91AV

• MSEd with a concentration in Career & Technical Education
  The Career & Technical Education (CTE) concentration is designed for practicing CTE instructors who wish to enhance their CTE knowledge and skills. The focus of the program is on improving instructional and curricular competencies as well as the development of leadership skills.  Participants will develop the capability to make use of research findings relevant to the CTE classroom. The program provides an opportunity for CTE instructors to establish collaborative relationships with colleagues from across the nation and world.
• MSEd with a concentration in Curriculum & Instruction Strategies
  Curriculum & Instruction Strategies is for K-12 educators who wish to focus on strengthening their classroom in those challenging areas of literacy and inclusion with a course on instructional leadership examining how one can impact curriculum beyond the single classroom. Includes methods and strategies for teaching all students in inclusion settings with a special course on the range and use of assistive technologies.  Study skills and literacy interventions that can be used within the content area will be explored.
• MSEd with a concentration in Educational Leadership
  The Educational Leadership concentration is designed for K-12 educators who are considering school administration.  These courses are matched to the national standards set by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and provide entry-level knowledge and skills for beginning school administrators.  Teachers will be introduced to the theories and practices of effective leadership centering on the importance of team building, decision making, problem solving and strategic planning.  Within these areas, focus is placed on supervision and evaluation of personnel, the legal milieu and analysis skills to interpret potential legal issues within the school, budget development and expenditure, and organization theory especially as it relates to change.  Specific state requirements for entry level into the assistant principal or principal level should be consulted to ensure requirements for your locale will be met.  Additional courses in Educational Leadership are available for further study.
• MSEd with a concentration in Inclusion Education
  The Inclusion Education concentration is designed for those regular educators, both teachers and administrators, who wish to have more background in special education with respect to inclusion practices and concerns.  This unique concentration explores methods and strategies for teaching all students in inclusion settings with a special course on the range and use of assistive technologies.  Furthermore, formal and informal procedures for assessing special needs students will be reviewed with a focus always on utilizing the results to inform and plan instruction.
• MSEd with a concentration in Literacy (K-12)
  The Literacy concentration is designed for those K-12 educators who wish to delve deeper into the importance of reading and writing for all students to be successful.  Current research and theory are translated into practice with each and every class.  Teachers will be coached to implement these strategies and join colleagues on-line to critique the outcome.  Additionally, assessment in literacy will be linked to next steps in connecting data to teaching practice.  Study skills and literacy interventions that can be used within the content area will be explored.  In short, the basic premise of this concentration is that literacy skills are central for all students to succeed, so how do we transform what the research indicates to inform practice.

• MSEd with a concentration as a Reading Specialist (K-12)
  Success in today’s world depends on highly developed literacy skills where students need to be competent in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in order to be college and career ready. As a result of the high stakes of students’ literacy achievement, many school districts have looked to Reading Specialists/ Literacy Coaches to improve the literacy growth and success for all of their K-12 students. This program will prepare you to become certified as a Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach in a K-12 setting.

The MSEd programs are approved by the Maine State Board of Education. All programs at the 91AV are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Requirements for admission  

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Minimum of one year teaching experience.
• Employed as a teacher or ability to access a classroom on a regular basis over an extended period of time.
• Strong writing skills, the capacity to succeed in a distance education format, and a commitment to educational change and professional development as evidenced by your goal statement submitted at the time of application.

91AV carefully assesses MSED applicants on the basis of evidence provided in all application materials submitted. Therefore, while a personal interview is not required, application materials submitted must be prepared thoroughly and thoughtfully for full consideration. Additional prerequisites to participate in one of the on-line Master of Science in Education programs include but may not be limited to:

• A sincere interest in continuing professional development as an educational leader.
• The potential to improve practice through application of new knowledge and skills.
• Current employment in an educational setting where you have regular access to an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• The ability to pursue challenging online graduate study.
• Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web and effectively participate in an on-line program.
• Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection and with the hardware and software requirements described on the  
• Motivation to complete all course assignments in a satisfactory and timely manner.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through 91AV’s only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the Office of Online Worldwide Learning, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the MSED program six (6) times a year: Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See .
• All applicants to 91AV must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  91AV accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see English Proficiency requirement must be completed at the time of application.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the

advanced standing/transfer credit/experiential credit

No transfer credit, advanced standing status, or credit for experiential learning is accepted into the on-line MSED programs. Full participation in the MSED curriculum is necessary to achieve the desired integration of theory and practice the program provides.

Policy exceptions

The Master of Science in Education program and the MSED Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

No transfer credit, advanced standing status or credit for experiential learning is accepted into the on-line MSEd programs. Full participation in the MSEd curriculum is necessary to achieve the desired integration of theory and practice the program provides.

Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B or better) with no less than a “C” in any course. Failure to maintain a GPA of 3.0 will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Students receiving a grade below a “C” in a course must repeat the course before continuing on in the program.  If a student receives an “F” in any course he/she will be immediately placed on academic probation. This student must register and pass the failed course with grade of “C” or better before registering for any additional credits.  Unsuccessful completion (C- or below) of two courses will result in ineligibility to continue in the program.

If a student feels the grade is in error, the first step in the appeal process is to discuss the outcome with the course instructor.  If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, the student should follow the grievance policy outlined in the program of study found on the website.

After completing the MSE program, students should be able to: 

1. address the full range of student motivation and differentiation issues encountered in today's school systems
2. analyze and conduct research relevant to their teaching or administrative interests
3. document professional development in the program via an electronic portfolio of course work
4. demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about their chosen concentration area
5. exhibit leadership in their classroom and/or school system
6. develop online collaborative relationships with peers 

Course Withdrawal Policy

The last date to withdraw from a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course.  Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal.  Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program will occur when the Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Education Department become aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)
• Serious reservations identified on the Professional Performance Student Self-Assessment and Review instrument.
• Academic failure (see “Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress”.)

Timeline for Completion/Leave of Absence

A student who has not completed the MSEd Program within three (3) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission. Students are required to take a course every term, otherwise they must request a Leave of Absence, or be withdrawn from the program.  Students may take a slightly reduced course load in any term if necessary. These arrangements are the responsibility of the student and must be communicated in writing to the graduate program coordinator.

Students may “stop out” for one term, if necessary, and take an additional term to complete the program. The required Request for Leave of Absence form must be filed with the MSEd office and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences if this will be occurring.  Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned; however, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Policy on leave of absence tuition credit is found in respective Financial Information sections of this catalog. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Dean's Office and  the Education Department to indicate change of plans.

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the  program.

Academic Honesty Policy

The 91AV regards academic integrity as an essential component to the educational process. Charges of academic dishonesty will be handled through the dean of the appropriate college. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
• Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
• Action that destroys or alters the work of another student.
• Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
• Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

It is expected that students will accurately and correctly document all academic resources. APA format is the required style for citing sources and establishing a bibliography.

Documented instances of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by 91AV administrators. Violation of the academic honesty policy will result in a grade of "F" being issued for the course involved. A student who has violated the academic honesty policy may also be dismissed from the program and the university.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.