Vermont M.Ed. - Areas of Concentration

Dividing the M.Ed. program into strands provides learners the opportunity to define an area of concentration within the broad field of education. Vermont learners choose from one of five areas related to the study of inquiry and roles in education. A learner pursuing licensure is usually advised to select the strand that best supports his/her area of endorsement. For example, the most efficient path for a student pursuing a teaching endorsement is the Curriculum & Instruction area of concentration.

Licensure Programs
The Vermont-based Master of Education program at UI&U is approved by the State of Vermont to offer recommendation for licensure in the following endorsement areas:

Teaching:
  Art
  Early Childhood
  Elementary Education
  English
  Math
  Middle Grades
  Science
  Social Studies
  Special Education

Administration:
  Principal

Counseling:
  School Counseling

Adult & Higher Education
Designed specifically for learners interested in developing skills and knowledge specific to the fields of adult education or higher education, this strand entails study of the unique qualities of adult learners and the tools available to support them. Learners may elect to study topics related to other strands, such as counseling adult learners or curriculum & instruction in higher education. Those who select this strand pursue careers in areas such as alternative programs serving adult learners or university support services.

Counseling (including School Counseling licensure option)
This area of concentration not only supports those pursuing licensure in school counseling, but also provides professional development opportunities for educators wishing to improve their skills in counseling theory and practice. Specific skills include active listening, effective questioning, and empathic communicating—all useful for developing helping relationships in classrooms and schools, for responding to students’ emotional needs, and for resolving interpersonal conflicts.

Curriculum & Instruction (including teaching licensure options)
All learners pursuing teaching licensure endorsement areas are advised to follow the Curriculum & Instruction area of concentration. This strand is designed to meet Vermont State competencies such as those related to understanding learners, developing curriculum, planning instruction, assessing learning, creating learning communities, and communicating with parents. Learners in this concentration are supported in developing their own philosophical views of curriculum, instruction, and assessment and in applying these views through internships or, in the case of those pursuing professional development, through refinement of ongoing practice.

Educational Leadership (including administrative licensure option)
Through a concentration in leadership, learners hone their skills as leaders and practice them in a variety of educational settings. The M.Ed. Program recognizes that good leadership takes many forms. We consider different leadership models, theories that support them, and case studies demonstrating their applications. Specific areas investigated by learners through coursework and practicum experiences include educational reform, policy, finance, ethics, and sustainability.

Issues in Education (examples include Social Foundation, Multicultural Education, Organizational Development and Change)
This strand is designed to allow educators pursuing professional development to apply knowledge and skills developed through M.Ed. coursework to specific areas of interest or need. For example, a learner might use skills developed in the summer seminar titled Reflection as Empowerment: From Awareness to Agency to identify a set of circumstances that are hindering learners in an institution from reaching their full potential, and then he/she could use further studies to explore alternatives for addressing those circumstances.