean of the Graduate School.

[ Refer to the Course Description Section of this catalog for courses and course descriptions. ]

Required Content Courses, 30 semester hours
ODED 5500 - Foundations in Outdoor Education (2 hours)
PSYC 6130 - Group Leadership (3 hours)
ODED 5520 - Challenge Course Programs and Management (3 hours)
ODED 5530 - Expedition Management (2 hours)
ODED 5540 - Managing Land Outdoor Pursuits (3 hours)
ODED 5550 - Managing Water Outdoor Pursuits (3 hours)
ODED 5560 - Processing Group Experiences (2 hours)
ODED 5570 - Environmental Education (2 hours)
EDFS 6230 - Educational Research (3 hours)
ODED 6640 - Administration of Outdoor Education Programs and Services (2 hours)
ODED 6700 - Seminar in Outdoor Education Administration (2 hours)
ODED 6903 - Internship in Outdoor Education (3 hours)

 
Elective Content Courses*, 6 semester hours
Students may elect a cognate area of concentration in the Therapeutic Use of Adventure, Management, or Environmental Education. Courses are selected in conjunction with the faculty advisor. Undergraduate pre-requisites may be required.

Minimum Hours, 36

[ Refer to the Course Description Section of this catalog for courses and course descriptions. ]

ODED NOTES:

1. Students are required to show proof of liability insurance.
2. Students are required to complete a swimming proficiency test.
3. Students are required to demonstrate computer proficiency.
4. Students are required to hold a current Wilderness First Responder certificate.
5. Students are required to complete 15 hours per semester of professional service.
6. Students are required to complete 80 hours in direct facilitation of outdoor education programs and facilitate one pursuit expedition.
7. In order to graduate, students must fulfill other requirements specified in the Graduate Requirements section of the catalog.

*Other courses with approval of adviser

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in Secondary Education provides initial teacher preparation at the master's degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a major in one of the content fields listed below, or in a related area that includes coursework that is the equivalent of a major in such an area. The degree program prepares persons for certification to teach in grades 7-12 in the fields of English, Mathematics, History, Political Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Broad Field Social Science, and Broad Field Science; and for certification to teach in grades P-12 in Health, French, and Spanish. The program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate degrees did not include professional education preparation and is comprised of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work: 27 semester hours in professional education and 9 semester hours in the content field. The professional education component is a one-year, full-time, field-based journey, which begins with a new cohort in August of every year and follows the public school calendar. All professional education courses are field-based, and students spend a minimum of 20 hours per week with host teachers in a variety of public school placements. Spring semester coursework includes a ten week, full-time student teaching internship. Infused in all course work and field experiences are five strands of study: technology in the classroom, classroom inquiry, specific content area applications, teaching literacy skills, and diversity issues in the classroom including exceptionalities. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, a candidate may be recommended for a T-5 State of Georgia Teachers Certificate.

This specialty in the M.A.T. program requires acceptance by the School of Education.

I. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION 27 semester hours

EDFS 5203 Learning and the Learner (3 hours)
EDFS 5205 Secondary Curriculum and Methods (3 hours)
EDFS 5209 Culture and Schooling (3 hours)
EDFS 5211 Classroom Research (3 hours)
EDIT 5202 Instructional Technology for Teachers(3 hours)
EDEX 6111 Exceptional Individuals in Regular Classes (3 hours)
EDRD 6150 Literature, Reading, and Writing in Content Fields (3 hours)
EDFS 6466 Student Teaching Internship (6 hours)