Master of Education Degree Programs

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Graduate Education Program

Masters Degrees in Education

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Park University Graduate School
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Kansas City, MO 64105
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The graduate faculty of the School of Education at Park University attempt to bring the best and most current practices to the classroom, in order to enable educators to bring the best to their students. Faculty is committed to the belief that education can improve the lives of students and, in turn, positively impact our society.

As practicing educators, the faculty is aware of the demanding schedule that teachers maintain. Therefore, Graduate education programs have been designed to be accessible to the working professional. They are generally offered in an eight week format, one night per week. Because of the intensive format, flexibility in enrollment is provided by allowing a student to drop out for a term, with no penalty when the student returns.

Graduate Education programs are structured to utilize the educational experiences of the students in the program. Degrees are designed to allow students to explore issues, design curriculum and learn new strategies and techniques that will enable them to become more effective educators, through the application of theory and new research to their educational practice. Students maintaining enrollment of one course per eight week fall and spring terms, and two courses in the summer, may complete the degree in two calendar years.

The programs have been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Vision

The School of Education at Park University is to be known as a leader in the preparation of educators who will address the needs, challenges, and possibilities of the 21st century.

Mission

The School of Education at Park University, an institution committed to diversity and best practices, prepares educators to be effective teachers, leaders in their communities, change agents in their schools, and advocates for learners.

The vision and mission statements of the School of Education grow out of the developmental model for educational practice. Educators are professionals who are responsible for student learning, utilizing the most current research and practice. They facilitate that learning as they find their own unique talents and bring them to their unique educational environments.

The goal of the graduate education program is to contribute to the empowerment of educators, so that they can become change agents in their school environments and advocates for their students. The program uses an action/reflection model that encourages educators to review their practice, evaluate it, gather new information and, then, revise and implement it. It is a recursive process that should continue throughout one's career.

In every profession, there is a generative process in which practitioners desire to pass on, to subsequent generations, their acquired knowledge and skills. Part of the maturity developed in practice is the willingness to mentor others in the profession. The graduate program encourages educators to develop these and other leadership skills, so that they make a lasting contribution to the field of education.

Graduate Education Goals

Consistent with the Mission Statement of Park University, Graduate Education programs contain the following goals.

To meet the educational needs of our growing and culturally diverse community.
To offer a high quality program that is accessible to professional educators.
To prepare professional educators to work in a diverse and technological environment.
To develop well-rounded educators who will be prepared to address current social and educational issues in a professional and problem-solving manner.
To offer master's degrees in a convenient format and at convenient times for working educators.

Graduate Education: Underlying Assumptions and Objectives

Graduate Education programs have underlying assumptions which are a continuation of undergraduate assumptions with the emphasis being on development of professional capabilities that enhance educational practice and promote leadership ability.
Graduate education is a continuation of a process begun in undergraduate education.
Educators need to have general education, professional expertise (both theoretical and practical), and should be scholars in their subject area.
Knowledge and expertise should be integrated in the educators' practice in their educational environments.
Graduate education should encourage educators to participate in lifelong learning that enhances educational practice.
Graduate education should be an empowering experience that enables educators to empower students as learners.
Graduate education should enable practicing educators to develop a voice in the profession and to become leaders in educational change.
Graduate education should empower learners to become problem solvers who are able to address the complex issues present in the school setting.

Consequently the professional educator is one who:

Serves as a role model while completing his/her educational responsibilities.
Becomes a mentor in the process of education.
Acts as a facilitator who establishes an optimal developmental environment that meets individual learner's needs.
Counsels, assists and listens to students, pre-service teachers, and colleagues with whom he/she works.
Becomes a liaison between the local school, higher education and the community in which he/she lives and works.
Demonstrates the qualities of an educator who is a critical thinker, problem solver, scholar, and decision maker.
Serves as a change agent in identifying and developing solutions to issues that impact education.

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