http://www.pacific.edu/benerdsac
Location: 3200 Fifth Ave. Sacramento, CA 95817
Programs Offered
Master of Arts (MA) in Education with concentrations in:
- Special Education
Admissions Requirement
- A cumulative GPA of 2.65 or better in all postsecondary coursework or the last 60 units of college or post-baccalaureate work
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- A complete application portfolio to Graduate Admissions: personal statement(s), following program guidelines, official transcripts from all college-level coursework including official verification of the awarding of degrees, resume, and 1-2 completed references forms
- Faculty interview, if required.
- Evidence of qualities and character in keeping with the philosophy and standards of this University and Benerd College
Credentialing and Licensing
Credential programs may be combined with the master’s degree or the doctorate in education. The MA in Education, Teaching concentration, or Special Education concentration, offers programs for earning a Multiple Subject, Single Subject (in selected content areas), and Education Specialist (Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs) credentials. The Counseling Psychology Concentration includes an optional track (beyond the 32 unit minimum) to become eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
Pacific Undergraduate to Master's Pathway
Pacific undergraduates can complete up to 6 units of MA in Leadership coursework as part of a pathway degree program if the student has an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Successful completion of coursework will double count toward the undergraduate degree and graduate degree requirements; credits will not be applied to the graduate transcript until the requirements of the undergraduate degree are met.
Students in the undergraduate Organizational Leadership or Healthcare Administration and Leadership programs can transfer their leadership capstone into the master’s program. Students in other majors can complete up to two LEAD courses as an undergraduate, as part of elective coursework. See the “Program” tab for more information.
Master of Arts in Education
The Master of Arts (MA) in Education requires a minimum of 32 units, of which 18 units must be in courses 200 or above and from the Benerd College, with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Based upon state and federal laws, additional units and requirements may be necessary for those students electing to earn a credential, certification or license along with the graduate degree (e.g., teaching credential, and administration credential). Students interested in earning a credential, certification or license should work closely with their advisor and the credential staff. The requirements of some concentration options may also be guided by external standards that direct completion of specified courses and achievement of specific learning outcomes.
For students entering the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) track within the Counseling Psychology Concentration (see above). EDUC 201 and EDUC 216 may be taken during the student's senior year at Pacific, which will be counted toward the master's and the bachelor's degree.
For students entering the Accelerated Educator Preparation (AEP) pathway degree program, SPED 225X, EDUC 261, SPED 295E, and EDUC 259 may be taken in lieu of the undergraduate course equivalents. These courses will be counted toward the bachelor’s and master’s degree and satisfy requirements for the Education Specialist or Multiple Subject teaching credential.
Unit Requirement: 32
I. Theoretical Core:
| Select one of the following: | 2-4 | |
| Education for a Diverse Democracy | ||
| Seminar: Social Class Effects in Education | ||
| Leading in Diverse Contexts | ||
| Teaching English Learners - Single Subject | ||
| Theories of Multicultural Family Therapy and Collaboration | ||
| Select one of the following: | 2-4 | |
| Curriculum Theory | ||
| Nature and Conditions of Learning | ||
| Teaching Assessment | ||
| Teaching in the Content Areas I | ||
| Organizational Learning | ||
| Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education | ||
II. Field Experience and/or Research:
| Select 4-6 units from the following: | 4-6 | |
| Research Course Options: | ||
| Techniques of Research | ||
| Statistical Thinking and Communication | ||
| Research in Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Teaching as Reflective Inquiry I and Transformational Teaching & Learning and Teaching as Reflective Inquiry III | ||
| Action Research | ||
| Integrative Capstone in Innovative Leadership | ||
or EDUC 296T | Integrative Capstone in Innovative Teaching and Learning | |
| Program Evaluation | ||
Other approved research courses | ||
| Field Experience Course Options: | ||
| Professional Practice | ||
or EDUC 171/271 | Professional Practice Music | |
| Directed Teaching: Special Education | ||
Note: 1.) Students will not receive credit for EDUC 170 /EDUC 270 and EDUC 171/EDUC 271.
III. Capstone Experience
Students will be required to complete a capstone experience (e.g., oral exam, portfolio, thesis, action research project and/or written comprehensive exam). The capstone experience will be determined within each concentration. Some concentrations integrate the Field Experience and Capstone into a course (e.g. EDUC 296, EDUC 296T). Other concentrations have courses with integrative teacher research experiences, which fulfill the capstone requirement (e.g. EDUC 276, or SPED 295A). For students who do not elect not to earn a concentration, his or her advisor will select an appropriate capstone experience.
IV. Concentration
Students may elect to concentrate in one or more specific areas. In order to earn a concentration, students must fulfill the general requirements listed above as well as specific concentration requirements listed below. A single course may be used to fulfill requirements in two or more concentrations, but the units will not count twice.
Core Area Concentrations
| Special Education | ||
| Select 12 units of the following: | 12 | |
| SPED 266 | Building Family & Professional Partnerships | 3 |
| SPED 224 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 228 | Advanced Programming in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 231 | Evidence Based Practices in Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 242 | Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 295A | Seminar: Crucial Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 295E | Positive Behavioral Support in the Classroom | 3 |
| SPED 298M | Directed Teaching: Special Education | 1-10 |
Note: 1.) Specific courses are subject to change as per state requirements. Students must meet all state requirements in order to earn a credential. 2.) Minimum of required 12 units with specific courses determined by state credential requirements and advisers' approval required. Although the Master of Arts in Education requires a minimum of 12 units, credential programs may require additional units. 3.) *If these courses were taken in the undergraduate program, then electives will be required as substitutions.
Program Purpose: To Develop Creative, Flexible, and Caring Leaders
- Lead in an ethical and socially responsible manner
- Utilize inquiry-based approaches to fostering change
- Identify, understand, and utilize cultural differences and perspectives of all stakeholders
- Develop and integrate a critically reflective lens on leadership development
Concentration-specific Outcomes
Develop skills to lead the development of people, performance, and organizations.
