Policies for the Master of Education Traditional Class A Certification
Standards, procedures, and requirements outlined here incorporate the rules of the Alabama State Department of Education and lead to certification by the state of Alabama. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that students in the College of Education be familiar with the procedures outlined here.
Traditional Class A Fifth Year Degree
The Master of Education Class A teacher education program is structured so that teachers are able to more effectively serve the purposes defined for the same teaching field at the Class B level. The purpose is to assist teachers in developing higher levels of competence than is possible at the Class B level. This program will lead to a Master’s Degree and teaching certificate and candidates must meet the minimum requirements for this degree at Faulkner University. The Traditional Class A Certificate is offered in Elementary Education.
Admission Requirements
Valid Certificate
A valid bachelor’s level professional educator certificate in the same teaching field in which the Class A certificate is sought is required for unconditional admission to the Teacher Education Program.
English Proficiency Score
Students whose first language is not English must also provide a passing score on the TOEFL. A score of 500 is required of all students for whom English is a second language.
Goals Statement
Applicants must submit a statement of approximately 250 words specifying personal goals for their life as a master teacher and how their teaching and influence will impact the lives of others.
Recommendation Forms
Applicants must provide recommendations from three people who are not relatives of the applicant.
Official recommendation forms can be at this link.
Summary of Required Application Materials
- Completed Application
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Must hold a valid bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university in Elementary Education
- Personal statement of lifetime goals (250 words)
- Three (3) recommendations
- A current Alabama Class B in Elementary Education K-6
Curriculum Requirements
The Master of Education Degree leading to Class A Elementary Certification is a 32-hour program with 12 hours in core courses and 20 more hours being offered in content courses. With a strong core and a variety of content areas, the Traditional Master of Education Degree in Elementary provides a broad base as well as specific content areas to anchor a career as a classroom teacher. There is also room for further growth if the candidate wishes to further his or her education beyond the Master’s Degree.
Course Schedules
The Traditional Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education offers course scheduling which will accommodate students who are involved in full-time professions and/or reside a considerable distance from Montgomery. Five-week courses are offered fully online.
Field and Clinical Experiences
Field and Clinical experiences are an important and integral part of the Teacher Education Program. Field experience hours are to be completed in prescribed education courses. During prescribed courses, students will obtain field experiences in diverse settings. The experiences will provide opportunities for candidates to develop the skills essential for classroom teachers. Field experiences during courses will include instruction, tutoring, or conducting workshops for P-12 pupils. All clinical experiences are designed to be community based, service oriented, and to promote development of Teacher Education candidates’ professional skills and dispositions. The College of Education requires that its students experience a wide variety of clinical experiences, which include students with exceptionalities and students from diverse ethnic, racial, gender, and socioeconomic groups.
Teacher Education Program Admission
The Teacher Education Program admission date is the same as the unconditional admission date to the University.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a Traditional Master of Education degree in Elementary Education, the following requirements are in effect:
- Candidacy and admission into the Teacher Education Program
- Completion of all courses and requirements listed on the appropriate degree plan (including an appropriate Internship)
- Completion of all prescribed field experiences
- Completion of ALSDE Teacher Certification requirements and appropriate paperwork (including fingerprinting and background check release forms)
- Completion of all institutional requirements for graduation, i.e. filing of appropriate forms with the Registrar’s Office, exit interview with the Financial Aid Office, and clearance with the Business Office
- Completion of a capstone portfolio
Certification
Upon completion of program requirements, the candidate will apply for certification in the State of Alabama. Application for Class A Certification should be secured from the College of Education during the final semester. The completed application, official transcripts, a money order from the student, and verification of successful completion of an approved Teacher Education Program are submitted by the College of Education to the ALSDE when all requirements have been satisfied.
Programs of Study
The M.Ed. (Class A Certification) consists of 32 semester hours with the following breakdown: 4 three-hour core courses (12 hours total) and 20 hours of content-specific courses.
The Advanced Certification may be obtained in Elementary Education. Field experience hours are built into required education courses within the Teacher Education Program.
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