The Department of Educational Theory and Practice

Dr. Tony Hecimovic, Chairperson
COE 278, 406-657-2315

Professors:  David Davison^, Anton Hecimovic,Sharon Hobbs, Russell Lord*, Kenneth Miller, Dixie Metheny^
Associate Professors:  Susan Barfiled, Judith McEnany
Assistant Professors:  Natalie Bohlmann, Cindy Dell
Lecturers: Lynette Schwalbe
Adjunct Instructor: Katherine Holt**
Emeritus:  Harold Davidson, Lowell Dunlop, Richard Gruber, Stanley Heywood, Marlene LaCounte, Harry Lee, Earl Warne

*Joint Appointment with Health and Human Performance
^Joint Appointment with Mathematics
**Joint Appointment with Office of Licensure, Standards and Clinical Practice

The department offers and administers the following Graduate Degree programs:

Master of Education degree and licensure programs with options in:

• Curriculum and Instruction K-8
• Educational Technology
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Interdisciplinary Studies:Teacher Licensure Program of Study

Certificate of Teaching & Learning Online

Department Mission
The Mission of the Department of Educational Theory and Practice is to prepare teachers who evidence the highest ideals of the teaching profession.  This mission involves leading prospective teachers to examine the complex ways in which diverse disciplines interrelate and provide the foundations of all education.  Study in the department’s courses is intended to prepare professional educators for insightful, critical examination of the principles and practices that they encounter in their careers.
Offerings in the Department are based on the assumptions that teaching excellence depends upon:

1. celebration of the dignity of all individuals and cultural groups;
2. comprehensive understanding of subject matter;
3. knowledge of human intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual development; and
4. thoughtful, informed decisions about pedagogy.

Graduate Outcomes
As part of their professional and pedagogical development, graduate students will:

• ▪ Locate, read, and evaluate relevant professional and academic literature (addresses Framework Area #1: Research and Professional Inquiry from COE Advanced Conceptual Framework).

• ▪ Demonstrate understanding of similarities and differences in human learning and development (addresses Framework Area #2: Human Development and Learning from COE Advanced Conceptual Framework).

• ▪ Demonstrate mastery in subject area content knowledge, understanding, and skill in applying that knowledge and understanding (addresses Framework Area #3: Professional Knowledge Base from COE Advanced Conceptual Framework).

• ▪ Demonstrate professionalism that extends beyond technically accurate knowledge and effective skills.

• ▪ Integrate extant theory and evidence into one’s professional activities.

• ▪ Critically analyze policy and one’s own practice in light of professional standards and applicable policy (addresses Framework Area #4: Professionalism from COE Advanced conceptual Framework).

These outcomes assume familiarity with Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards.

Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree are as follows:

1. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
2. Graduate GPA of at least 3.25.
3. Standardized Exam: PRAXIS II for candidates seeking licensure; GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for candidates in non-licensure degree programs.
4. Three letters of recommendation

Students must meet all four of the criteria or seek a College of Education Graduate Committee waiver.

NEXT: Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction (K-8)