Fail Key Assessment 1: When a student fails their first key assessment, they will receive constructive feedback in the form of a Formative Feedback Form from their instructor. The Program Coordinator will also be notified. Additionally, students will be encouraged to submit key assignments ahead of schedule in the subsequent course to seek feedback from the instructor. To further support their progress, students may be directed towards various university resources such as Brainfuse, tutoring services, office hours with the instructor, or any other needed assistance.

Fail Key Assessment 2: In the case of a second key assessment failure, the student will receive a personalized Action Plan to address their challenges and prepare for key assessment 3. This action plan will include strategies to help the student meet the key assessment requirement. Students will identify specific areas of challenge regarding key assessments, and faculty advisors will provide targeted support. Additionally, students will meet with the Program Coordinator to comprehensively address their challenges and explore available support options. If the course instructor allows for revisions, students will have the opportunity to revise their key assessment.

Fail Key Assessment 3: In the unlikely event of a third key assessment failure, a meeting with the faculty will be convened to discuss potential options for the student to continue in the program. Areas of consideration may include whether the student should continue in the program, the need for a brief stop-out period to address challenges, reducing the course load to one class per term, or exploring alternative options.

By adhering to this policy, we aim to provide a structured and supportive environment for our students, helping them successfully navigate the key assessment process and ensuring that they achieve the academic excellence they aspire to. It is our commitment to empower students to excel in their educational journey while providing the necessary resources and guidance along the way.

As a part of your journey towards becoming an accomplished educator, you will complete early field experiences during EDCI 609 and EDCI 616. These experiences are designed to provide you with valuable insights and hands-on exposure to the world of education, helping you grow as a future leader in the field.

EDCI 609 - Field Experience (15 hours)

In EDCI 609, you will engage in a 15-hour field experience that immerses you in the classroom environment. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit classrooms, engage with teachers and students, and explore the diverse landscape of assessment methods, including formal, informal, alternate, alternative, teacher-made, and standardized assessments. Throughout the course, you will work on learning modules that enable you to document your experiences and insights gained from your time in the field.

EDCI 616 - Field Experience (8 hours)

In EDCI 616, you will embark on an 8-hour field experience that takes you into schools and classrooms. During this experience, you will have the chance to engage with school administrators and teachers, focusing on the concept of teacher leadership. Additionally, you will observe various aspects of school culture that support and facilitate the work of teacher leaders. Your goal will be to identify concerns and issues within these settings that can benefit from the influence of teacher leaders operating through professional learning communities. Like EDCI 609, this experience will also require you to document your activities and reflections through learning modules.

 

These early field experiences are invaluable components of your MAEd program, providing you with the practical knowledge and insights necessary to excel in the field of education. We encourage you to embrace these opportunities for growth and development as you work towards your educational goals.

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Application Process

To successfully complete these requirements, you will submit an application through the Office of Field Experiences. Please review the For information on how to complete the application for these courses

The practicum or capstone experiences represent the culmination of your academic endeavors, offering you the chance to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to your chosen field of education.

Special Education

Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Severe to Profound Disabilities, or Gifted Creative and Innovative Education

Practicum (SPED 687 or SPED 500)

Your practicum experience is a 3-credit hour graduate course that serves as a defining moment in your MAEd program. It provides you with a unique opportunity to showcase the advanced teaching skills you have developed, particularly when working with students who have disabilities. Beyond teaching, this course also emphasizes the crucial aspects of data literacy, research, and their practical applications.

During this practicum, you will embark on a journey to make a meaningful impact in your educational setting. You will have the option to choose from various avenues, such as writing a grant, conducting action research, or implementing a study, all of which will allow you to contribute significantly to the field of special education. Collaboration with school personnel will be encouraged, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences.

Furthermore, your practicum will challenge you to embody professional dispositions and standards that are not only reflective of your expertise but also align with the high expectations of your chosen field. Your practicum experience will serve as a testament to your commitment to excellence in education and your ability to effect positive change in the lives of students with disabilities.

Elementary and Middle Grades Education

Capstone (ELMG 697)

Your capstone experience is divided into two parts, with ELMG 697 being the second and final component. In ELMG 609, the initial stage of your capstone journey, you will have identified an area of study within instructional improvement and conducted an exhaustive review of the relevant literature. Based on your findings, you will have formulated a research question with the aim of enhancing that particular area of practice.

Now, in ELMG 697, you will take your research and ideas to the next level. This is where you will have the opportunity to design and implement a comprehensive study to answer your research question, ultimately leading to tangible improvements in instructional practices. Your journey will culminate in the creation of a finalized research paper that encapsulates your capstone project's outcomes and contributions.

 

These practicum and capstone experiences are not just academic milestones; they are transformative opportunities for you to make a lasting impact on the field of education. Through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and dedicated implementation, you will have the chance to contribute to the betterment of educational practices, leaving a lasting legacy as a future educator and leader.

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Application Process

To successfully complete these requirements, you will submit an application through the Office of Field Experiences. Please review the Graduate MAED Practicum/Capstone Application Overview and ensure that you follow the established application deadlines on the Office of Field Experiences website.

Secondary English Education

The comprehensive exams most closely align with "Application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization." 

 

Learn more about the graduate comprehensive exam process on the Secondary English MAEd Comprehensive Exams website by visiting https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/cas/humanities/english/enggrad/comp-exams.aspx