Earning A Master Of Education At Carson-Newman University: Tips For Enrolling And Thriving In An M.Ed. Program 

You love teaching but you’re also ready to level up your educational career. Have you considered pursuing your Master of Education? This degree could be your ticket to a job you adore. Keep reading to learn why the Master of Education is valuable and what it takes to thrive as a graduate student at Carson-Newman University.

The Master of Education at Carson-Newman

Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Education Department at Carson-Newman University provides rigorous yet accessible training. This Christ-focused program helps students develop not only key skills for thriving in a demanding field, but also a Christian perspective to guide their efforts in both public and private education.

Carson-Newman offers several graduate-level options of interest to both current and aspiring education professionals. The Master of Education is primarily designed for PreK-12 teachers who hope to take a step up the career ladder. Often, this means obtaining special credentials that are only available with a master’s degree.

Spanning 36 credit hours over five semesters, the M.Ed. at Carson-Newman appeals greatly to current teachers, who can continue to affect change in the professional sphere while obtaining targeted training.

Online Instruction

Designed to fit the unique needs of the modern working student, the M.Ed. program at Carson-Newman offers courses fully online, which allows you to learn at your own pace without compromising your important day-to-day work as a teacher. 

Master of Education Admissions

Ready to start your journey as an M.Ed. student? First, you’ll need to begin the admissions and enrollment process. Requirements vary between colleges, so examine admissions information carefully to verify you are a desirable fit for a particular Master of Education program. 

As you prepare your application, keep the following requirements in mind:

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year, regionally accredited institution, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (or a GPA of 3.00 from the most recently obtained 60 credits)
• Collection of transcripts from all educational institutions
• Verification of employment in a K-12 school or successful completion of a background check

Applications can be completed online. You’ll need to submit details about your academic background, your place of employment, and your teaching license. Don’t forget to highlight your intentions for wanting to pursue a higher degree. 

Master of Education Coursework

Once you’re admitted to the M.Ed. program, you’ll set a strong foundation with common core classes, such as:

• Effective Home, School, Community Relations
• Evaluation for Continuous Improvement or Evaluation of Learning
• Foundations of Leadership
• Techniques for Inclusion of Diverse Learners

These essential courses expose you to the most fascinating and relevant research on the modern educational system. Meanwhile, you’ll foster strong relationships with influential professionals.

Beyond this, your graduate experience will largely depend on which area of emphasis you select. This, in turn, depends on your professional goals. Top specialties within Carson-Newman’s M.Ed. program include:

Educational Leadership

Special Education

Coaching

Reading Specialist

Teaching English as a Second Language

Succeeding in a Master of Education Program

The Master of Education is a rigorous graduate program that requires a sizable commitment. As with any academic endeavor, however, your hard work will be abundantly rewarded. The more you dive into your courses and research opportunities, the richer your understanding of the educational system will ultimately be.

An exceptional level of commitment may be required, but this doesn’t mean that pursuing an M.Ed. needs to feel stressful or overwhelming. You will receive extensive support every step of the way. What’s more, you will be surrounded by like-minded professionals who are also excited to make a difference.

Your new professional community will take you far, but you’ll also find the M.Ed. program easier to navigate if you follow these key suggestions:

Double-Down on University-Based Networking

Once your M.Ed. program begins, make every effort to develop strong relationships with instructors and fellow students. Not only could these connections prove invaluable in years to come, but they can also take the place of ordinary networking initiatives. If you interact with the field’s most talented professionals every day, the need to scout connections online may feel less urgent.

Networking can look a bit different in online courses, but close connections are still within reach. Online discussions are a core component of both digital and hybrid coursework, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in this unique format.

Draw on Your Current Experiences as a Teacher

The insights you gain through your graduate-level coursework can be immediately applied to your current professional endeavors. Similarly, you’ll find your coursework more compelling if you contextualize based on the challenges you encounter every day in the classroom and beyond. Courses such as Integrating Research and Learning will help you pinpoint actionable steps. The result? Bringing the theoretical knowledge you’ve acquired as a graduate student to your everyday work in education.

Dedicate Time to Personal Reflection and Prayer

Life as an M.Ed. student may seem hectic, but it’s important to step back on occasion and reflect on your professional and academic endeavors. Set aside time to reflect and pray about how your philosophy of education has shifted since enrolling. Consider how your newfound insights will impact your day-to-day strategies as a teacher or a specialist — and how you can draw on your training to drive positive change.

Keep Your Passion for Education at the Forefront

Absorbed by the daily challenges of juggling grad school and teaching, you may sometimes struggle to remember why you’ve taken on such a heavy load. In these moments, think back to your most treasured memories as an educator. Consider the bonds you’ve built with students — and the challenges you’ve helped them face.

Now, think about the obstacles still encountered by students and teachers alike. Remember, with targeted training, you can drive far-reaching changes on both a personal and community level. Your efforts to level up your training will make a discernible impact on the lives of the students you serve.

If you are interested in learning more about the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program, reach out to Carson-Newman University, request more information today.